Tag: Furman University History

  • Who is Mr. Maxwell?

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    eyoung

    WHO IS MR. MAXWELL? The Robert J. Maxwell Media Center and Library is named for Mr. Robert J. Maxwell, Jr., a local philanthropist. Mr. Maxwell believed that “God had blessed him with wealth, and his burden was to use it wisely,”* and so during his life and through his estate, he gave generously to those…

  • The History of Swan Lake

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    eyoung

    Swan Lake is perhaps one of Furman University’s most iconic and relaxing features. On a beautiful day such as today, it is common to see folks from campus and the greater Greenville community walking, biking, or relaxing lakeside. The lake itself is not a natural occurrence. It came into being in the mid-1950s when the…

  • Freshmen Hazing at Furman

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    eyoung

    Freshmen hazing was an accepted part of life at Furman University throughout most of  the twentieth century. Freshmen, referred to as “rats,” were required to wear “rat caps” like the beanie pictured above. They were sometimes required to wear rat ears and signs around their necks identifying themselves as rats.  A ceremony called Rat Court…

  • Discover Greenville Woman’s College

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    eyoung

    Greenville Woman’s College (GWC) was founded in 1854 on what is now Heritage Green in downtown Greenville. In 1938, it merged with Furman University, and in 1961 its campus closed down permanently. In the century it existed, GWC celebrated many unique traditions such as an annual May Day festival and pageant, and a rich history…

  • Furman University Oral History Project

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    eyoung

    Furman University Oral History Project  This growing collection contains oral histories taken and recorded by history professor Courtney Tollison and her students. Many of the recordings feature Furman’s own rich history and the history of Greenville. Some of the notable interviewees include Max and Trude Heller, Charles Townes, President John E. and Martha Johns, John…

  • The Furman Hornet

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    eyoung

    Furman University athletes have always worn purple and white. However, the mascots they played under have changed over the years. The earliest teams were referred to as the “Hornets,” a name they shared with the student newspaper. In the 1920s, the football team began to be referred to as the “Purple Hurricane.” The basketball team…

  • Homecoming Photos

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    eyoung

    We had a great time seeing everyone at Homecoming! Here are a few photos in case you missed any of the fun. The library tent featured photos of our former student assistants. Library floorplans were also on display and alumni were encouraged to write their names near their favorite study area.

  • James C. Furman Collection

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    eyoung

    James Clement Furman was born on December 15, 1809, in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was Richard Furman, namesake of Furman University, then pastor at Charleston Baptist Church. His mother was Dorothea Burn Furman, second wife of his father. James Clement was the thirteenth of fifteen children born to Richard and Dorothea Furman. He was…

  • Furman Historical Images

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    eyoung

    The burning of the Furman Bell Tower, the scarlet fever quarantine of 1906, the May Day pageants of Greenville Woman’s College – all this and more can be found in the new “Furman Historical Images” digital collection. Spanning 150 years, the collection contains nearly 2800 photographs and glass plate negatives of Greenville Woman’s College, Furman’s…

  • Special Collections Opening Reception 2/18 4pm

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    eyoung

    “A Return to Normalcy?” Growing Pains, Furmanville, and Life at Post-World War II Furman By Tyler R. Edmond ’17 Exhibition Dates: February 1 – May 31, 2016 Opening Reception: February 18 at 4:00 PM After the United States entered the war in 1941, American colleges and universities experienced a drastic decrease in student attendance. Male…