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The Frances Mims Lecture Series @ Anderson University Established in 1996 More than any other person, retired English professor Francis Mims is responsible for having drawn distinguished visiting writers and poets to Anderson University. This endowed lecture series seeks to honor her accomplishment and to build on the strong foundation established by Dr. Mims, who taught at Anderson for a total of 28 years. Such names as Gwendolyn Brooks, Dr. Richard Selzer, Robert Penn Warren, James Dickey, Eleanora Tate, Ernest Gaines, Kaye Gibbons, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rick Bragg have appeared on programs over the years. Dr. Mims was also instrumental in establishing the South Carolina Academy of Authors, and in 1991 was named a life member of the Academy's Board of Govenors. For several summers Dr. Mims organized and conducted writers' conferences on the campus. Through the support of friends, faculty, and the community, the series has become a reality.