Jon Tuttle named FMU's Distinguished Professor

Jon Tuttle, professor of English at Francis Marion University, was announced as FMU’s J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor for the 2013-14 academic year at the school’s annual faculty awards dinner Thursday night.

The award, named in honor of a former chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees, is the highest honor to be bestowed upon an FMU faculty member. While it was announced at Thursday’s dinner, it will be presented formally at FMU’s spring commencement Saturday, May 3.

The award has been given since the 1975-76 school year and is based upon a faculty member’s contributions to teaching, professional service and scholarly activities. It is FMU’s highest academic award and also means Tuttle will be the FMU nominee for the Governor’s Professor of the Year Award competition in the fall.

“Jon Tuttle has made significant contributions to Francis Marion University and its students through his teaching, his scholarship and his leadership of our honors program,” said Dr. Luther F. Carter, Francis Marion University’s president. “The university is a better place because he’s here.”

Tuttle joined the FMU faculty in 1990. He specializes in dramatic and modern literature. Tuttle is director of FMU’s Honors Program and co-coordinator of the international studies program.

Tuttle is also playwright-in-residence and literary manager at Trustus Theatre in Columbia. His plays have won national and regional awards and have been produced or received staged readings in 25 states.

Tuttle also has published numerous articles, made many academic presentations, conducted writers' workshops and served as adjudicator for various playwriting and fellowship competitions. He is a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Alpha Psi Omega Dramatic Fraternity.

Tuttle earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Utah, and master's and doctoral degrees in English from the University of New Mexico, where he also taught. He also earned a certificate in modern British literature and culture from Edinburgh University in Scotland.

In 2010, Tuttle received the Award for Excellence in Service by FMU.



In an unusual convergence, the announcement of Tuttle as the award winner coincided with his birthday.

New Leadership, New Location for the Florence Regional Arts Alliance

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) recently moved its office to the Educational Foundation Building at Francis Marion University.  “This is great move for our organization,” said Bruce Douglas, the new Executive Director of FRAA.  “Jay Dowd and Dr. Carter have been very gracious in partnering with us and we are excited about our connection with one of South Carolina’s most prestigious and rapidly growing universities,” added FRAA President Brad Parham. 

FRAA is moving from a facility on Dargan Street it called home for almost ten years.  “The building was really not suited for us in terms of the direction we plan to move the organization,” said Douglas.  “Our move will cut down on overhead costs, allowing us to put more money in our programs.  Ultimately, we will be paying less in bills and more to artists and arts educators.”

Douglas noted that, along with Dowd and Carter, FMU professors Jon Tuttle and Keith Best were instrumental in helping the partnership between the university and FRAA come to reality.  “Jon and Keith initiated the conversation.  Without them, we wouldn’t be making this move.”

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting, and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts. 

For more information about FRAA, visit their website: peedeearts.org.