FMU begins its 56th academic year with announcements on funding, scholarships, and new International Study Centers
Francis Marion University has officially opened its fifty-sixth academic year, welcoming faculty back to campus with announcements on funding, scholarships, and the establishment of new International Study Centers (ISC).
During Monday morning’s annual faculty welcome breakfast, FMU President Fred Carter praised the university’s faculty for their remarkable accomplishments over the past year. FMU faculty collectively published 92 refereed articles, chapters, and poems, and participated in 63 artistic performances, exhibitions, shows, and recitals.
Carter also shared significant funding news. This year, the university received $2.89 million in new recurring state appropriations and $7.75 million in nonrecurring funds. Of the recurring funds, $1 million was used to provide all faculty and staff with a 3% pay increase – 50% higher than increases received by other state agency employees. FMU has provided salary increases to its employees for 25 consecutive years.
The $7.75 million in nonrecurring funds will support renovations to the McNair Science Building, Leatherman Science Facility, and Hyman Fine Arts Building, as well as the construction of pedestrian crosswalks connecting the main campus to the Griffin Athletic Complex.
Highlighting the university’s ongoing commitment to affordability, Carter noted that FMU students are benefiting from record scholarship support.
“Last year, we committed more scholarship funding to our students than ever before. This year, we maintained it,” said Carter. “Altogether, our students are recipients of more than $27M in university, foundation, state, and federal scholarships. Those are scholarships, not simply loans. No payback is required.”
Carter also announced the creation of two new ISCs following the success of FMU’s first ISC at Wildsumaco in Ecuador. The new Centers will be established at the University of Prince Edward Island and at Landau University in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. These ISCs will supplement traditional exchange sites as they provide a more extensive international travel study opportunity for students.
“These ISCs are designed a little differently than other student travel opportunities,” said Carter. “Their goal is to provide more consistent and affordable options for students. Ultimately, they will provide a more extensive international opportunity, while easing the financial burden.”
During his remarks, Carter also urged the faculty to keep their eyes on the university’s mission and purpose.
“Our job is to teach our students to use their minds to establish their values and form their own belief systems,” said Carter. “We do that with meaningful instruction and research, powerful ideas, and strong and persuasive voices. That’s our prize, and it’s one of the most compelling obligations in society. Let’s keep our eyes on it.”
In addition to Carter’s remarks, 12 new faculty members were introduced. 15 faculty members were recognized for their years of service to the State of South Carolina.
Ten Years of Service
Patricia Boatwright
Jason Marley
Jennifer Lyles
Kimberly McCuiston
Nicole Panza
Jeremy Rentsch
David Washington
Dorie Weaver
Twenty Years of Service
Rhonda Brogdon
Faith Keller
Padmaja Rao
Yong Bum Shin
Thirty Years of Service
Tammy Pawloski
Forty Years of Service
Kay Belanger
Glen Gourley
