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The Francis Marion University Faculty and Staff Newsletter
Feb. 15, 2002
Homecoming 2002, Parents Day set for Saturday
Francis Marion University will celebrate Homecoming 2002 on Saturday, Feb. 16. Parents Day will also be held Feb. 16 and families of current students are invited to take part in the day?s activities.
The day will begin with the School of Business Annual Alumni Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the Palmetto Room of the Ervin Dining Hall.
At 11 a.m., the women?s basketball Old Timers? Game will tip off, followed by the men?s Old Timers? Game at noon.
Also at noon, Patriot Fest will begin on the lawn between the Smith University Center and Rogers Library. Alumni can register at their academic department tent and then enjoy lunch while reminiscing with former professors and fellow graduates.
Entertainment will be provided by FMU?s Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Voices of IMANI, and Cut Time show choir. Children will enjoy clowns, face painting, balloons and a moonwalk.
From 1:30 to 5 p.m., a Silent Auction will be held in the Smith University Center gymnasium. Bids on exclusive items will support Patriot athletic scholarships.
A basketball doubleheader with Augusta State University will begin with the women?s game at 2 p.m. and the men?s game at 4 p.m. During half-time of the women?s game, the 1981-82 FMU women?s basketball team --the first Patriot team to win a national championship ? will be honored. Prior to the men?s game, this year?s candidates for the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducted. During half-
time, the 2002 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned.
At 6:30 p.m., in the Smith University Center commons, a Live Athletic Auction and Gala will begin, featuring music, dancing and heavy hors d?oeuvres. Participants will have the chance to bid on vacation packages and rare sports memorabilia. An admission fee will be charged. For more information, call the FMU Office of Athletics at 1240, or the FMU Office of Alumni Affairs at 1228.
The day will conclude with a Homecoming Step Show Explosion in the McNair Science Building auditorium at 8 p.m. Admission will be charged at the door. For more information about the step show, call Eddie Thomas at 843-260-3900 or 843-661-1188.
Emerson Gower to head capital campaign steering committee
Emerson F. Gower Jr. of Florence will assume the responsibilities for the major leadership role in Francis Marion University?s Campaign for Excellence, the five-year, $ 12-million fund-raising drive in support of the university.
He replaces Ashpy P. Lowrimore, who chaired the campaign steering committee until his untimely death in November.
FMU President Fred Carter said that he was delighted that Emerson Gower has agreed to assume a major leadership role during the balance of FMU?s first-ever capital campaign.
?Emerson Gower is well known and well respected throughout the Pee Dee region,? said Carter. ?As a member of Gower the campaign steering committee, he?s already familiar with the university?s fund-raising needs and will help us reach our $12 million goal over the coming months.?
?The economic success of our region is dependent upon the continued growth and development of Francis Marion University,? said Gower. ?This capital campaign is vital to maintaining a strong university in the Pee Dee that
provides higher education opportunities for future generations of students.?
T. Graham Edwards, who is leaving his role as executive director of the FMU Foundation, will assist Gower in community leadership of the campaign.
M. Scott Faulkenberry of Mt. Pleasant will replace Edwards as	executive	director of the
foundation.	A native	of Chesterfield
County, Faulkenberry assumes the chief administrative fund-raising role for the FMU Foundation.
?Scott Faulkenberry brings a wealth of fund-raising experience to the foundation staff,? said Carter. He added that he was most grateful that Edwards had Faulkenberry agreed to stay involved in the campaign on	a volunteer	basis. ?We have	passed the	halfway mark in
a short period	of time, largely	due to the	work of Graham
Edwards and a cadre of community volunteers,? he said.
Gower is vice president of the southern region for CP&L, a Progress Energy company. He joined CP&L in
Please see GOWER, Page 2