FMU Alumni Association names five new members to board

FLORENCE — The Francis Marion University Alumni Association has named five new members to its Alumni Board of Directors: Shirley Bausmith, Brian Denny, James Harrell, Brian Kelley and Beth Peterson.

Bausmith, of Florence, is an assistant professor of education at FMU as well as coordinator of instructional accommodation and M.A.T. learning disabilities programs and coordinator of special studies and special programs at FMU. She earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education summa cum laude and Master of Education in remediation from FMU, and her doctorate in special education from the University of South Carolina. While at FMU as a student, Bausmith was a graduate assistant and became a part-time member of the graduate faculty. She served as president of the FMU Alumni Association from 2001-03.

Denny, a Lake City native, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from FMU in 1998 and was inducted into the psychology honor society, Psi Chi. He received his master’s degree in school psychology from FMU in 2001 and was the school psychologist in Florence School District 1 from 2000 to 2006. He is the director of programs for exceptional children for Florence School District 1.

Harrell, a Society Hill native, is division vice president and general manager of Sonoco’s North American Paper division. He has operational responsibility for Sonoco’s 16 recycled paperboard mills in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He joined Sonoco in 1985 and held several domestic and international management positions in the company’s industrial and consumer segments. He graduated from FMU with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.

Kelley and moved to South Carolina in 1992 from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., when he attended FMU. He graduated in 1996 with a double major in economics and political science. While attending FMU, Kelley was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and president of the Student Government Association from 1995 to 1996. Kelley is vice president of marketing at Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, where he is responsible for the development and administration of programs and the promotion of the cooperative’s public image. He serves on such boards as the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, Florence Regional Arts Alliance, Marion County Progress, Florence Career Center Advisory Committee, Florence Rotary Club, Florence Education and Economic Development Task Force.

Peterson graduated from FMU in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is pursuing a master’s degree in business education and expects to complete her degree in 2009.

She is a financial advisor for Waddell and Reed Finance Advisors in Sumter, where she develops investment and financial strategies for clients to become financially independent. She also is a military police in the S.C. Army National Guard, which led to her serving one tour of duty in Iraq.

“I am delighted to welcome our five new directors to the board. Each of them brings unique experiences, knowledge and talents to the table and I am looking forward to working with them to offer exceptional alumni activities, events and programs,” Kim Turbeville, FMU’s director of alumni affairs, said. “The FMU Alumni Association could not operate without the support and participation of our alumni and this group’s extra effort and time commitment is allowing our office to reunite and reconnect with our 15,000-plus graduates.”

The FMU Alumni Association is meant to generate and channel support to the university from alumni through activities, correspondence and publications. The association serves as a liaison among graduates, the alumni office and the university community. For details, contact Turbeville at (843) 661-1228 or .