Special Programs and Resources
Curry Gift for Chinese Studies
In 2004, Ravenel Curry III (pictured at left) generously provided a one million dollar gift 
for China Studies at Furman. This gift has been the impetus to the Furman China Initiative, an effort to build a nationally recognized program for Chinese studies at a liberal arts college and to expand opportunities for undergraduate academic study, experiential learning, and cross-cultural exchange in China. The gift has also been directed to the improvement of the Chinese language programs, to the hiring of two Chinese specialist faculty members, to administrative support at Furman and in China, to the expansion of the Fall in China program, and to increasing awareness of China at Furman. By creating the opportunity for these improvements along with facilitating such programs as China’s Global Rise, the Summer China Experience, and Furman Teachers in China, the Curry Gift for Chinese Studies has launched Furman on a path to excellence in undergraduate education in Chinese Studies.
for China Studies at Furman. This gift has been the impetus to the Furman China Initiative, an effort to build a nationally recognized program for Chinese studies at a liberal arts college and to expand opportunities for undergraduate academic study, experiential learning, and cross-cultural exchange in China. The gift has also been directed to the improvement of the Chinese language programs, to the hiring of two Chinese specialist faculty members, to administrative support at Furman and in China, to the expansion of the Fall in China program, and to increasing awareness of China at Furman. By creating the opportunity for these improvements along with facilitating such programs as China’s Global Rise, the Summer China Experience, and Furman Teachers in China, the Curry Gift for Chinese Studies has launched Furman on a path to excellence in undergraduate education in Chinese Studies.
Ed and Beth Evans Jones Endowed Fund for Asian Studies
Edward Jones contributed to Furman both as a a history professor and as the first Department Chair of the Asian Studies Department. Upon his charisma, Furman 
introduced Asian and African subjects into its curriculum in the 1960s, paving the way for this fusion in liberal arts colleges nationwide. His wife, Beth Evans, served Furman through her work with the Senior Order and the Chaplain's office. The Jones Fund was founded to honor this couple (pictured at left) and the contributions they made to both the Department of Asian Studies and the greater Furman and Greenville communities. The fund, supported by the donations of alumni, provides financing for a wide range of Departmental programs such as lectures, visiting scholars, scholarships, and student conference travel. In 2003, the Ed and Beth Evans Jones Endowed Fund, in collaboration with other campus organizations, helped bring the monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery to Furman to construct a sand mandala.
introduced Asian and African subjects into its curriculum in the 1960s, paving the way for this fusion in liberal arts colleges nationwide. His wife, Beth Evans, served Furman through her work with the Senior Order and the Chaplain's office. The Jones Fund was founded to honor this couple (pictured at left) and the contributions they made to both the Department of Asian Studies and the greater Furman and Greenville communities. The fund, supported by the donations of alumni, provides financing for a wide range of Departmental programs such as lectures, visiting scholars, scholarships, and student conference travel. In 2003, the Ed and Beth Evans Jones Endowed Fund, in collaboration with other campus organizations, helped bring the monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery to Furman to construct a sand mandala.
Organizations
South Carolina Center for Teaching about Asia (SCCTA)
The SCCTA, headquartered at Furman University, is associated with the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA) funded by the Freeman Foundation. The purpose of SCCTA is to work with South Carolina school districts to enhance instruction on Asia throughout the curriculum, especially in world history, social studies, and geography courses. The faculty teams working with SCCTA seminars are drawn from Furman's own Asian specialists, but also include lecturers from other university campuses as well as master teachers who have demonstrated their effectiveness in middle and high school classrooms. Please visit the SCCTA website for more information.
The SCCTA, headquartered at Furman University, is associated with the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA) funded by the Freeman Foundation. The purpose of SCCTA is to work with South Carolina school districts to enhance instruction on Asia throughout the curriculum, especially in world history, social studies, and geography courses. The faculty teams working with SCCTA seminars are drawn from Furman's own Asian specialists, but also include lecturers from other university campuses as well as master teachers who have demonstrated their effectiveness in middle and high school classrooms. Please visit the SCCTA website for more information.
Other Campus Organizations
Furman offers a range of extracurricular opportunities for those interested in Asia. The Association of Students Interested in Asia (A.S.I.A.) Club offers opportunties for students interested in Asia to interact and learn together about Asia, while offering campus-wide events to raise awareness of Asia within the Furman community. The Furman University Japan Interest Group (FUJI) is for those who are interested in anything Japanese. Contact Dr. Shusuke Yagi for more information. Additionally, the Furman University International Student Association (FUISA) offers interaction between American and international students as well as promoting global awareness in the Furman community. The Furman in Asia group is an alumni network for Furman graduates who are interested in or living in Asia. For more information about any Asia organization, please feel free to contact us!
Facilities
Asian Studies Reading Room
Fall 2005 began a new era in Asian Studies departmental life as we moved into our 
new Asian Studies Suite in Furman Hall. In addition to new offices for the Department Chair and Programs Coordinator, our suite provides a reading room which houses a collection of Asian works for student and faculty perusal. The collection, named in honor of Emeritus Asian Studies Professor, Dr. James B. Leavell, was established with numerous volumes contributed by Dr. Leavell and a 100+ volume donation from the Chinese Government. Fundraising continues in order to expand the collection. For further information about this opportunity, please contact Becky Duckett. The Reading Room also provides opportunities for hosting receptions, meetings, and drop-ins for our visitors, students, alumni, and faculty, along with serving as a gathering place between classes. We hope you will drop by and enjoy a visit with us!
new Asian Studies Suite in Furman Hall. In addition to new offices for the Department Chair and Programs Coordinator, our suite provides a reading room which houses a collection of Asian works for student and faculty perusal. The collection, named in honor of Emeritus Asian Studies Professor, Dr. James B. Leavell, was established with numerous volumes contributed by Dr. Leavell and a 100+ volume donation from the Chinese Government. Fundraising continues in order to expand the collection. For further information about this opportunity, please contact Becky Duckett. The Reading Room also provides opportunities for hosting receptions, meetings, and drop-ins for our visitors, students, alumni, and faculty, along with serving as a gathering place between classes. We hope you will drop by and enjoy a visit with us!
Language Houses
The Japanese and Chinese Language Houses offer students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a chosen language without having to leave Furman! Located in North Village A, the houses comprise a year long program centered around language practice. Students enroll in a year long course (MLL 28) to enhance the experience, with each language being guided by an on-campus native speaking language assistant. For information about the Japanese language house, please contact Izumi Tokunaga. In 2005-2006, a Chinese table takes place every Friday from 12 to 1 pm in lieu of the Chinese language house. Please contact the Asian Studies Department for more information about this opportunity.
Japanese Place of Peace
In November 2004, the Furman Board of Trustees voted to accept a gift from the Tsuzuki family of Nagoya, Japan that brought an authentic Japanese Place of Peace to Furman. This extraordinary gift, constructed above Furman's Japanese garden, provides an opportunity for the Furman community to become better acquainted with both the Japanese culture and the Buddhist tradition. The temple is part of a larger vision to create an Asian Studies Center at Furman which will further excel Furman into the nation's top Asian Studies programs. Dedication for The Place of Peace was completed in September 2008. Click below for amazing photos of the reconstruction.
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