Awards and Honors
FMU enjoys a faculty and student body that work hard to foster a positive environment and yield success for Patriots from all walks of life.
Honorary Degree Recipients
Honorary degrees are delivered to outstanding individuals who have impacted the culture of FMU in positive ways.
Howard Stokes
William Herman Patterson
John Carl West
Robert Duncan Bass
Hugh F. Rankin
Maceo Nance Jr.
Patrick Chesley Smith
Gordon Williams Blackwell
Edith Mitchell Dabbs
Matthew James Perry Jr.
Alexander McQueen Quattlebaum
James B. Edwards
Theodore Sanders Stern
Margaret M. Bryant
James Woodrow Lewis
May 13, 1972
May 13, 1973
May 13, 1973
May 11, 1974
May 11, 1974
May 10, 1975
May 10, 1975
May 15, 1976
May 14, 1977
May 14, 1977
May 14, 1977
May 13, 1978
May 13, 1978
May 12, 1979
May 12, 1979
Helen Joanne Harrar
William S. Hoole
John G. Wellman
Hubert Vernon Manning
James A. Morris
Dan T. Carter
Julian Lorin Mason Jr.
John Charles Lindsay
William Thomas Putnam
Ronald E. Carrier
James Alton Rogers
Strom Thurmond
Earle E. Morris Jr.
John Bruce Pitner
Charles Brown MacDonald
Bernard Shaw
Charles Alex Harvin III
David Bomar Smith
William Reed Howard
Walter Douglas Smith
Fred Cleon Fore
James Alexander Grimsley Jr.
Larry Artope Jackson
David Walker Harwell
Hugh K. Leatherman
Thomas Travis Medlock
T. Boone Pickens Jr.
May 10, 1980
May 10, 1980
May 9, 1981
May 9, 1981
May 8, 1982
May 14, 1983
May 14, 1983
Dec. 22, 1983
Dec. 22,1983
April 7, 1984
April 7, 1984
April 7, 1984
May 12, 1984
Dec. 18, 1984
May 7, 1985
Dec. 16, 1985
Dec. 16, 1985
May 7, 1986
Dec. 18, 1986
Dec. 18, 1986
May 6, 1987
May 6, 1987
May 6, 1987
Dec. 15, 1987
Dec. 15, 1987
Dec. 15, 1987
May 5, 1988
Charles Moss Duke Jr.
Fred C. Perry Jr.
David N. Thomas
Sherwood H. Smith Jr.
Marcia Curtis
Fitz-John Creighton McMaster
Charles A. Horner
Catherine White Ingold
Phillip N. Truluck
L. Glenn Orr Jr.
James C. Hooks Jr.
Nathaniel W. Rosenfeld
Adele B. Kassab
John Kassab
Jean Hoefer Toal
May 5, 1990
July 1, 1990
July 1, 1990
Sept. 7, 1990
Dec. 15, 1990
May 4, 1991
Dec. 21, 1991
May 9, 1992
Dec. 19, 1992
Dec. 18, 1993
May 7, 1994
May 7, 1994
Dec. 18, 1999
Dec. 18, 1999
Dec. 18, 1999
L. Morgan Martin
Christopher James Yahnis
Edward Eli Saleeby Sr.
John Drummond
Ashpy Parnell Lowrimore
Ernest A. Finney Jr.
John Yancey McGill
David H. Wilkins
Glenn F. McConnell
C. Edward Floyd
Thomas G. Keegan
Leroy Davis Sr.
Robert W. Harrell Jr.
Douglas Jennings Jr.
Archie Lee Chandler
Matthew James Perry Jr.
W.C. Stanton
Inez M. Tenenbaum
John H. Waller Jr.
Marshall Clement Sanford Jr.
Kurt G. Beck
Marva A. Smalls
Sompong Kraikit
Charlene Wages
James Enos Clyburn
Thomas Graham Edwards
Edward Conyers O’Bryan Jr.
