Furman University 2019 President’s Report Furman University 2019 President’s Report

Contents A Message from the President...... p. 2 The Furman Advantage...... p. 8 For Every Student...... p. 16 Cultivating Leaders...... p. 23 An Educated Citizenry...... p. 24 Competing and Succeeding...... p. 29 Community Impact...... p. 32 Make It Possible...... p. 38 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING

“The imposing edifice of science provides The research shows that this approach a challenging view of what can be works. In the national Furman-Gallup achieved by the accumulation of many study launched nearly two years ago, Furman alumni across generations report small efforts in a steady objective and having had higher-than-national-average dedicated search for truth.” levels of the emotional and engaged learning — CHARLES TOWNES, father of the LASER, experiences that make up Gallup’s Nobel Prize-winner in physics and 1935 “Big Six” indicators for well-lived lives. Furman University graduate Moreover, Furman alumni score at least The Furman Advantage is a simple idea: 14 points higher than the national average Combine emotional support and engaged in each of the five indicators of well-being. learning with outstanding mentoring and On campus, our faculty and staff are in the excellent academics. Track and connect it all – top 5% of the most engaged employees in thoughtfully and purposefully – and students higher education and the top 25% across all will graduate ready to pursue fulfilling lives. industries — both off the charts, according to Gallup. Why is this important? Because But explaining this can be difficult. So, the No. 1 driver of student engagement is I asked our communications team to faculty engagement. develop an infographic (page 9). The image is a combination of rings representing The research is also showing us areas the different components of The Furman where we can improve — and we’re on it. Advantage — classroom learning, mentoring We’re increasing our efforts to build affinity and advising, engaged learning and career/ and to prove the value of a Furman degree. graduate preparation. At the center – at its We’re also building an ecosystem of career core – is “reflection.” support for students, with such discussions starting when students arrive at Furman and Reflection powers The Furman Advantage, continuing through their four-year pathways. and it drives the change, growth and understanding that our students experience As you can see in the following pages, in their four years at Furman. we’ve made great strides in a number of areas, including increasing our community We launched The Furman Advantage in the connections and diversity and inclusion, fall of 2016 with $47 million from The Duke all of which are critical to providing the Endowment. It is our promise to provide educational experience our students every student with an educational experience deserve and need to become engaged that will prepare them for meaningful and and responsible citizens. successful lives and careers. Please join us in reflecting on our calling So, as we look back on this past year, and looking ahead to an ambitious future. celebrate our accomplishments, and think about the future, we reflect on our calling, with a reminder to always focus on students and the student experience.

President Elizabeth Davis

2 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING FURMAN REFLECTIONUNIVERSITY 3 Furman University the country. Furman is also #46 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges is consistently ranked among the recognized as one of the nation’s U.S. News & World Report nation’s top colleges. Whether “greenest” and most environmentally the accolades involve outstanding responsible colleges, appearing academics, affordability, meaningful in the Sierra Club’s “Cool School” interactions between faculty rankings and earning a STARS gold and students, a commitment to rating from the Association for the sustainability, student success Advancement of Sustainability in or a beautiful campus, you’ll find Higher Education. And you can't Furman listed among the best. beat Furman’s campus, which recently made Architectural Digest’s U.S. News & World Report ranks the “The 50 Most Beautiful Colleges university as the top-rated liberal in America,” as well as House arts and sciences institution in South Beautiful’s “30 of the Most Beautiful Carolina and includes it among College Campuses in the World.” “The Most Innovative Schools” in 5 MOST INNOVATIVE #4 #9 MOST POLITICALLY BEST SCHOOLS FOR ACTIVE STUDENTS MAKING AN IMPACT The Princeton Review The Princeton Review

# # 17 21 U.S. News & World Report MOST ACCESSIBLE TOP COLLEGES SCHOOLS PROFESSORS IN THE SOUTH The Princeton Review Forbes’ “America’s Top Colleges” #12 Best Undergraduate Teaching U.S. News & World Report THE BEST AMONG THE BEST 384 COLLEGES VALUE COLLEGES The Princeton Review The Princeton Review #3 Best Colleges for Veterans U.S. News & World Report

4 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING FURMAN UNIVERSITY 5 “We developed emotional bonds through our teams, organizations and classes and met groups of people who, if we had not met them, our lives would be radically different.”

— IMANI-GRACE KING ’19 Key Account Manager at DFS Creative Concepts

Imani-Grace King ’19, in Milford Sound, New Zealand, during study away.

