Building a Future in Criminal Justice: Naiya Cherry’s FMU Experience
For Naiya Cherry, a sociology major on the criminal justice track with a minor in psychology, college has been more than a pursuit of a degree – it has been a deliberate journey shaped by academic curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to growth beyond her comfort zone. Her time at Francis Marion University reflects a […]
FMU Graduate Niklas Plath Turns Undergraduate Research into Graduate Opportunity
Niklas Plath, a native of Albstadt, Germany, arrived at Francis Marion University in August 2022 ready to embrace a journey defined by curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to pursue opportunity far from home. A biology major and dedicated tennis player, Plath came to Florence with years of commitment in both academics and athletics. His path […]
FMU celebrates Spring 2026 graduates, awards honorary degrees
Francis Marion University celebrated its Spring 2026 graduates in ceremonies held Friday evening and Saturday morning in the Smith University Center on campus. A total of 342 students received degrees, including 275 undergraduates and 67 graduate students. South Carolina residents comprised 89 percent of the graduating class – the highest in-state graduation percentage among South […]
FMU to Hold Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies May 8-9
Francis Marion University will hold commencement ceremonies for its Spring 2026 graduating class on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9. Both ceremonies will take place in the Smith University Center on campus and will include graduates from the university’s four academic schools and college. Each graduate will be allowed ten guests, and tickets are […]
FMU Faculty Recognized at 2025-2026 Awards Ceremony
Francis Marion University recognized four faculty members for their outstanding work during the university’s annual faculty awards night at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence. Dr. Allison Munn, Associate Professor of Nursing, was awarded the Charlene Wages Shared Governance Award by the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. This award […]
Rajagopalan named FMU’s 2025-2026 Distinguished Professor
Dr. Hari Rajagopalan, professor of management, has been named FMU’s J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor for the 2025-2026 academic year. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony held at the FMU Performing Arts Center Thursday evening. The annual award, named in honor of a former chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees, is the […]
FMU Student Life Awarded Grant
Francis Marion University’s Office of Student Life was awarded a $1,000 grant from the South Carolina Institute on the Prevention of Sexual Violence on College Campuses (SCIP) to support programming focused on raising awareness about sexual assault. As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Student Life hosted two events—a Denim Design Night and a Denim […]
FMU recognizes the academic achievements of students
Francis Marion University hosted its annual Academic Awards ceremony on campus Monday evening. Students from all areas of study were recognized for academic excellence. The awards are selected by appointed committees and faculty of each academic department. FMU presented five university-wide awards recognizing overall academic performance across all disciplines. Additionally, awards were presented within the […]
FMU’s 17th annual Moran Address presented by Dr. Rebecca Flannagan
Dr. Rebecca Flannagan, professor emeritus, delivered the 17th annual William C. Moran Address at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence on Thursday. The Moran Address, presented annually, provides a platform for retiring or recently retired faculty to reflect on their academic journeys and share insights from their fields and life experiences. Flannagan’s address, […]
FMU Earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School Designation
Francis Marion University been recognized as a Military Friendly® School because of its work with military veterans, service members, and their dependents. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Schools designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 institutions participated in the Military Friendly® survey, with only 878 earning […]
FMU African American Faculty and Staff Coalition Celebrates 25 Years of Scholarship Support
Francis Marion University’s African American Faculty and Staff Coalition (AAFSC) recently celebrated 25 years of advancing student success through scholarship support during its annual event held at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence on March 12. Founded in 1995, the AAFSC was established to enhance cultural awareness and promote professional development and well-being […]
FMU Alumni Rise to Senior Leadership at Their Alma Mater
At Francis Marion University, senior leadership increasingly reflects the university’s own success story. Today, four of the university’s ten vice presidents are graduates of FMU, a milestone that underscores both the university’s growth and the value of the education it provides. Each of these leaders once walked the campus as students, participating in a wide […]