Robert E. McNair
Philip G. Grose Jr.
James S. Konduros
John M. Spratt Jr.
Liston D. Barfield
Allie E. Brooks Jr.
Lindsey O. Graham
Iris R. Campbell
W.O. “Billy” Powers
Joseph E. Heyward
Marvin W. Lynch
Eugene N. Zeigler Jr.
William C. Moran
Frank R. Avent
Emerson F. Gower Jr.
James H. Hodges
Harriet H. Keyserling
Kenneth M. Autrey Jr.
Kent M. Williams
William Hayne Hipp
Gerald Malloy
Frank Eugene Willis
Elizabeth Ivey Cooper
Sylvia Rhyne Hatchell
Denny Woodall Neilson
James A. Battle Jr.
Mary A. Burgan
Robert Weston Patterson
May 6, 2000
May 6, 2000
Dec. 16, 2000
Dec. 16, 2000
Dec. 16, 2000
May 5, 2001
May 5, 2001
May 5, 2001
Dec. 15, 2001
Dec. 15, 2001
Dec. 15, 2001
May 4, 2002
May 4, 2002
May 4, 2002
Dec. 14, 2002
Dec. 14, 2002
Dec. 14, 2002
May 10, 2003
May 10, 2003
Dec. 13, 2003
Dec. 13, 2003
May 8, 2004
May 8, 2004
May 8, 2004
Dec. 18, 2004
Dec. 18, 2004
Dec. 18, 2004
May 7, 2005
May 7, 2005
May 7, 2005
Dec. 18, 2005
Dec. 18, 2005
Dec. 18, 2005
May 6, 2006
May 6, 2006
May 6, 2006
Dec. 16, 2006
Dec. 16, 2006
Dec. 16, 2006
May 5, 2007
May 5, 2007
Dec. 15, 2007
Dec. 15, 2007
May 3, 2008
May 3, 2008
May 3, 2008
Dec. 13, 2008
Dec. 13, 2008
Dec. 13, 2008
May 9, 2009
May 9, 2009
May 9, 2009
Dec. 19, 2009
Dec. 19, 2009
Dec. 19, 2009
John Calhoun Land III
Reamer B. King
Mark Wilson Buyck Jr.
Joseph Patrick Riley Jr.
Michael Anthony Blue
Kaye Gorenflo Hearn
Pearl Frances Moore
William Haigh Porter
Carl Lovetta Anderson
Stephen K. Benjamin
Sylvia Rabb Lufkin
David Keith Best
John L. Bruce Jr.
Joseph H. Melrose Jr.
Floyd L. Keels
E. LeRoy (Toy) Nettles Jr.
Margaret B. Seymour
Marian Cusac Green
Charles W. Gould
Robert M. Hitt III
William Phillip Diggs
Minor Mickel Shaw
Lucy Crosland Thrower
Morgan Baxter Coker
Ellen C. Hamilton
Stephen J. Wukela
Dorothy M. Harris
James H. Lucas
Henry McCall Swink
Phillip D. Lowe
Molly M. Spearman
Rannie D. Gamble
Hugh Thompson Rice, Jr.