6 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE 7 THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE

We know that graduates who are YEAR ONE: EXPLORE & DISCOVER emotionally supported and have • Settle into a new environment and gain a sense of belonging deep learning experiences in college • Connect with your adviser are three times more likely to be • Begin to discover skills, interests and goals engaged at work and thriving through academic coursework and activities in life. YEAR TWO: EXAMINE & DECIDE • Prepare for engaged learning opportunities At Furman, we build on our through coursework and conversations with historic strengths to guarantee all advisers and mentors students an unparalleled education • Begin to explore opportunities in engaged learning that combines classroom learning • Select a major that meets life and career goals with real-world experiences and YEAR THREE: CONNECT & REFINE self-discovery. • Focus area of study through classroom learning, © 2019 Furman University reflection, mentors and advisers This integrated four-year pathway, • Select engaged learning such as an internship, guided by a diverse community study away, research or community project President Elizabeth Davis of mentors, prepares students for • Apply knowledge and skills to meet real-world challenges launched The Furman Advantage lives of purpose and accelerated in 2016 with $47 million from career and community impact — YEAR FOUR: SYNTHESIZE & INITIATE The Duke Endowment. demonstrating in concrete terms • Reflect upon experiences the value of a Furman education. • Integrate all you have done to create your narrative for employers and graduate schools • Graduate ready to pursue meaningful This is lives and careers THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE.

REFLECTION Mentors, faculty and advisers encourage students to reflect on their experiences to make informed decisions about their paths.

8 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE 9 The Furman-Gallup Study highly engaged at work and thriving in Are we fulfilling our promise life. But in what ways do we build upon and providing lifelong value to these strengths? How do we ensure graduates? In what ways? that every student benefits from Are there gaps? The Furman Advantage?

With support from The Duke A FURMAN EDUCATION Endowment, Furman University Our students and graduates have an partnered with Gallup to raise these advantage. From professors who care questions, establish a baseline and about their students to strong mentors develop a plan forward. Since the who encourage them to pursue their partnership began, we have surveyed goals and dreams, Furman University our students, alumni, faculty and staff surpasses the national average in to measure engagement. Gallup’s “Big Six” college experiences. Positive experiences in these six areas With our alumni study, we have mean that our alumni are more likely identified historic strengths that have to be engaged at work and thriving in produced Furman graduates who, their lives. compared to national averages, are

GALLUP’S ‘BIG SIX’ FOR SUCCESS

FURMAN ALUMNI NATIONAL AVERAGE

Strongly agreed they had “professors who cared Strongly agreed they “had a job or about me as a person” internship that allowed me to apply 52% what I was learning in the classroom” 29% 62% 60% Strongly agreed they “had at least one professor who made me excited about learning” Strongly agreed they “worked on 82% a project that took a semester or 66% more to complete” 43% Strongly agreed they “had a mentor who 37% encouraged my goals and dreams” Strongly agreed they were “extremely 40% 24% active in extracurricular activities” 44% 21%

Kerry Sease, a pediatrician with Prisma Health, speaks with Medical-Legal Partnership intern Charlie Weeks ’19.

10 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE 11 Crystal Brockington ’18, a Furman Metropolitan Fellow during the summer LIFE AFTER FURMAN of 2017, walks in New York City, where WHAT ALUMNI HAVE TO SAY OUR PATH FORWARD she interned at Discovery and MSNBC. Our alumni consistently report By leveraging our strengths and having benefited from Gallup’s “Big addressing any gaps, we’re excited to 96% Six” emotional support and engaged- see in real numbers the impact that learning experiences. The “Big Six,” The Furman Advantage is having for our placement rate six months which reflect best practices in higher students and graduates. Our research after graduation (employed education, mirror Furman’s challenge- will guide us in getting even better at or in graduate school) and-support model: the academic vision what we do. undergirding The Furman Advantage. ALREADY ... Compared to the national average, • We’re doubling down on our efforts to Furman alumni are three times more build affinity and prove the value of a likely to be thriving in their lives and Furman degree. 34% well-being. In fact, among Gallup’s five • We’re placing more emphasis on of most recent year graduates well-being indices – purpose, social, developing lifelong habits of reflection. enrolled in graduate school financial, community and physical – Furman alumni scored at least 14 points • We’re building an ecosystem of career or another university in the higher than the national average. support for students with earlier and fall semester multiple touch points during their FACULTY AND STAFF ARE four-year pathways. CRITICAL TO SUCCESS • And we’ll continue to measure and Furman faculty and staff engagement report on how we’re doing to ensure TOP EMPLOYERS: results place us in the top quartile for we’re delivering on our promise. ACCENTURE workplace engagement. As Gallup’s AMAZON research in higher education has AMERICORPS revealed, faculty and staff engagement BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON is the No. 1 driver of student engagement. DELOITTE ERNST & YOUNG IBM JET PROGRAM USA FURMAN GRADUATES ARE THRIVING IN ALL TOP 5% JP MORGAN CHASE & CO. WELL-BEING ELEMENTS of engaged faculty MERRILL LYNCH and staff in higher NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FDN. FURMAN ALUMNI NATIONAL AVERAGE education PEACE CORPS PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE PRISMA HEALTH

