2012 Commencement Speaker Announced

12/02/11

Spartanburg, SC -- President Colleen Keith announced the keynote speaker for Commencement 2012.

Dr. James Ron Faulkenberry, a 1967 graduate of Spartanburg Junior College, will speak to the 2012 SMC graduates at Commencement on May 4th.

Currently the Dean of the School of Education at Francis Marion University, Faulkenberry has a lot of pride in his time at Spartanburg Junior College, stating, "SJC was a Godsend for me. I could not have competed at a larger college and certainly would not have gone as far as I have without the start that you gave me."

A long time teacher, coach and health educator in South Carolina public schools, Faulkenberry began at Francis Marion in 1974. In 2003, he became Dean of the School of Education. He has won awards for his commitment to advancing health and physical education programs from the South Carolina Association for the Advancement of Health Education and the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Faulkenberry's wife, Edwina, is also a 1967 graduate of Spartanburg Junior College. She teaches in the Florence school system.