About D. Keith Best

David Keith Best, a native of Valdosta, GA, arrived at Francis Marion University in 1993 after having earned his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at the University of Louisville in 1993 and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Valdosta State University in 1986.

From 2008 until 2012 he served as the Chair of the Faculty at the University. A winner of the Charlene Wages Shared Governance Award in 2005, Professor Best was a member of the Faculty Senate for eleven years prior to serving as Secretary of the Senate and Vice-Chair of the Senate.

President of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors from 2004-2008, he has also served on over 20 university committees, many for several years.

In May of 2012, he received a Doctorate of Humanities (Honorary) from Francis Marion University and delivered the commencement speech, and he served as an Associate Provost of the University from 2013-2015.

Best currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Fine Arts. He was named FMU’s J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor for the 2017-18 academic year.

As a teacher, Professor Best has taken a group of students to the Southeastern Theatre Conference for several years with the assistance of grants from the Quality Enhancement Program. Each year he serves as a chaperone and theatre guide for the annual Honors trip to locations like New York City and Washington, D.C.

On a more personal level, he is a long-time meditator, writes music, and enjoys the company of cats and dogs.