65% PROJECT HOPE 62% PWC 58% QUALTRICS % TOP 25% 50% S&P GLOBAL 47 46% %

44% most engaged SALESFORCE 41 employees across

35% SCANSOURCE

30% all industries TARGET CORP. TEACH FOR AMERICA URBAN INST. U.S. CONGRESS U.S. DEPT. OF DEFENSE Purpose Social Financial Community Physical U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE WELLS FARGO

12 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE 13 Professor of Education George Lipscomb outside Herman N. Hipp Hall.

“While many students come into Furman with definite views on their futures, giving them the space to explore is crucial to the Pathways experience, and I have enjoyed being part of their educational and personal journeys.”

— GEORGE LIPSCOMB Professor of Education

14 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING FOR EVERY STUDENT 15 provided by the Council of Independent Technologies, Indeed.com, Home Depot's Colleges and the Lilly Endowment, corporate office and the Centers for supports the development of academic Disease Control and Prevention. FOR EVERY STUDENT department programming and resources. The grant is specifically focused on The breadth and depth of Furman’s professional development and reflection Engaged Learning Program was The results are everywhere — in the interests and skills. Reflecting on these on careers and life after Furman. A demonstrated in April at the 11th annual survey data, in the engaged learning experiences advances students’ sense of workshop over the summer focused on Furman Engaged!, a day-long celebration experiences, and in each immersive, purpose and prepares them to pursue a giving faculty the resources and support of immersive learning experiences. life of impact, whether in graduate school, defining experience that lays the to refine their department’s curricular More than 600 students presented, professional school or employment. groundwork for a meaningful four and co-curricular offerings. The goal: to while more than 1,200 students, faculty, years. But for those who are a part meet their students’ needs and to extend staff, alumni, parents and community The first cohort of the two-year of a pilot program, it all starts with a their pathways into majors. members attended sessions. Pathways Advising Program – made up two-year advising plan that students of 85 students, seven faculty advisers and Throughout the day, we saw tangible enter their first year to ease their one staff adviser – has now completed the Learning through experience From studying Shakespeare at Stratford- evidence of what students learned about transition to college and explore their second year, while the second cohort – upon-Avon to mentoring underserved their disciplines and about themselves. individualized pathway. For those made up of 142 students, six faculty and kids at a local farm, our students fully The following month, about 300 students students, the promise of The Furman six staff advisers, and two peer mentors immersed themselves in real-world participated in a MayX study away Advantage unfolds from there through – has completed its first year. The good challenges. These experiences – an program — from studying biology in student-faculty research, study away, news is that across both cohorts, students internship, study away, research or Ecuador to environmental issues in community engagement, internships reported greater satisfaction with advising, community project – are what engaged China to slow food in Italy. More than an increased sense of belonging and higher and direct connections to employers. learning is all about. And each one brings 200 participated in a semester study scores on items measuring resilience. students closer to defining their purpose away program. These students also rated themselves as A guided journey after graduation. having a greater sense of purpose. A life of purpose does not take shape The Center for Engaged Learning

by accident. Furman students are on a The Internship Office has expanded its oversees and facilitates these high-impact, Meanwhile, advisers reported forming four-year pathway, synthesizing what they Sophomore Engaged shadowing program co-curricular opportunities. This year, deeper relationships with their first-year learn both in and out of the classroom, to Atlanta. About 20 alumni and friends it supported more students over the advisees in the Pathways program. informed by conversations with mentors of Furman hosted students in their summer through the summer fellows For third- and fourth-year students, a and advisers, and using their engaged places of work, which included Keysight program. The number of undergraduate learning experiences to refine their values, Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education Program Development Grant,

Students camp in the Central Rocky Mountains during a MayX course.

16 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING FOR EVERY STUDENT 17 research fellows increased 23%, and Students met with staff members 81% 72% summer internship fellows rose by from the organizations, learned from 40%. Summer research fellows conduct a panel of industry professionals and of the class of 2019 “strongly of the class of 2019 “strongly agree” or full-time research on campus for eight discussed failure, overcoming adversity agree” that they had at least “agree” that they had an internship or to 10 weeks. Summer internship fellows and the diverse career possibilities that one professor who made them job that allowed them to apply what work full time for eight to 10 weeks in nonprofits offer. Greenville, South Carolina, Washington, excited about learning they were learning in the classroom D.C., Atlanta, Georgia, other U.S. cities, This fall, the Center for Engaged and abroad. The Internship Office assists Learning, the Internship Office and the students in locating and applying for Malone Center for Career Engagement summer and academic-year internships. will offer students an Opportunity Fair. The inaugural fair targets organizations 92% 54% The Office of Undergraduate Research with a broader regional and national of the class of 2019 reported of the class of 2019 participated supports student-faculty research presence and connects students directly collaborations, and Furman’s with organizations, allowing students having an engaged learning in a semester-long or MayX undergraduate research efforts in and alumni to explore internship and experience at Furman study-away program all disciplines have earned national full-time career opportunities. prominence.

