FMU’s fall semester begins with substantial scholarship funding, new facilities, and academic opportunities

Francis Marion’s fifty-fifth academic year is officially underway, and with it, comes substantial funding, new facilities, and additional academic opportunities.

On Monday morning, FMU President Fred Carter welcomed the faculty and provided updates during the university’s annual faculty welcome event.

During his remarks, Carter praised the faculty for their research and teaching accomplishments over the late spring and summer. He recognized fourteen faculty members for the publication of books and other research work, as well as a number of faculty who were recipients of national and regional honors and awards. He also commended the faculty for the specific work they did in receiving external grant funding, most notably to expand research on student involvement in automated learning and provide public health and emergency preparedness training to 165 health sciences students. 

This year, the university received state appropriations of $2.8 million in new recurring funding and $8 million in new capital funding. Carter applauded the continuing support of the legislative delegation and noted that this year’s funding allowed the university to enhance faculty and staff compensation substantially, while maintaining more than $1 million in faculty research and service support.

“Our best researchers happen to be our best teachers, and our best teachers are frequently our most prolific researchers,” said Carter.

Carter also spoke on the university’s commitment to scholarship funding.

“The commitment that we make toward student scholarships is compelling,” said Carter. “This year, we will spend more than $4.4 million institutionally on scholarship support beyond state and federal support. Altogether, our students will receive a total of more than $28.5 million in scholarships.”

Three new academic programs are beginning this fall. The university’s third doctoral program, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, welcomed its inaugural cohort to campus. Two new undergraduate programs in criminal justice and autism studies are also in place. 

The university established its first International Study Center (ISC) at its field research site in Ecuador this spring. This ISC will receive recurring funding to develop and sustain its own group travel and study programs. The university plans to add a second ISC later this year, with a third to follow in 2025. These programs will most likely be located on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and in Landau, Germany.

In addition, the university’s first Asian collaboration will begin during this academic year with a spring semester study and research trip to universities in Thailand. 

Carter also announced the appointment of two new Trustee Research Scholars, Dr. Deborah Hopla and Dr. Jeannette Myers. 

“Both Deb and Jeannette have been responsible for bringing substantial grant support and sponsored research funding to the university and have established academic programs that have become a signature part of this institution,” said Carter. “Seldom do I brag about the accomplishments of the university without bringing one or both of their names into the conversation.”

Carter concluded his remarks by thanking Ralph Davis, vice president for Construction and Facilities, for the work he and his team have done in completing numerous campus construction and beautification projects, including the new School of Business/School of Education Building.

He also announced that the new School of Business/School of Education Building will include spaces named in memory of two late faculty members, Dr. Cindy Nixon from the School of Education and Dr. Regina Yanson from the School of Business. 

“In November, I’ll ask the Trustees to name the atrium in honor of Cindy, and I will ask them to name that elegant conference room where many collaborative deals will be struck in the future after Regina,” said Carter. “Then we’ll have the building perfectly right – with the two of them being an enduring part of it.”

In addition to Carter’s remarks, nineteen new faculty members were introduced, and thirteen faculty members were recognized for their years of service to the state of South Carolina.

Ten Years

Dr. Jessica M. Gause, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Megan E. Woosley-Goodman, Associate Professor of English

Dr. Rachel Spear Cole, Associate Professor of English

Twenty Years

Dr. Gregory S. Pryor, Professor of Biology

Dr. Tamatha R. Barbeau, Professor of Biology

Dr. Jennifer G. Kelley, Chair of Chemistry and Professor of Chemistry

Dr. T. Alissa Warters, Provost

Dr. Jo Angela Edwins, Professor of English

Dr. Matthew C. Nelson, Professor of English

Thirty Years

Ms. Pamela P. Turner, Assistant Professor of Business

Dr. Jeffrey D. Camper, Professor of Biology

Dr. Samuel H. Howell, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts

Forty Years

Dr. Barbara L. Holliman, Associate Professor of Chemistry