Francis Marion presents alumni awards at annual Alumni Awards Gala

Francis Marion University honored Kathy S. Heustess (’81) as its 2018 Outstanding Alumnus at the University’s annual Alumni Awards Gala.

Huestess was one of five FMU alums honored at the March 1 event held at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence.

Heustess graduated from Francis Marion University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration .She is the President and Chief Executive Office of ArborOne Farm Credit in Florence, a position she’s held since 2012.

Heustess has worked in the Farm Credit System since 1989 and held positions in various department including accounting, reporting, operations, credit, marketing, information management and human resources. Heustess held the positions of Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Leslie Frinks  received the Professional Industry Achievement Award in Medical & Health Sciences. She graduated from Francis Marion University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree Magna Cum Laude. Frinks is currently an assistant professor of clinical neuropsychiatry and behavioral science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia.

Dr. Randal S. Voss received the Professional Industry Achievement Award in Natural & Behavioral Sciences. He graduated from Francis Marion University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is a researcher at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, in Lexington, Ky.

Robert G. Ardis, III received the Professional Industry Achievement Award in Business & Industry and is currently the president and chief executive officer for Santee Electric Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Kingstree. He graduated from Francis Marion University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics and again in 2016  with a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management.

Katelyn Poston Robinson received the Benjamin Wall Ingram III Young Alumnus Award. Robinson received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2013 and received a Master’s of Science in Nurse Education in 2017 – both from Francis Marion University. She is currently a nurse practitioner at Palmetto Health in Columbia.