A broad variety of indicators show that Furman is particularly strong in undergraduate research in the math and sciences. These indicators include more than 150 students who engage in summer research from math/science disciplines, a high rate of success in earning highly competitive federal grant funding, student/faculty coauthored publications in highly regarded, peer-reviewed journals across multiple disciplines, and national recognition of student and faculty excellence through numerous individual awards.

A direct career connection This year, the Paladin Career Treks program brought students experiences spanning a variety of sectors. Students on the science and technology trek visited BioLabs, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline and AgBiome in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. Students on a fall trek to New York City visited major employers, such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Penguin Random House. A pre-law trek took students inside the U.S. Supreme Court, while closer to home, a nonprofit trek showed students the inner workings of United Ministries, Students walk to United Ministries in Greenville, South Carolina, during a nonprofit the Kroc Center and United Way. career trek in 2019. The experience helped Smith Childs ’20 (second from right) Smith Childs ’20 envision a career serving the public.

18 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING FOR EVERY STUDENT 19 Rish Agarwal ’19, who is from India, majored in mathematics and economics at Furman and is now pursuing a Master of Science in business analytics at Wake Forest.

“Furman challenges you to be the best version of yourself — to venture out of your comfort zone, delve into experiences in and outside of the classroom, and really grow as a person.”

— RISH AGARWAL ’19 Graduate Student at the Wake Forest School of Business

20 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING CULTIVATING LEADERS 21 2,768 UNDERGRADUATE CULTIVATING LEADERS STUDENTS Something brought them here. Attracting the ultra-curricular From neighboring counties to Furman was pleased to welcome 711 first- far-off countries. Furman is year students for the 2018-19 academic known for attracting ultra- year. These students are some of the best and brightest in the nation, with more curricular students. It’s here 14 than 40% ranking in the top 10% of their AVERAGE that their need to achieve and high school graduating class, an average CLASS SIZE driving desire to discover SAT score of 1342 and average ACT score of is embraced. Learning and 30. Joining these first-year students are 20 training alongside renowned transfer students. faculty and guided by a This class is one of the most diverse groups dedicated team of mentors of students in the university’s history, with and advisers, Furman 10:1 22% domestically diverse students and 5% STUDENT-TO- students forge their own from outside the United States. Furman FACULTY RATIO four-year pathway through continues to foster an environment where more than 60 areas of study, students with different backgrounds undergraduate research, and perspectives find success through a combination of outstanding academics, study away and internship dedicated mentoring and powerful career opportunities. preparation opportunities.

Diverse backgrounds and perspectives Admissions fall 2018 After graduation, Madison Schoen ’17 joined the U.S. Army as an active-duty engineer officer. 2,768 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS APPLICATIONS: 5,469 OFFERS OF ADMISSION: 3,339 Men: 41% International: 3.5% ENROLLED: 731 Women: 59% First-year: 3.1%

• African-American: 7% First-year Class COST OF ATTENDANCE (2018-19) Tuition $49,152 • Asian: 2% • African-American: 7% Fees $380 • Hispanic: 6% • Asian: 3% Room (average) $7,680 • White: 76% • Hispanic: 5% Board (average) $5,758 • Multiracial or other: 5% • White: 78% • Multiracial or other: 5% Total Direct Costs $62,970 • Total diversity: 22%

41 STATES REPRESENTED 29 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED 102 GRADUATE STUDENTS

22 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING CULTIVATING LEADERS 23 with faculty and community be met each year by faculty into a life well-lived. And more partners who could help them who not only reflect academic often than not, students seek both understand why such social achievement through the degrees a mentor who has a common AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY issues permeate and to reflect on they’ve earned, but also by the connection to that transition. how their experience influenced lives they've lived along the It is why a 10:1 student-to-faculty their individualized pathways. journey. Whether a student is ratio is so critical to Furman’s Throughout history, the liberal heart with a knowledge of privilege, the first in their family to go to educational success. In 2016- community engagement and leadership arts and sciences were dedicated to college or a third-generation 17, we hired 13 tenure-track to allow our students to build coalitions A community of mentors developing an educated citizenry Each year, new students arrive at Paladin, a student of color or faculty, 11 of whom increased of citizens willing to work toward for the betterment of society. As Furman. They are not only new to a white student, a Christian our diversity. In 2017-18, we equitable social change across the our community, but new in their student or one who professes a hired 19 tenure-track faculty; our institutions opened their doors spectrums of economics, race, political life experiences, in the style of different faith or no faith at all, 14 were diverse hires. Using an beyond a privileged subset of affiliation, religion, ability, sexuality, parenting they received, and in an LGBT+ student, a rural open-rank search similar to the individuals, that mission evolved regionalism, gender identity and more. the diverse composition of those student or of any other myriad strategies employed by search

