Francis Marion University Welcomes Fall Semester with Scholarships and New Facilities

Francis Marion University Welcomes Fall Semester with Scholarships and New Facilities

Florence, SC – Francis Marion University (FMU) has begun its 55th academic year with remarkable funding, new facilities, and extended academic opportunities. This fall, the university received state appropriations of $2.8 million in new recurring funding and $8 million in new capital funding.

University’s Annual Faculty Welcome Event

FMU President, Fred Carter, attended the annual faculty welcome event, acknowledging the faculty members for their significant research and teaching achievements over the late spring and summer. He further recognized 14 faculty members who published books and performed other research work, as well as faculty members who received national and regional honors and awards.

The institution appreciated the faculty’s efforts in external grant funding, notably towards expanding research on student involvement in automated learning and providing public health and emergency preparedness training to 165 health sciences students.

Support for Student Scholarships

The President highlighted the university’s commitment to scholarship funding during his speech. He stated that the university this year will invest more than $4.4 million in scholarship support besides the state and federal support. Altogether, the students will be awarded over $28.5 million in scholarships.

New Academic Programs

FMU is introducing three new academic programs this fall. The initial cohort for the institution’s third doctoral program, the Doctor of Occupational Therapy, was welcomed on campus. Two undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice and Autism Studies have also been added.

International Study Center and Collaboration

The first international study center (ISC) was established at FMU’s field research site in Ecuador this spring. The ISC will receive recurring funding to develop and sustain its group travel and study programs. The university is also planning to launch a second ISC later this year, and another one in 2025. These programs will most likely be located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and in Landau, Germany. Furthermore, a collaboration with universities in Thailand will begin this academic year with a spring semester study and research trip.

New Trustee Research Scholars Appointments

President Carter announced two new Trustee Research Scholars, Dr. Deborah Hopla and Dr. Jeannette Myers, who have brought substantial grant support and sponsored research funding to the university. These appointments showcase the institution’s dedication and commitment to academic reformation and research.

New Campus Construction and Beautification Projects

The university has also acknowledged the fruitful efforts of Ralph Davis, vice president for construction and facilities, for completing numerous campus construction and beautification projects, including the new School of Business/School of Education Building. The new facility will honor two late faculty members, Cindy Nixon and Regina Yanson, by naming spaces after them.

Celebrating faculty members’ services, 19 new faculty members were introduced, and 13 faculty members were recognized for their years of service to South Carolina. The event reflected FMU’s dedication towards expanding educational opportunities and enhancing the academic landscape of the institution.