University Mission Statement

Francis Marion University is a four-year public institution established by the state
of South Carolina. It is located in the northeastern part of the state near the city of
Florence and has approximately 4000 students. Its purpose is threefold: to provide
students with an excellent education, stimulate inquiry and research, and serve the Pee
Dee region of South Carolina.

Francis Marion University adheres to the primary purpose of its establishment as
a college in 1970: to make available excellent undergraduate education in the liberal arts
and selected professional programs. The university now offers Bachelors degrees in
Liberal Arts disciplines, Business, Education, and Nursing, as well as Masters degrees in
professional programs in Business, Education, and Psychology. While maintaining high
standards, we serve students with a broad range of preparation and ability. We seek a
wide variety of students, primarily from the Pee Dee region, but also from the entire state,
other states, and foreign countries. We believe that a student body diverse in age, racial
and ethnic background, and country of origin enriches the education of our students. To
achieve its educational goals, the university has outstanding faculty members
distinguished by high achievement and diverse academic background. We provide
traditional classroom and laboratory instruction, access to an excellent library as well as
electronic resources, and staff members committed to the success of the individual
student. A low student-faculty ratio and faculty concern for the individual student help
us to achieve our goal. In addition, the university provides students with special learning
opportunities, such as an honors program, internships, study abroad, and cooperative
degree programs.

Since our highest priority is excellence in teaching and learning, we believe that
intellectual inquiry and analysis by students and faculty members is essential. We
encourage all scholarly pursuits, including student research for courses and faculty
research for presentation and publication as well as the classroom. The university
provides faculty members with support for academic development, such as research
funds. Our goal of an academic experience built on inquiry and research as well as the
transmission of information allows students to develop their ability to think and
communicate, to gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a career or further study, to
appreciate the creativeness of the human mind, to be aware of the human and natural
environment of the world, and to have the capacity to pursue a life of learning and
understanding.

The university also attempts to serve the needs of Florence and the surrounding
area in ways beyond formal education. Our numerous cultural activities and athletic
programs benefit not only students, but also the community. To foster the economic
development of the region, we offer consulting services to business, industry, and
government. Academic and practical assistance to area schools is basic to our endeavors.
Faculty and staff members participate in and contribute to a great variety of community
activities.

Francis Marion is a unique university. It focuses on traditional liberal arts
education, but provides new technology and new academic programs. It is small enough
to provide individualized attention to each student, but large enough to offer much variety
in academic and cultural resources. It thus combines the advantages of a small liberal
arts college with the resources of a public university.

Approved by FMU General Faculty on November 28, 2006
Approved by FMU Board of Trustees on February 2, 2007