Florence One’s new state-of-the art eSports facility features two banks of computers on a raised platform where 12 students, six on each side, sit back-to-back. Each student has his or her own monitor and keyboard on which to play. Tables for spectator viewing are placed around the outside of the platform.

Francis Marion University professors, left to right, Karen Fries, William E. Bolt, Larry P. Engelhardt, Allison Munn, and Shawn Smolen-Morten. Engelhardt was recognized as the university’s distinguished professor for 2019-20. The other four were honored for their outstanding service.

Dr. Larry Engelhardt joined the FMU faculty in 2006. Aside from his skills as a professor and researcher, Engelhardt proved vital in the University’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He was crucial in providing fellow faculty members with tools and tutorials in providing top-notch remote education.