President’s Page

Fred Carter is the longest serving university president in South Carolina. He assumed the presidency of Francis Marion University in 1999, leading the University through a period of extensive growth and development. He has presided over the start of two dozen academic initiatives, including the development of three doctoral programs and the creation of a School of Health Sciences.

Dr. Carter has enhanced the fiscal stability of the University and its foundations, quadrupled the university’s operational budget and raised more than $130M in private funding. During this period the University built or renovated 25 buildings without incurring new debt or necessitating an increase in student tuition.

He has also expanded the prerogatives of shared governance in partnership with the faculty.  As a result, the university has received twelve years of honor roll accolades from the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For.  It is also recognized annually in U.S. News and World Report Best Universities for various categories of achievements.

Carter’s career has been devoted exclusively to public service. He was the senior executive assistant to South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell, the executive director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, and the chief of staff to Governor Mark Sanford. He also served on the faculties at the College of Charleston, the University of Central Florida, and Western Kentucky University.

Presently, he chairs the South Carolina Commission for International Cooperation and Agreements and the Board of Trustees of the Medical University of South Carolina-Florence Medical Center. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northeastern Strategic Alliance, the Board of Directors of HopeHealth, the Council of State Representatives of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Executive Committee of South Carolina Research Authority.

He is the recipient of the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto, and honorary degrees from the College of Charleston, Lander University and the Citadel.

His career service has been recognized by the National Governors’ Association (Distinguished State Executive Award), the American Association of University Professors (Ralph Brown Award),the S.C. Chamber of Commerce (Public Servant of the Year Award), the International Federation of German-American Clubs (Lucius Clay Award), the S.C. Humanities Council (Governor’s Award in the Humanities), the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (Donato Pugliese Award), and the S.C. Regional Council of Governments (Public Official of the Year Award). The South Carolina Convention of the American Association of University Professors has named its annual award in his honor.

Carter received his BA degree from the University of Central Florida and was the recipient of its distinguished alumnus award. He earned his MPA and PhD degrees from the University of South Carolina and was recognized by the University’s College of Arts and Sciences as its distinguished graduate alumnus. He has authored or co-authored five books, and numerous chapters and articles.

Carter served on active duty as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.

The Carters have two sons, Bryan and Luke, and a daughter-in-law, Adele. They also have three grandchildren, Max, Chloe, and Millie. Bryan is an international banker with HSBC based in London. Luke is an attorney with Smyth Whitley on Daniel Island, S.C.

Folly Carter is a native of South Carolina. She received her baccalaureate and master’s degrees in education from the University of South Carolina. After teaching business courses in secondary education for a number of years, she served in the administrations of Governor Carroll Campbell (communications office liaison), Governor David Beasley, and Governor Jim Hodges (director of infant mortality reduction programs).

As the first lady of FMU, she participates in numerous local and state organizations,  including the Florence Symphony Guild, Wildwood Garden Club, Allegro Literacy Club and the South Carolina Arts Alliance. Dr. and Mrs. Carter have two children, Bryan and Luke. Bryan is an international banker residing in London, England. He and his wife, Adele, have three children, Max, Chole, and Millie. Luke is an attorney with Smyth Whitley on Daniel Island, S.C.