February 27, 2025
FMU Presents 2025 Marion Medallion Awards
The 14th annual Marion Medallion awards ceremony was held at the FMU Performing Arts Center on February 27, 2025. Debbie Wall, founder of the SC Senior Sports Classic, and the Miracle League of Florence County were this year’s recipients.
Debbie Wall has dedicated much of her life to inspiring others through sport. In 1985, she created the Senior Sports Classic to fill a need for programs for senior citizens in the area. The event initially began as a one-day competition for adults over 60. Today, it has expanded into a multi-week event that covers the state and has twenty sports.
The Miracle League of Florence County was formed in the fall of 2014 when a group of people came together to ensure that their children and others with physical and mental challenges had the opportunity to play baseball. What began as a small group has grown to over 250 athletes each season.
Francis Marion University and the Morning News have presented the Marion Medallion award annually since 2012 to recognize Pee Dee area citizens who have made sustained and significant contributions to improve the region and the lives of its residents. The award is given each year on or about February 27, Francis Marion Day.
To read more about Debbie Wall, click here.
To read more about the Miracle League of Florence County, click here.
Past Marion Medallion award recipients include:
2012
Kathy Baxley
Henry Johnson & Heyward King
2013
Bill and Olive Timberlake
Ralph Porter
2014
Henry Badie & Clyde Odom
Henry Brunson
2015
John and Vicki Kirby
Paige Alexander, Deanna Strickland
2016
Carlos Washington
Manna House
2017
Regi Armstrong
Carl Harmon
Courtney Graham (posthumously)
2018
W.O. “Billy” Powers
Help 4 Kids
2019
Chuck McNeil
Parking Lot Ministry
2020
Mayor Stephen Wukela
Allen Floyd
2021
Allie E. Brooks
Hope Health
2022
Jean Leatherman
Ellen Hamilton
2023
Tim Norwood
Jim Brown
Pat Gibson-Hye Moore
2024
Morah Horowitz
Jayne Boswell