FMU president announces record enrollment, welcomes new faculty

FLORENCE — Francis Marion University is boasting a projected student enrollment increase of more than 7 percent, resulting in a record high overall enrollment of 4,231 students for the fall.

This year’s freshman class of 784 students represents a 15 percent increase from last year, according to a press release from the university. Classes started Wednesday.

The announcement was made when FMU President Dr. Fred Carter welcomed new and returning members of the faculty during a ceremony Tuesday.

Carter commending the campus community for its hard work in the midst of a series of state funding reductions in the previous academic year.

He also assured the faculty that the security of their positions would be a priority of the university in the current year.

“I believe that it’s my responsibility to be innovative enough to absorb cuts without jeopardizing your jobs or salaries,” Carter said in the release. “I will make you a promise. If we are ever obligated to furlough or layoff an employee for economic reasons, I’ll be the first to go.”

He also praised the enrollment management and admissions staff, led by Kenneth Kitts, FMU associate provost for academic affairs and enrollment management, and James Schlimmer, FMU director of admissions, for their extraordinary recruitment efforts.

Carter credited a significant portion of the 7 percent rise in student enrollment over last year to the quality of FMU faculty and academic programs.

“Francis Marion’s success in attracting and retaining students can be attributed to our exceptional faculty, our outstanding academic programs, and the diversity and intellectual excitement of our academic community,” he said.

Carter said FMU’s faculty has established one of the most effective systems of shared governance in the state.

“The climate of good humor, trust and respect that characterizes relationships throughout this university is illustrative of the entire faculty governance process,” he said. “It’s almost a decade old now, and it grows stronger and more progressive each year.”

To accommodate the university’s growth, FMU Provost Richard Chapman and department chairs introduced 10 new faculty members for the 2009-2010 school year.

Jacqueline G. Campbell of Clearwater, Fla., is an assistant professor of history. She earned an Associate of Arts from St. Petersburg College, Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of South Florida and Master of Arts and doctorate in history from Duke University.

Marie H. DeVincenzo of Salt Lake City is an assistant professor of marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in environment and behavior, Master of Science in family ecology and doctorate in business administration from the University of Utah.

Paolo A. Gualdi of Athens, Ga., is an assistant professor of music. He earned his Master of Music in piano performance from Carnegie Mellon University and the Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance.

Erica Hernandez of Winter Park, Fla., is an assistant professor of psychology. She earned Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Rice University and Master of Arts and doctrate in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Jessica Labbé of Greensboro, N.C., is an assistant professor of English. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in women’s studies, a Bachelor of Arts in literature and Master of Arts in creative writing from Florida State University. She earned her doctorate in 20th Century American Literature from the University of South Carolina.

Shannon W. Levitzke of Winterville, Ga., is an assistant professor of English. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Auburn University and is pursuing a doctorate in English from the University of Georgia.

John P. Ludlam of Fayetteville, Ark., is an assistant professor of biology. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Gordan College and doctorate in biology from the University of Arkansas.

First Lt. Emily Lynds of Conway is an assistant professor of military science. She earned Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Montana State University.

Nicholas Newman of Auburn, Ala., is an assistant professor of mathematics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Troy State University and Master of Science and doctorate in discrete mathematics from Auburn University.

Michele L. Shamlin of Florence is an assistant professor of education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the College of Charleston, Master of Education in elementary education from FMU and doctorate in elementary education from the University of South Carolina.

Lorianne S. Turner of Moncks Corner has joined the faculty as a biology instructor, while J. Antonio Falvino Valero of Conway has been named assistant men’s soccer coach and Tiffany D. Tucker of Florence has been named assistant women’s basketball coach.