People in the News for April 22

McKnight graduates basic combat training

Army Pvt. Sedrick T. McKnight has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Genovia McKnight of Sumter and grandson of Blondell McKnight of Olanta and is a 2005 graduate of Crestwood High School in Sumter.

Cain earns Lander academic honors

Lander University recently announced its president’s list, dean’s list and freshman honor roll for fall 2008.

Inadvertently omitted was freshman psychology major Evan Cain, who earned distinction as a dean’s list honors recipient. To be included on the dean’s list, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.9 out of a possible 4.0.

A Lake City resident and 2008 Carolina Academy graduate, Cain is the daughter of Julie Hutchison and the late Edward Cain.

Other Lander honor students from Florence County were Paige Kight, dean’s list, and Christopher Allen, president’s list, which requires a 4.0 GPA. Both Kight and Allen are from Florence.

FMU graduates second student leadership class

Francis Marion University’s Leadership FMU program recently held its second graduation to recognize and celebrate student leadership.

Among the graduates were Shaina Williams (sociology) of Hemingway and Kevin Cooper (finance) of Kingstree.

University administration, staff, students and others gathered as some of FMU’s student leaders were given certificates of completion for the program. The keynote speaker for the event was Jay Dowd, vice-president for development and executive director of the FMU Foundation
The purpose of the program is to enhance the leadership skills of FMU students by providing programs and services designed to increase knowledge of community development, ethical standards, professional and career development and civic responsibility.

Leadership FMU is a programmatic function of the Division of Student Affairs. An administrative board and the Leadership Advisory Board are charged with the development of a series of programs and services for FMU students. The Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) is composed of faculty, students and staff who have an interest in enhancing leadership opportunities for students. Members of the LAB are selected by the Dean of Students and represent the university community.

For additional information about the program, contact FMU’s Dean of Students Teresa Ramey at (843) 661-1182 or by email at .