and strengthened. Underrepresented they lived, learned and played of lived experiences, they look to firms seeking out top talent, we Out of this plan came the launch of the voices and ideas challenged with in the years preceding find a mentor who models that hired two full professors and four Center for Inclusive Communities in previously unexamined notions college. Our students should the college transition can bloom associate professors. 2017. Its two goals are to enhance student of societal progress. And our flourishing by supporting the immediate educated citizenry began to reflect and long-term success of Furman’s and equitably engage in their historically underrepresented students, communities. Accordingly, diversity using current research on belonging, became the engine that allowed well-being and career engagement; and to develop engaged citizens by making liberal arts and sciences to not only real the citizenship promise of a liberal be relevant in the current age arts and sciences education, graduating but also to excel in its mission. students who appreciate difference, value community and are prepared to A culture of belonging make a lasting impact. This past year, Furman undertook efforts to understand who it historically Faculty, students and staff worked to privileged at the expense of others and translate hallmark programs at state how we can remove barriers to access public flagships to the liberal arts and and achievement. sciences experience. The result launched academic courses and co-curricular Since launching The Furman Advantage workshops that bring individuals who in 2016, Furman has adapted its critical have historically been at odds together analysis of the student experience to dialogue across their differences. to better deliver on its promise. The We have celebrated heritage months conversation pushed Furman to the to encourage students to explore their forefront of universities talking about identities and invite others to learn from student belonging. We developed friends. We connected students desiring a strategic plan to match a servant to do service during school breaks

Baseline in July 2016 for Estimate for the 2019-20 In 2019-20, we will have 237 the 2016-17 academic year: academic year: faculty (235 in 2015-16): • 35% FEMALE FACULTY • 42% FEMALE FACULTY • 99 FEMALE FACULTY • 11.7% FACULTY OF COLOR • 16.5% FACULTY OF COLOR • 39 FACULTY OF COLOR Shaniece Criss, assistant professor of health science, with Jackie Hirons ’20 in Plyler Hall. 24 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY 25 Task Force on In October 2018, the Board of Read the “Seeking Abraham” in a curriculum specifically designed We also: Slavery and Justice Trustees accepted the task force report to learn more about the around the challenges identified by • Focused recruiting efforts in Asia With the support of the Board report, “Seeking Abraham,” approved recommendations at Furman’s four-year resiliency study, (China, India and Japan), Southeast Asia of Trustees and the president endorsed expanding the Joseph furman.edu/tfsj. with a result that students reported a (Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and provost, the Task Force on Vaughn Scholarship to a $1 million greater sense of belonging and support and Korea) and South America (Brazil, Slavery and Justice was formed annual award, and designated $3 The pace of growth at Furman as compared to their peers. Colombia and Chile). million in endowment to ensure it Students’ maturation from in the spring of 2017 to examine • Participated in private college fairs, is offered in perpetuity, and they adolescence to adulthood requires Finally, Furman’s university-wide effort Furman University’s historical presentations, workshops, case studies encouraged the administration scaffolded challenges and timely to support students who are first in their connections to slavery and to help and small- group travel. Furman better understand and and faculty to move forward in support. Without academic and family to attend college was recognized learn from its past. This pursuit considering the report’s other social challenges, students fail by naming Furman a “First Forward” • Hosted workshops and webinars through to grow. However, too much campus in an inaugural cohort of EducationUSA Advising Centers. challenge without support may institutions across the country, 16 of • Partnered with Sichuan University in be overwhelming. Furman which were among the top 50 in U.S. Chengdu, China, and five high schools in professors and staff understand News and World Report-ranked schools. Mexico to increase scholarship offerings. that determining when to • Brought the AGAPE English Language push and when to intervene is Extending the promise Institute to Furman to support as complex as each student’s International recruitment remains a top English proficiency for incoming individualized path. priority for the university, as we continue international students. to elevate the exposure and reputation of Holistic well-being Furman around the world. These students • Collaborated with 17 United World Based on data from Furman’s bring not only a diversity of thought and Colleges high schools to expand four-year resiliency study funded a greater understanding of other cultures recruitment. by The Duke Endowment, but also enable other students to learn support groups were launched firsthand about global issues. for students dealing with sexual trauma, the loss of loved ones, and Students get to know each other during an icebreaker anxiety and stress. Additionally, exercise at Fieldfest during Fall Orientation in 2018. Furman will create a statue to honor Joseph Vaughn (above), the university's first African-American student. Furman recently hired three professionals of color into senior built upon Furman’s principles recommendations not under roles at our counseling and health as an academic institution the board’s purview, including centers and added groups that that embraces liberal arts and curriculum and co-curricular provide space for students to sciences ideals, including a activities and programming. explore their transgender identity high regard for human value, as well as black identity. reflection, innovation and In May 2019, the university ceaseless accuracy. The process announced that the board Education was guided by scholarship and unanimously approved additional In concert with the Associated undergraduate research in recommendations, including Colleges of the South, Furman communication studies, history, removing the name of the professors developed inclusive sociology and sustainability, university’s first president, pedagogy workshops that trained among other departments, and James C. Furman, from the nearly a quarter of our faculty. led by students, faculty, staff building located at the heart of Safe Zone trainings prepared and alumni. campus, and renaming it Furman professors and practitioners to Hall, in honor and celebration of support LGBT+ students. The We cannot change history, but we the entire Furman family and all Pathways Advising Program, a can show in real and meaningful of the students, faculty, staff and first- and second-year advising ways that we are true champions alumni who have contributed to model, welcomed a second of a more inclusive future. the history of the university. cohort of students to participate

