On Jan. 1, Dollie Newhouse will assume the role of registrar at Francis Marion University.

Newhouse is taking on this role because Beth McLean is retiring from the position of registrar. McLean has worked at FMU for 17 years. Overall, McLean has worked in higher education for 33 years.

Newhouse said that she thinks very highly of McLean and the legacy that she is leaving at FMU.

“She has been a wonderful registrar and has a wonderful reputation,” New-house said. “The faculty and staff think very highly of her.”

Newhouse has been at FMU since 2002. Throughout that time, she has been an English instructor and worked in Career Development.

Newhouse said that she thinks that her work in Career Development will help her in the transition to registrar.

“There are many similarities,” Newhouse said. “In addition to counseling students, it is also managing all the records and transcripts of students that have ever attended. A big part of registrar is managing the data.”

Newhouse said that she is excited about becoming registrar because of the challenges as well as the similarities of that position.

“I’ve immensely enjoyed being the director of career development, and I will miss my colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs and, of course, working with the students,” Newhouse said. “I will be doing that but in a different capacity. Much of what I like about this job, I will continue to do in the next one.”

McLean said that she thinks Newhouse will do a great job fulfilling the role of registrar.

“This isn’t a one woman show; this is a team effort,” McLean said. “Dollie is going to have a wonderful support team. … Dollie is going to love them because they have so much knowledge.”

McLean said this position is a big responsibility.

“This is a huge job; it can be all-consuming sometimes, but any job is that way,” McLean said. “It’s what you put in it.”

McLean spoke about the aspects she loved about working in registrar and said that she will miss the students and the people.

“Working as registrar is having a chance every day to help students reach their goals,” McLean said. “This has been my career.It is not a job or position; I’ve dedicated my life to education.”