Solid foundation gives university promising future

Francis Marion University is a gem on the eastern side of Florence, a four-year school of distinction named for The Swamp Fox, South Carolina’s Revolutionary War hero.
As the liberal arts college prepares to celebrate its 40th year in 2010, supporters, critics and South Carolina residents will wonder how well FMU has lived up to its mission of educating and serving people in this part of the state.
Upon close examination, we think they’ll be impressed with the university’s progress. Administrators and faculty have turned thousands into graduates, and the alumni have built a stronger future for the Pee Dee. More than 54 percent of FMU’s students come from the region. The 4,100 students come primarily from Florence, Darlington and Marion counties.  We’re pleased to know about 44 percent of the students are black, a statistic that almost exactly mirrors the Pee Dee’s overall population.
A recently completed eight-year Campaign For Excellence raised more than $50 million and included more than 5,000 donors. The unprecedented support allowed the university to expand scholarships for students, fund endowments, and create and expand academic and athletic facilities.
Under FMU President Dr. Fred Carter’s leadership, the university has expanded outreach. Internships with local businesses often turn into full-time jobs.
More teachers walk into Pee Dee classrooms from FMU than any other university, a fact that would satisfy visionaries who supported establishment of the campus.
One of the most effective FMU programs has been Advancing Rural Community Health. ARCH provides free health screenings for residents in Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties. The push has created a healthier atmosphere in the Pee Dee, we think, by serving an at-risk constituency. We hope funding for the program remains in the future.
In an interview Tuesday with the Morning News, Carter said he envisions growth in future years and an enrollment one day of 6,000 students. Steady growth of 3 percent per year would make the transition to a larger enrollment possible in the next 20 years. FMU has benefitted from strong leadership from Carter. His credentials command respect, and his love for the university is genuine.
Carter took charge during a tumultuous time. He was hired in 1999 after a no-confidence vote by the faculty led to the ouster of his predecessor. The university was on a sanctions list established by the American Association of University Professors — a black eye in academic circles. Carter was successful in working to remove the sanction and enhance FMU’s national reputation. The president and his staff have made outstanding hires for faculty and staff positions. The average class size is 21, and the student-faculty ratio is 17-1 — impressive for a state university. It has been chosen as one of the South’s top 100 master’s-level universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Facilities have improved, with more than $72 million in additions and improvements. The Rogers Library is the largest scholarly resource in this part of the state. During Carter’s watch, two phases of Forest Villas, a residence hall complex, were constructed, along with the Lee Nursing Building and the Gail & Terry Richardson Center for the Child. The university is coordinating construction of the $15 million FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence. A $15 million grant from the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, $3 million from the city of Florence and $12 million in state money will become a centerpiece of downtown development.  The land and the performing arts center will be deeded to FMU, which will serve as the agent for construction and operation. It will open in fall 2010.
We were excited to learn the university will put bonds on the market late this year or early next year to finance the $9 million FMU Sports Complex. The state-of-the-art facilities will be built on 84 acres west of the campus.
FMU competes in 12 intercollegiate sports. A 15,000-square-foot fieldhouse and new track, baseball, softball and soccer fields will give Patriot coaches a distinct advantage in recruiting over other similarly sized schools. A football team probably won’t be in FMU’s immediate future because of start-up costs and because most Division II teams lose millions. But even without that, FMU will grow and prosper. The first 40 years built a good foundation. The university was established with great expectations. It fulfilled its obligations and helped thousands live better lives.
The next 40 years will bring challenges and tough choices. Like its namesake and the people of the region, we believe Francis Marion University will continue to be resilient, smart and dynamic.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).