Dr. Knight Joins FDTC Area Commission
Florence-Darlington Tech (FDTC) welcomes Dr. Lorraine “Rainey” Harris Knight as the newest member of the FDTC Area Commission. With more than four decades of experience in education and extensive service to organizations throughout the Pee Dee region and South Carolina, Knight brings a wealth of educational leadership and community experience to the Commission.
“Dr. Knight’s experience and commitment to education make her an exceptional addition to our board,” FDTC Area Commission Chairman Clint Moore said. “Her understanding of the educational landscape and her leadership throughout Darlington County will be valuable as we continue to strengthen Florence-Darlington Technical College.”
A longtime Hartsville resident, Knight has dedicated her career to improving educational opportunities for students and strengthening the communities she serves. She spent 14 years as superintendent of the Darlington County School District, where she led initiatives that resulted in significant academic and student success, including the district achieving the highest graduation rate in South Carolina and the second-lowest dropout rate in the state.
During her tenure as superintendent, Knight also oversaw the successful passage of a $48 million school bond referendum, expanded countywide school choice opportunities and established seven magnet options for students. Under her leadership, the district became the third-highest academically performing school district in South Carolina, and the county developed a top-ranked academic magnet school.
“I am still a teacher at heart,” Knight said. “Serving on the Florence-Darlington Technical College Area Commission gives me an opportunity to continue making a difference in the lives of students, and that truly excites me. I look forward to working alongside this distinguished board and helping advance the mission and future of FDTC.”
Knight currently serves as Director of Innovation for the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee and works as an educational consultant with school districts and state agencies throughout South Carolina and the Southeast. Earlier in her career, she taught and coached at Cheraw High School, served as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Carolina, and worked with the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Research.
She has also served on numerous professional and civic boards, including the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees, Coker College Board of Trustees, Darlington County Economic Partnership, Darlington County Education Foundation, Pee Dee Education Center, Darlington Free Medical Clinic and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees. She has also served as chairman of the TEACH Foundation and the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project Steering Committee for the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Knight earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Francis Marion College in 1977, a master’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina in 1980, and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of South Carolina in 1991.
Her career and community leadership have earned numerous honors, including South Carolina Superintendent of the Year in 2012, the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year in 2012, the Francis Marion University Professional Industry Achievement Award in Education in 2013, and the Jimmy Newsome Signature Award for Excellence in Education in 2014.
Knight lives in Hartsville. She has one son, Harris, a daughter-in-law, Katie, and 2 grandchildren, Allison and Mary Katherine.
The FDTC Area Commission provides leadership and oversight for Florence-Darlington Technical College and works to advance the College’s mission of providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality technical education and workforce training to the communities it serves.