Richard N. Chapman
Jackie Hayes
Teresa Myers Ervin
Vincent A. Sheheen
Frank J. Brand II
Rebecca Hendrick Flannagan
Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe
Melissa J. Buckhannon
Harvey Peeler
Teresa C. Anderson
William H. “Bill” Hester
Costa M. Pleicones
Dr. John Keith, III
Gilda Cobb Hunter
Ted Whisnant
John J. Kispert
Cleveland Sellers
Jr., Marilyn K. Chapman
Bill Yonce
May 8, 2010
May 8, 2010
Dec. 18, 2010
Dec. 18, 2010
Dec. 18, 2010
May 7, 2011
May 7, 2011
May 7, 2011
Dec. 17, 2011
Dec. 17, 2011
Dec. 17, 2011
May 5, 2012
May 5, 2012
May 5, 2012
Dec. 15, 2012
Dec. 15, 2012
Dec. 15, 2012
May 4, 2013
May 4, 2013
May 4, 2013
Dec. 14, 2013
Dec. 14, 2013
Dec. 14, 2013
May 3, 2014
May 3, 2014
May 3, 2014
Dec. 13, 2014
Dec. 13, 2014
Dec. 13, 2014
May 9, 2015
May 9, 2015
Dec. 19, 2015
Dec. 19, 2015
May 7, 2016
May 7, 2016
December 17, 2016
December 17, 2016
May 6, 2017
May 6, 2017
December 16, 2017
December 16, 2017
May 5, 2018
May 5, 2018
May 5, 2018
December 15, 2018
December 15, 2018
May 4, 2019
May 4, 2019
May 4, 2019
December 14, 2019
December 14, 2019
December 14, 2019
Linda Sullen
Peter King
Robert E. Lee
Thomas C. Alexander
Alfred Mae Drakeford
Katrina Frye Shealy
Daniel S. Dukes, IV
Donna Isgett
Debra O. Jackson
G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
E. Lorraine de Montluzin
Pamela S. Evette
R. Bryan Harwell
May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023
May 6, 2023
December 15, 2023
December 15, 2023
December 16, 2023
December 16, 2023
May 3, 2024
May 3, 2024
May 4, 2024
May 4, 2024
December 12, 2024
December 13, 2024
Distinguished Professor Award Recipients
The Distinguished Professor award is an annual award named in honor of a former chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a faculty member at FMU, and is based upon a faculty member’s contributions to teaching, professional service, and scholarly activities.
1975-76 ………………………………………………… Dr. Louis A. Hoff
1976-77 ………………………………………………… Dr. James R. Rinehart
1977-78 ………………………………………………… Dr. W. Lloyd Birch*
1978-79 ………………………………………………… Dr. Joseph T. Stukes*
*Deceased
1980-81 ………………………………………………… Dr. Roger W. Allen, Jr.
1981-82 ………………………………………………… Dr. Duane P. Myers*
1982-83 ………………………………………………… Dr. Marian H. Cusac Green
1983-84 ………………………………………………… Dr. Harlan G. Hawkins*
1984-85 ………………………………………………… Dr. William H. Breazeale,Jr.
1985-86 ………………………………………………… Dr. Julia E. Krebs
1986-87 ………………………………………………… Dr. Ronald L. Hall
1987-88 ………………………………………………… Dr. E. Lorraine de Montluzin
1988-89 ………………………………………………… Dr. Lynn D. Hendrick*
*Deceased
1990-91 ………………………………………………… Dr. Robert R. Parham
1991-92 ………………………………………………… Dr. Jackson F. Lee, Jr.
1992-93 ………………………………………………… Dr. Ben L. Kyer
1993-94 ………………………………………………… Dr. Eileen Kirley-Tallon
1994-95 ………………………………………………… Dr. David M. Peterson*
1995-96 ………………………………………………… Dr. Donna H. Goodman
1996-97 ………………………………………………… Dr. Marjorie B. Pace
1997-98 ………………………………………………… Dr. Gary W. Hanson*
1998-99 ………………………………………………… Dr. George E. Harding, III
1999-00 ………………………………………………… Dr. R. Sethfield Smith
*Deceased
2000-01………………………………………………………………. Dr. M. Barry O’Brien
2001-02…………………………………………………………….. Dr. Mary H. McNulty*
2002-03 ………………………………………………………………. Dr. Kenneth D. Kitts
2003-04………………………………………………………. Dr. Jesse J. “Mike” Jordan
2004-05………………………………………………………….. Dr. James T. Ramey, Jr.
