Inside Furman December, 2000

The Furman Forum
What is a favorite Christmas tradition in your family?

Milestones
New employees, promotions and anniversaries

Around Campus
News from university departments

Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.

Falcons to return in 2001

The National Football League's Atlanta Falcons have announced that they will return to Furman in 2001 to hold their summer training camp. The tentative dates for next year's camp are July 19-August 15. It will mark the third consecutive summer that the team has held its camp on the Furman campus.

"Furman is a great facility," says Dan Reeves, the Falcons' coach. "It is the best training camp site that I have experienced since I have been in the NFL. It is a win-win situation; they enjoy having us and we enjoy being there. Training camp is such a vital time of year for us. It is important that we be in an environment that helps us succeed. Furman University meets those standards."

While 2001 will be just the third year the Falcons have trained at Furman since moving out of their training facility in Suwanee, Ga., the Atlanta organization and the university have a history. The Falcons also trained here from 1971-78.

The Falcons recently moved into a new complex in Flowery Branch, a suburb north of Atlanta. The new complex, however, does not include facilities to house 80 players and 70 staff.

"We are thrilled that the Falcons have decided to return for another year," says Wendy Libby, Furman's vice president for business affairs. "It has been a very successful partnership thus far, and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure the Falcons' camp runs as efficiently as possible."

PBS to rebroadcast Riley Institute forum

South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) will rebroadcast the inaugural public policy forum of Furman's Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership on Sunday, January 14 at 4 p.m.

The forum features Congressmen Mark Sanford (R-1st) and John Spratt (D-5th) discussing "The Future of Social Security in America." The forum was originally aired on May 7, just days after it was filmed. Michael Cogdill of WYFF-TV in Greenville moderated the forum, which included a welcome from President David Shi and questions from Furman students.

Sanford, a 1983 Furman graduate, recently completed his third term as the representative of South Carolina's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in 1994 and has worked to effect change in Social Security, limit government and create a "citizen" Congress. He did not run for re-election this fall.

Spratt has represented South Carolina's 5th District since 1983. He is the ranking member on the House Budget Committee as well as the senior member of the National Security Committee.

A brush with greatness
Head tennis coach Paul Scarpa and his wife, Sandy, met country music legend Kenny Rogers last month. Rogers, a tennis enthusiast, played several sets at the Minor Mickel Tennis Center November 19 after Scarpa "slipped in" a campus tour on a snowy day . Later that evening, Rogers performed at the Bi-Lo Center. Pete Arciero, a 1981 Furman graduate and former Paladin tennis and soccer player, called Scarpa about reserving the tennis center for Rogers. Susan Arciero, Pete's wife and fellow 1981 alum, travels with the Rogers' tour with the couple's four children.Scarpa says Rogers is "extremely pleasant, just a regular guy."