26 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY 27 COMPETING AND SUCCEEDING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL

While Furman is one of the • For the fourth year in a row, Furman smallest universities in Division I captured the Germann Cup, athletics, the Paladins have awarded annually to the Southern Conference school fielding the always performed above their Division I teams league’s best all-around women’s weight class. The football team sports program. 20 won the 1988 Division I-AA national championship, the first • Men’s cross-country finished 19th, private school to do so, and the while the women finished 22nd in golf program has produced such the final USTFCCCA Cross Country national rating index. No other great players as Betsy King ’77, school had both teams ranked in Beth Daniel ’78, Brad Faxon ’83 the top 22. and Dottie Pepper ’87. The men’s soccer team regularly appears in • The women’s programs produced the national rankings, and former three SoCon Players of the Year: U.S. National Team Captain Clint Haylee Harford ’19, golf; Marissa Student-athletes Guimbarda ’21, softball; and Dempsey is among the program’s Katarina Kozarov ’20, tennis. 422 alumni. Furman has also achieved great athletics success • Men’s basketball set a school record while excelling in academics. for regular-season wins (24) and The program has produced two total victories (25) and became the Rhodes Scholars, 35 CoSIDA first team in the program’s 106-year history to be ranked in the Academic All-Americans and 16 Associated Press Top 25 poll. NCAA Post-Graduate Scholars, and the teams regularly score well • Golfers Haylee Harford ’19 and above the national average in the Natalie Srinivasan ’20 competed Southern Conference Fall Academic Progress Rate, which in the inaugural Augusta National Academic All-Conference measures eligibility, graduation Women’s Amateur. 26 and retention.

Natalie Srinivasan ’20 competes at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019.

28 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING COMPETING AND SUCCEEDING 29 “We rode the buses and collected people’s stories so that we could become better advocates . . . and then we translated that into coming back onto campus and letting people know how important it is.”

— SEAN RUSNAK ’18 2018-19 Health Policy Post-Baccalaureate Fellow and advocate for public transportation funding in Greenville

Sean Rusnak ’19 will pursue master's degrees in public health and urban planning at the University of Colorado this fall.