2005-06………………………………………………………………. Dr. Benjamin Woods
2006-07……………………………………………………………….. Dr. Pamela A. Rooks
2007-08………………………………………………………………… Mr. A. Glen Gourley
2008-09………………………………………………………………… Dr. Larry E. Nelson
2009-10……………………………………………………………. Dr. Kenneth M. Autrey
*Deceased
2010-11……………………………………………………………….. Dr. Derek W. Jokisch
2011-12………………………………………………………. Dr. Christopher D. Johnson
2012-13……………………………………..……………… Dr. Kay Lawrimore Belanger
2013-14…………………………………………………………………….. Dr. Jon W. Tuttle
2014-15……………………………………………………………. .Mr. Travis W. Knowles
2015-16……………………………………………….…………… Dr. Jeannette M. Myers
2016-17………………………………………………………………… Mr. David Keith Best
2017-18……………………………………………………… Dr. Ruth A. Wittmann-Price
2018-19………………………………………………………… Dr. Rebecca H. Flannagan
2019-2020……………………………………………………….. Dr. Larry P. Engelhardt
2020-2021…………………………………………………………… Dr. V. Scott Kaufman
2021-2022…………………………………………..………… Dr. Leroy “Pete” Peterson
2022-2023………………………………………………. Dr. Meredith Love-Steinmetz
2023-2024………………………………………………………………….. Ms. Lisa A. Pike
Faculty Service Award Recipients
FMU honors faculty members annually for their outstanding work with the presentation of four awards:
- The Charlene Wages Shared Governance Award is given by the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors to a faculty member who has made substantial contributions to shared governance at the university.
- Award for Excellence in Teaching
- Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
- Award for Excellence in Professional Service
| 1999-2000 | Scholarship/Research | Dr. Xiaoqun (David) Xu |
| Service | Dr. Tom Roop | |
| Teaching | Mr. Travis W Knowles | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. E. Lorraine de Montluzin |
| 2000-2001 | Scholarship/Research | Dr. Emmanuel I. Udogu |
| Service | Dr. Charlene Wages | |
| Teaching | Dr. James T. Ramey, Jr. | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Charlene Wages | |
| 2001-2002 | Scholarship/Research | Dr. Fred R. David |
| Service | Dr. LeRoy Peterson, Jr. | |
| Teaching | Dr. P. Edwin Eleazer | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. John G. Rae | |
| 2002-2003 | Scholarship/Research | Dr. John A. Britton |
| Service | Dr. Peter D. King | |
| Teaching | Dr. Kenneth B. Williams | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Pamela A. Rooks | |
| 2003-2004 | Scholarship/Research | Dr. William P. Fox |
| Service | Mr. A. Glen Gourley, Jr. | |
| Teaching | Dr. Rebecca H. Flannagan | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Duane P. Myers | |
| 2004-2005 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Jeffrey D. Camper |
| Service | Dr. Elizabeth A. Zahnd | |
| Teaching | Ms. Lisa A. Pike | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mr. D. Keith Best | |
| 2005-2006 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Derek W. Jokisch |
| Service | Dr. Jennifer L. Kunka | |
| Teaching | Dr. Vernon W. Bauer | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mrs. Lucy C. Thrower | |
| 2006-2007 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Leroy Peterson, Jr. |
| Service | Mr. Douglas E. Gray | |
| Teaching | Ms. Mary R. Dittman | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Kenneth M. Autrey | |
| 2007-2008 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. V. Scott Kaufman |
| Service | Dr. T. Alissa Warters | |
| Teaching | Dr. Bill D. Whitmire | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Rebecca H. Flannagan | |
| 2008-2009 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Kirk E. Dineley |
| Service | Dr. Jeannette M. Myers | |
| Teaching | Dr. Tamatha R. Barbeau | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Lynn Hanson | |
| 2009-2010 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Jon W. Tuttle |
| Service | Dr. Tammy J. Pawloski | |
| Teaching | Dr. J. Mark Blackwell | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mr. A. Glen Gourley, Jr. |
| 2010-2011 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Hari J. Rajagopalan |
| Service | Dr. Latha M. Maliayandi | |
