April 17, 2008
Gourley Named FMU's Distinguished Professor
FLORENCE, S.C. – A. Glen Gourley of Florence has been selected the J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor for the 2007-08 year
at Francis Marion University.
Announced at a campus banquet April 17, this 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.
The award, named in honor of the former chairman of the FMU Board of Trustees, is the highest honor to be bestowed upon a faculty member. It will be presented at FMU's spring commencement Saturday, May 3. The award carries a cash prize.
As a result of his selection, Gourley will be the Francis Marion University nominee for the Governor’s Professor of the Year Award competition next fall.
"Glen is an extraordinary, gifted professor who consistently exemplifies outstanding scholarship and service to FMU and to the community," said FMU president Fred Carter. "He is most worthy of this recognition."
Gourley is a native of Sweetwater, Tenn. He has been a member of the FMU faculty since 1985. He is a professor of theatre arts and speech, and received the Award of Excellence in Service in 2004.
Gourley was recently appointed to the Peter D. Hyman Chair in Art. This chair is named for a respected Florence attorney, who served in the state House of Representatives in the late 1960s, where he was instrumental in the founding of Francis Marion University.
He has directed more than 25 theatre productions at FMU and has been a judge, consultant or adjudicator for numerous pageants and theatre performances throughout the state. From 1985 to 1999, he held a number of positions with the Cherokee, N.C., outdoor drama "Unto These Hills." He also has been involved in Ocunluftee Little Symphony productions, Glassboro Summer Theatre, Florence Little Theatre, Encore Theatre Co., Lake City Community Theatre, Manning Back Porch Players, Hartsville Community Theatre and dozens of public school projects.
He earned an associate's degree from Hiwassee College, a bachelor's degree in theatre from the University of Montevallo and a master's in fine arts from the University of Mississippi.
Release contact: Angela Crosland (843-661-1227, office; acrosland@fmarion.edu, e-mail)
View FMU news releases online at www.fmarion.edu/news
