FLORENCE, S.C. (PRESS RELEASE) — Francis Marion University awarded 346 degrees at its Spring Commencement Saturday, May 7 and also said a fond farewell to Dr. Richard N. Chapman, the university’s provost for the past 16 years.
Honorary Doctorates of Humanities were conferred on both Chapman and State Representative Jackie E. “Coach” Hayes of Dillon. Chapman, who presided over 31 straight FMU commencements from 2000-2015, delivered the commencement address.
Chapman told graduates that their graduation is a day of celebration and transition, and, in a short, nine-minute address, asked them to remember two things he’s learned in the nearly half a century since his undergraduate commencement.
“You have good minds and a good education,” Chapman said. “Use them to make your communities better places to live. You can contribute or give back in a myriad of ways. … And, as you go about pursuing success remember to be kind and care about others.”
Citing Mark Twain’s century-old advice, Chapman also recommended that students develop and maintain a good sense of humor.
Chapman, who’s spent more than 40 years in higher education, is a renowned scholar of U.S. political and economic history, especially in the period spanning the Great Depression and World War II. He is the author of numerous published articles on this topics and others. Chapman, a native of Missouri, earned an undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis and two master’s degrees and a doctorate from Yale University. Besides his stint as the university’s longest-serving provost, Chapman also spent 10 years as the chair of the FMU Department of History.
Hayes has served in the South Carolina House for 18 years but is better known for his work in education and athletics. He’s been the football coach and athletic director at his alma mater, Dillon High School, since 1992, where his teams have won six state titles; and has helped dozens of young men move on to college. Hayes was inducted in the SC Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA) Hall of Fame in 2010. He’s a 1984 graduate of Catawba College.
Saturday’s graduates included a record 12 undergraduate degrees in Physics. That might not sound like a large number of grads, but in the field of Physics it’s remarkable. FMU’s total would have ranked third in the state, behind only Clemson and the College of Charleston, in 2014-15.
Kayla Joyce Staley of Florence, SC was the recipient of the William H. Blackwell Award, awarded to the student or students who attain, in all academic work, the highest grade point average and academic achievement among those receiving the baccalaureate degree.
Twenty-eight students received graduate level degrees Saturday.
