USC faculty to talk presidential politics at panel discussion

With Election Day just more than a week away, USC political science faculty members will share their insights about this year’s presidential race in a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Monday in the Gambrell Hall auditorium.

The event is free and open to the public.

Donald Fowler, an adjunct faculty member in the department of political science and S.C. Honors College, and a former chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party and National Democratic Party, will lead the discussion.

Panelists will include four scholars whose research focuses on different aspects of U.S. politics – Charles Finocchiaro on the U.S. Congress, Robert Oldendick on public opinion and polling, Todd Shaw on African-American politics and social movements, and Laura Woliver on interest groups and gender and politics.

Francis Marion to host Pee Dee Fiction and Poetry Festival

FLORENCE The seventh annual Pee Dee Fiction and Poetry Festival will be held Nov. 8 and 9 at Francis Marion University.

The festival will bring to campus four nationally known authors – Todd Boss, Danielle Evans, Nikky Finney and Larry Watson. The event, featuring readings, lectures and panel discussions, is free and open to the public.

Finney, a S.C. native, received the 2011 National Book Award for Poetry for her collection entitled “Head Off & Split.”

Citadel cadets give back on Leadership Day

CHARLESTON About 2,000 cadets, active-duty and veteran students at The Citadel took part in Leadership Day Wednesday, helping out at a Charleston area food bank and an elementary school, and cleaning up athletic fields.

It was the second year the military college has held the daylong program, designed to foster learning outside the classroom by helping the community.

Staff and wire reports