30 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING COMMUNITY IMPACT 31 Change makers and corporate CEOs; national, state This year the Riley Institute’s Diversity and local elected officials; school Leaders Initiative (DLI) gained its 2,143rd superintendents, nonprofit heads, Riley Fellow with the graduation of 153 and faith and creative leaders; and COMMUNITY IMPACT leaders from the Upstate, Midlands and many other community leaders. Lowcountry classes. DLI participants This year's classes launched 20 For more than 160 years, Furman A sound investment are identified through a rigorous process community action projects across the state, part of 260 to date. These has been a vital part of Greenville’s A recent study conducted by Furman including a nomination, application projects, connected to countless needs Associate Professor of Economics and interview and are selected based culture, history and economy. and people – from public education to Jason Jones and student Dyson on their capacity to impact their Summer programs for children, transportation or homelessness to foster Robinson ’18 measured the university’s organizations and communities. public arts events, lectures and care – make a collective impact that annual economic impact on Greenville Graduates become members of a drives immediate and lasting benefits workshops, and continuing County and the surrounding Upstate powerful, cross-sector, statewide throughout the state. education opportunities enrich counties. Furman’s economic network that includes business leaders the lives of residents. Numerous contribution to Greenville County in university organizations and 2017-18 was $288.1 million, with another $9.1 million impacting the economies programs make measurable of Anderson, Laurens, Pickens and impacts on Greenville’s economy, Spartanburg counties. public health, education and quality of life. They include the Office for Furman’s Office for Innovation Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurship is focused the Institute for the Advancement on developing innovative leaders who are adaptable to a workforce of Community Health (IACH), the that demands them to either be Collaborative for Community entrepreneurs creating new ventures Engaged Learning, the Riley or entrepreneurially minded Institute, Heller Service Corps and leaders driving innovation within the Shi Center for Sustainability. existing organizations. Partnerships with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s NEXT SC program and The Furman Advantage is angel investor group VentureSouth furthered by partnerships with have laid the foundation to extend Prisma Health, Bon Secours, the these contributions to the greater Greenville Drive and more than 70 Greenville community. In addition to nonprofits who serve the Upstate, talent-development programs, such creating environments where as Furman’s inaugural Business and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp, Furman students, faculty, staff and alumni is collaborating with regional and local collaborate across academic entrepreneurial networks to develop an disciplines to gain and apply innovation hub and business incubator knowledge for the public good. space that will bring together civic, corporate and academic institutions to colocate and accelerate the development of ventures. Business and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp students collaborate on coursework.

32 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING COMMUNITY IMPACT 33 Heller Service Corps students for seniors in the Upstate and equips Community Engaged Learning, Prisma The Community Conservation Corps, volunteer their time and services at them to be advocates for the senior Health Upstate, the United Way of another signature program of the 70 organizations that assist Greenville population. Senior Leaders is a natural Greenville County and Greenville County. Shi Center, partners with Habitat residents. Students support local extension of OLLI, which has provided The mobile-friendly web application for Humanity to provide free home schools by raising money for supplies opportunities for learning, creativity, is increasing awareness of and access weatherization to low-income and improvements to facilities, health and well-being, and personal to essential life services such as food, homeowners in the greater Greenville serving the hungry in local food banks, connection to Greenville retirees for housing, health care and even community. To date, the CCC has working with the homeless in shelters more than 25 years. recreational opportunities. weatherized 135 homes. Shi Center and job-search programs, mentoring staff presented to Greenville’s Green Greenville’s youth and enriching the Healthier, happier lives The university’s Medical Legal Ribbon Advisory Committee – Energy lives of residents with special needs. Furman students and faculty Partnership with Prisma Health and Buildings Subcommittee on the Heller Service Corps is the largest collaborated with community leaders Upstate and South Carolina Legal CCC’s weatherization program. The student group on Furman’s campus, to develop an innovative tool that will Services has helped 250 families in the CCC program continues to garner involving more than 1,800 students in benefit the health and well-being of the Upstate. The MLP, the first of its kind national attention. service projects annually. greater Greenville community. Imap, in South Carolina, seeks to improve a web-based mapping application health outcomes for Upstate residents, Senior Leaders Greenville, a program of that allows community members to especially those living in poverty. MLP the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at search a database of essential services staff, partners and student interns work Furman, graduated its fifth class in May. available throughout Greenville County, to streamline access to nonmedical The program empowers participants to was developed through a partnership assistance when a medical problem is become active in fostering better lives between Furman’s Collaborative for rooted in or made worse by a social or legal problem.

Funding from the Healthy Greenville initiative expanded the MLP to care for Greenville’s senior adult population. A coalition, led by Furman’s Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and partners Prisma Health Upstate and South Carolina Legal Services, tackles health-harming legal barriers in the senior adult community by improving health-related care, health education and health research. The program is funded by a three-year grant approved by the Greenville Health Authority.

Furthering sustainability The Shi Center for Sustainability’s Student Fellows Program pairs students Furman students in the CCC replace incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency LED bulbs to reduce energy costs for homeowners. with a community partner where they work 40 hours a week for 10 weeks over the summer on a sustainability issue. Students have engaged with partners and projects including Project Host, Upstate Forever, Trees Upstate, Mill Furman students enjoy Village Farm, Greenville Zoo, and the Falls Park in Greenville, Cities of Greenville and Travelers Rest. South Carolina.

34 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING COMMUNITY IMPACT 35 Alec Taylor ’75 and his wife Susan visit campus for the 2018 Benefactors Induction.

“After my wife, Susan, and I spend time with students, there’s never a question of whether we will give — it’s only a question of how much.”