| Teaching | Dr. Bryan L. Fisher | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Christopher D. Johnson | |
| 2011-2012 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Christopher D. Johnson |
| Service | Dr. Matthew C. Nelson | |
| Teaching | Dr. Farrah M. Hughes | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. John R. Hester | |
| 2012-2013 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Ruth Wittmann-Price |
| Service | Mr. D. Keith Best | |
| Teaching | Dr. T. Alissa Warters | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. T. Alissa Warters | |
| 2013-2014 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Larry P. Engelhardt |
| Service | Dr. Jennifer G. Kelly | |
| Teaching | Dr. Karen K. Gittings | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Meredith Love-Steinmetz | |
| 2014-2015 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Nwamaka Ananza |
| Service | Dr. Meredith Love-Steinmetz | |
| Teaching | Dr. Kathryn G. Haselden | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Jo Angela Edwins | |
| 2015-2016 | Research/Scholarship | Mr. Phillip J. Gardner |
| Service | Dr. Jeremiah Bartz | |
| Teaching | Dr. Christopher M. Kennedy | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mr. Travis W. Knowles | |
| 2016-2017 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. William T. Daniel |
| Service | Ms. Lisa Pike | |
| Teaching | Dr. Jeffrey Steinmetz | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. James T. Ramey, Jr. | |
| 2017-2018 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. David M. Malakauskas |
| Service | Dr. Matthew W. Turner | |
| Teaching | Dr. Sharon K. O’Kelley | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Russell E. Ward, Jr. | |
| 2018-2019 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Tracy P. George |
| Service | Dr. Russell E. Ward, Jr. | |
| Teaching | Dr. Hubert H. Setzler, III | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Shawn R. Smolen-Morton | |
| 2019-2020 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Allison Munn |
| Service | Dr. Shawn R. Smolen-Morton | |
| Teaching | Dr. Will Bolt | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Karen Fries |
| 2020-2021 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Rahul S. Renu |
| Service | Dr. Ann M. Stoeckmann | |
| Teaching | Dr. Jan M. Serrano | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. Sharon K. O’Kelley | |
| 2021-2022 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Jeremy D. Rentsch |
| Service | Dr. Erica R. Johnson | |
| Teaching | Mrs. M. Padmaja Rao | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mr. Steven C. Sims | |
| 2022-2023 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Sarah Kershner |
| Service | Dr. Jennifer Titanski-Hooper | |
| Teaching | Dr. Jeanne Gunther | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Mr. Nathan Flowers | |
| 2023-2024 | Research/Scholarship | Dr. Jason Doll |
| Service | Dr. Hubert Setzler | |
| Teaching | Dr. Ana-Elisa Iglesias | |
| AAUP Shared Governance | Dr. J. Mark Blackwell |
Outstanding Staff Service Awards
The John J. Kispert Leadership Award recognizes members of the Francis Marion University staff who are not in formal, higher-level leadership positions, but who exhibit the drive, determination, and initiative associated with this vital, organizational skill. Those recognized will be the men and women who take it upon themselves to embrace the mission of their departments and to inspire their colleagues to a higher standard.
2024 – Chad A. Herlong
2023 – Jennifer Floyd
2022 – Dr. Cheri L. Richardson
2021 – Alicia Campbell
2020 – James Huggins
2019 – Ann Williams
2018 – Jerry Clapper
2017 – T. Lang Beatty
2016 – H. Teresa McDuffie
2015 – Howard V. Brown
2014 – Rannie D. Gamble
The Marvin Lynch Humanitarian Award recognizes a member of the Francis Marion University staff who exhibits an unusual commitment to, and care for, his fellow man, both at work and elsewhere. Award winners will typically be involved in one or more charitable or humanitarian activities, and will have demonstrated an on-going desire to help others and make the world a better place.
