Francis Marion trustees name building after university president

After a board of trustees meeting Thursday night, Dr. Fred Carter’s legacy at Francis Marion University is all but written in stone. In a surprise to Carter, the board voted unanimously to name the new downtown health sciences facility the Luther F. Carter Center for Health Sciences.

“Mr. President, on behalf of the board I want to express to you our heartfelt appreciation for your outstanding leadership for 16 years,” said Chairman George McIntyre. “I think we can all agree that Francis Marion has ascended to levels that we just dreamed about years ago, under your leadership. We are truly fulfilling the commission that this university was founded on in 1970.”

The resolution named a few of Carter’s accomplishments including being a recipient of the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Public Service Award. He is the author of five books, has served two South Carolina governors, Mark Sanford and Carroll Campbell, and has achieved the rank of retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

The resolution also said that as the fourth president of Francis Marion, Carter has “Restored and continues to foster a strong sense of community and pride in the institution.”

Carter sat quietly while the resolution was read but was visibly emotional as he thanked the board for the honor it was bestowing upon him.

“I didn’t quite see this one coming,” Carter said. “This board has been very generous to me and my family over the years. This is quite the privilege; it’s quite an honor.”

The auditorium of the Carter Center will be named for W. Haigh Porter and Dr. Sompong Kraikit, two longtime supporters of the university. Carter said it is an honor to have his name alongside theirs.

“Having my name linked on a facility with that of Haigh Porter and Sompong Kraikit is phenomenal,” Carter said. “They are two people in this community who have done so much for the community and this university. I am deeply appreciative, Mr. Chairman, to the board and to my faculty for whom I have great esteem, and to the staff as well. Thank you very much.”

Porter, is a former Florence mayor and is the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation’s grant chairman. A medical simulation lab will be named for Kraikit, a retired nephrologist who has supported FMU.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 8:24 PM with the headline "Francis Marion trustees name building after university president."