FMU opens new School of Business/School of Education Building

On Thursday, Francis Marion University held its quarterly Board of Trustees meeting and retreat at The Cottage on FMU’s campus.

During the meeting, the Trustees approved the next phase of renovation of the Village Apartments in accordance with the Campus Development Plan.

Following the meeting, an open house for the new School of Business/School of Education Building was held. The 54,000 square-foot, $23 million project, funded entirely by the state, opened for classes in August.

“The opening of this beautiful new building marks a significant addition to our campus,” said FMU President Fred Carter. “This facility allows us to expand our educational infrastructure substantially, while recognizing extraordinary trustees and faculty who have played vital roles in the development of the University and its programs.”

Two members of the Board of Trustees, four retired faculty members, and one current member of the faculty were recognized with the naming of facilities in their honor during the event.

The Robert E. Lee School of Business Wing is named in honor of Robert Lee who has served on the FMU Board of Trustees for over two decades. Lee first assumed the Chairmanship of the Board in 1999 during a crucial period in the University’s history. At that time and during subsequent decades, his leadership has led to the development of substantial changes in the governance and curricula of the university. A distinguished attorney, he is a proud alumnus and graduate of FMU’s School of Business.

Dr. Randall Dozier was honored with the naming of the H. Randall Dozier School of Education Wing. Dozier currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, a position he has held multiple times during his tenure on the Board. His energetic and decisive leadership has been instrumental to the growth and prosperity of the University. An alumnus of FMU’s School of Education, he has devoted his career to educating the citizens of South Carolina both as a teacher and an educational administrator.

The Dr. Dorothy M. Harris Auditorium is named for Faculty Emeriti Dorothy Harris who served as a professor of Education for twenty-six years where she was instrumental in educating thousands of inspiring teachers. Her knowledge and expertise led to the development of the university’s first Early Childhood Education program.

Shirley Carr Bausmith, who served as a faculty member and Dean of the School of Education from 2003 until her retirement in 2017, was honored with the naming of the Dr. Shirley Carr Bausmith Classroom. Her visionary and energetic leadership led to the growth of the School of Education and meaningful changes in its structure and programs.

The Dr. Stephen E. Taylor Classroom is named in honor of Stephen Taylor who served as a professor of Education for thirty-one years. A highly inspiring professor, he prepared generations of teachers to educate some of the most vulnerable student populations across the region and the state, and has been widely recognized by the profession for his expertise in divergent learning strategies.

The Kay Lawrimore-Belanger Classroom honors Dr. Kay Lawrimore-Belanger who has been instrumental in the education of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students within the School of Business. Recognized for her innovative and creative approach to teaching marketing strategies and techniques, her commitment and devotion to the education of her students has led generations of her graduates to successful and rewarding careers.

Dr. Ben L. Kyer was honored with the naming of the Ben L. Kyer Classroom. A member of the School of Business faculty for thirty-five years, Kyer’s teaching, research, and service contributed to the education and career success of generations of students. He is an inspiring teacher and nurturing mentor who has been regarded as one of the finest professors at the university.

With the completion of this new building, there are now thirty-six facilities (buildings, labs, classrooms, and dormitories) on campus named after university faculty and staff.

“I am pleased that the Trustees have seen fit to honor so many of our outstanding faculty and staff members by naming facilities in their honor,” said Carter. “The faculty and staff are at the very core of this institution and the foundation upon which the university is built.”