2024 – Karen M. Herbert
2023 – Carla Rogers
2022 – Brigid E. Kennedy
2021 – Jared Jeffries
2020 – Linda Sullen
2019 – Karl McAllister
2018 – Daniel Carmichael
2017 – Katherine Barnette
2016 – Julian M. Young
2015 – Donald L. Jackson
2014 – Angela H. Bessenger
Outstanding Staff Service Award for service departments: Honors exceptional performance by an individual, non-faculty staff member in the physical plant, on the custodian staff, on the grounds keeping crew or in the dining services area. Award winners typically perform at a high level and exhibit a positive attitude that benefits all constituents of the university.
Outstanding Staff Service Award for academic and administrative support staff: Honors exceptional performance by an individual, non-faculty staff member in administrative or academic departments. Award winners typically perform at a high level and exhibit a positive attitude that benefits all constituents of the university.
2024 – Tina Gause
2024 – Benjamin Johnson
2023 – Lorraine Burnett
2023 – Dennis Sullen
2022 – Laura Rhoads
2022 – Erick Polite
2021 – Bonnie Barr
2021 -Danagene Razick
2020 – Hannah Amerson
2020 – Leon Campbell
2019 – John Petrush
2019 – George Gainey
2018 – Coretta Morris
2018 – Shala Boston
2017 – Sharolyn B. Robinson
2017 – Linda Sullen
2016 – Carolyn Mumford
2016 – Jennifer Cason
2015 – Anthony W. Lester
2015 – Janet S. McLeod
2014 – Sherry A. Owens
2014 – Verneeda S. Jones
2013 – Beverly G. Owens
2013 – N. Ray Taylor
2012 – J. Lynn Timmons
2012 – Violet L. Lloyd
2011 – Sheron G. Jacobs
2011 – Benjamin A. Strickland
2010 – Rusty O. Braveboy
2010 – Benita Y. Woodbury
2009 – John T. Pickett
2009 – Angela C. Cantey
2008 – David B. Richardson
2008 – Kimberly G. Davis
2007 – Dorothy E. King
2007 – Kathy C. Johnson
2006 – Otis Nichols
2006 – Virginia B. Ridgil
2005 – Carlton Sellers
2005 – Carolyn J. Austin
2004 – Sammie Chandler
2004 – Yvonne G. Davis
2003 – James McLeod
2003 – Diane J. Scarborough
2002 – Wayne V. Platt
2002 – Travis W. Ragsdale
2001 – Lewis Allen Eaddy
2001 – Rebecca M. Culbertson
2000 – Flora S. James
2000 – Rannie D. Gamble
1999 – Joseph W. Sallenger
AAFSC Diversity Award
The AAFSC was founded at FMU in 1995 to stimulate and enhance cultural awareness, and to promote professional development and welfare among faculty, staff and students. The organization’s goals include increasing morale, and communication among members; creating an atmosphere of community for FMU African-American faculty, staff and students; serving as a liaison between the administrative personnel of FMU and the African-American faculty and staff; and examining the university’s efforts in recruitment and retention of African-American faculty and staff.
AAFSC Diversity Award Recipients include: Dr. Kiley Molinari (2025), Dr. Christopher Barton (2024), Dr. Charlene Wages (2023), Ms. Latasha Brand (2022), Dr. Daniel Brauss (2021), Dr. Erica James (2020), Dr. Shayna A. Wrighten (2019), Dr. Ruth A. Wittmann-Price (2018), Mr. Jason H. Owens (2017), Dr. Will Wattles (2016), Mrs. Crystal L. Graham (2015), Ms. Yvonne Davis (2014), Dr. Rhonda M. Brogdon (2013), Ms. Angela Crosland (2012), Dr. Louis Venters (2011), and Dr. Rebecca Lawson (2010).
