FMU Trustees Extend President Carter’s Contract, Honor Longtime Faculty Member

The Francis Marion University Board of Trustees held its quarterly meeting Thursday afternoon on the university’s campus. During the meeting, the Trustees unanimously extended President Fred Carter’s current contract by two years to last until July 2031.

They also named the university’s biological station in Ecuador in honor of longtime faculty member Travis Knowles.

Trustee Robert E. Lee said the Board’s decision to extend Carter’s contract reflects its confidence in his leadership.

“Dr. Carter’s leadership has transformed Francis Marion University over the past three decades and positioned it as one of South Carolina’s most dynamic public universities,” Lee said. “His commitment to academic excellence, student success, and strategic growth has had a lasting impact on this institution. The Board is pleased to extend his contract and looks forward to working with him as FMU continues to build on its many successes. It is reassuring to know that he’ll be with us for five more years.”

Carter expressed his appreciation for the Board’s support.

“I am deeply appreciative of the Board’s confidence and continued trust,” said Carter. “FMU has been home to Folly and me for nearly thirty years, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated Trustees, faculty, and staff. I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues as we serve this region and create new opportunities for future generations of students.”

The Board also approved a resolution naming the Travis Knowles Biological Station at WildSumaco in Ecuador in honor of Knowles, who served as a faculty member in the Department of Biology for thirty-five years.

Throughout his career, Knowles made significant contributions to the university through his teaching, research, and leadership, while helping establish one of FMU’s most distinctive international educational opportunities.

“Few individuals have had a greater impact on the development of WildSumaco than Travis,” said Carter. “His vision and dedication helped create transformative learning experiences for students. Naming the station in his honor is a fitting tribute to his years of service to Francis Marion.”

Trustees adopted a budget resolution authorizing expenditures at the current operating levels until the South Carolina General Assembly enacts the state appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026-2027. The university will adopt a final operating budget once the State Appropriations Act is finalized.

During his report, Carter announced one university appointment and highlighted several major construction and renovation projects currently underway across campus.

Dr. Will Bolt, chair of the History Department, will serve as the University Historian in coordinating the efforts of faculty and staff to document the university’s history and preserve its artifacts.

Carter also discussed continuing construction on the Dr. C. Edward Floyd Medical Education Consortium Building, which will serve FMU’s medical education programs as well as medical students and residents from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the Medical University of South Carolina. The facility is expected to be complete in fall 2027.

Work is also progressing on the Forestry and Environmental Sciences Building, located on the west side of the main campus. This facility will provide classroom and laboratory space for environmental studies and FMU’s new Forestry major. Completion is anticipated in early 2027.

In addition to new construction, the university is undertaking significant renovations to several existing facilities, including Founders Hall, the Cauthen Educational Media Center, the McNair Science Building, the Leatherman Science Facility, and the Hyman Fine Arts Center.

Carter also noted that FMU is exploring plans for a new campus police station in partnership with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, continuing the university’s long-standing commitment to collaborative partnerships.

The university will begin three new programs during the 2026-2027 academic year: undergraduate degrees in Forestry and Social Work and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. These programs were developed in response to growing workforce needs throughout the state and region.

The Board also elected officers for the next three-year term. Mark Moore was elected chair, Karen Leatherman was elected vice chair, and Beth Bauknight was elected secretary.

Outgoing Chair Dr. Randall Dozier was recognized by the Board with the title of Trustee Chair Emeritus. He is the first trustee named to this role.

Dozier was first appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1991 and has faithfully served the university for more than three decades. During his tenure as chair, FMU expanded its academic offerings through the creation of graduate programs including Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator, as well as undergraduate degrees in Industrial Engineering, Criminal Justice, and Autism Studies. Throughout his years of service, he provided visionary leadership, sound judgement, and unwavering dedication to the advancement of the university.