— ALEC TAYLOR ’75 Furman University Board of Trustees

36 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING MAKE IT POSSIBLE 37 During the 2017-18 fiscal year, ENDOWMENT DISTRIBUTION approximately $33 million was distributed from the total endowment, in accordance with MAKE IT POSSIBLE the board-approved spending Professorships 8% policy. These assets contributed approximately 21.7% to the Furman’s generous alumni, During the 2018-19 fiscal Overall, alumni participation Scholarships 41% university’s annual budget. parents and friends year, more than 8,700 increased to 22.5% — with our donors contributed $32.6 form the cornerstone youngest alumni leading the way. Unrestricted million in support of student The classes of 2014, 2015, 2016 budget for our success as a top scholarships and experiences, and 2017 raised their percentage support 14% liberal arts and sciences including internships, of giving over the previous year university. Contributions research and study away from 1% to 3.5%. Facilities, operation, to the endowment provide opportunities; faculty maintenance, Departmental, development and research; As Furman continues to claim library, programs, a steady and reliable improvement 16% the Paladin Club and athletics source of financial support its place among the nation’s other 21% programs and facilities; premier liberal arts and sciences to help the university offer and academic departments, universities, every gift from every The Furman Advantage institutes and student life donor enhances the lifelong to every student. As the programming, such as the value of a Furman education and university enters its next Heller Service Corps. provides the resources needed $9.8 MILLION $33 MILLION chapter, private support for the university to reach its During this year’s Dins Day endowment gifts total distribution will be vital to advancing highest aspirations. In doing so, celebration, alumni, parents, Furman prepares this and future during FY18 during FY18 the mission of Furman faculty and staff flooded social generations of students to and equipping students media with fond memories, succeed in a complex, global to make an impact — now success stories and points of world — a world that’s calling and for generations Paladin pride. Together, the for educated citizens who can The Furman University Investment ASSET ALLOCATION to come. Furman family raised a record think critically, communicate Office collaborates with the Furman $2.6 million in 24 hours. clearly and lead boldly. Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee, the university’s Cash 1.1% International vice president for finance and equities administration, the associate vice As of June 30, 2018, Fixed income 25.7% president for finance, a financial ENDOWMENT POOL AND TOTAL ENDOWMENT Furman’s total 10.3% services controller and external endowment was valued consultants to preserve and enhance at $703 million, of which the purchasing power of the Real assets/ Hedged TOTAL ENDOWMENT ENDOWMENT POOL $523 million was invested endowment and support the current Natural resources strategies in the endowment pool and future operations of Furman. 10.8% 20.7% $800M (the portion under the decision-making authority The university has adopted an Private equity/ $600M of the university). investment strategy that emphasizes Venture 11.2% The remainder of the the prudent management of risk, while $400M endowment is separately U.S. equities 20.2% working to generate long-term total invested or managed by return. Investments are diversified $200M other entities. across a broad variety of asset classes — a strategy that, historically, has been 0 shown to mitigate risk while enhancing FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 portfolio performance.

38 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING MAKE IT POSSIBLE 39 Furman pool Global (70% stocks/30% bonds) Investment performance The investment return of the endowment Furman policy index pool for the fiscal year ending June 30, 90% $65.4 MILLION 7% 2018, was +9.2%. This compares to a global 70% stocks/30% bonds portfolio of students received some total financial assistance 6% form of financial aid awarded to students benchmark return of 7.9%. 5% by Furman In the figure at left, Furman’s endowment 4% pool return, as of June 30, 2018, is 3% compared to a globally diversified 2% 70% stocks/30% bonds portfolio and the Furman University Policy Index. 1% Furman’s annualized returns for the 0 three-year, five-year and 10-year periods 3 years 5 years 10 years are 6.8%, 7.5% and 6.2%, respectively. FUNDING FOR THE FURMAN ADVANTAGE EXPERIENCES

Study Away Stipends MayX Support Research Stipends The opportunity to invest $411,886 $21,216 $1.7 MILLION For Robert ’83 and Margaret Hill ’83, (2018-19) (2018-19) (2018-19) investing in the Office for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will allow them to help provide students with opportunities they might not find at another university. The newly established initiative aims to foster entrepreneurialism at Furman by addressing workforce trends and contributing to the local and regional community.

“Giving to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative helps Average financial aid Joseph Vaughn Scholarship ensure students will learn and grow package alongside supportive faculty and staff $1 MILLION and in the broader community,” said $36,797 Robert Hill, who is chairman of the ANNUAL AWARDS Leadership Council for the initiative. “The Furman family has a responsibility and an opportunity to invest in our students, and this is a wonderful way to help them create a better world through their innovative ideas and talents.”

As the university enters its next chapter, private support like the Hills’ is more important than ever. Giving through Furman will make it possible for students to make their own mark on the world. Together, we can empower them — today and for years to come. Students on Summer Orientation staff pose in front of the Bell Tower in 2019.

MAKE IT POSSIBLE 41 40 REFLECTING ON OUR CALLING furman.edu

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