November 1999
Employee profile: Roland Barefoot
Furman Forum
What is your opinion of the proposed retirement center?
United Way campaign
Furman set giving record.
Innovision awards
Furman honored with local technology award.
Around campus:
News from university departments
Milestones:
New employess, promotions, anniversaries
InsideFurman 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.
Furman
University's commitment to its "engaged learning" program has been given an
official vote of approval.
The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) has given Furman its 1999 Beacon
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Experiential Education, which recognizes the
university's excellence in experiential education. The university received the award
during the NSEE's annual meeting in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 20-23.
"Engaged learning is the centerpiece of our efforts to promote a dynamic new approach
to a liberal arts education at Furman, and it's gratifying when people outside the
university recognize what we're attempting to do," said President David E. Shi.
"We are very appreciative of the NSEE's confidence in us, and we will continue to be
a leader in this active form of learning."
Shi said that Furman has embraced engaged learning because conventional forms of education
are no longer adequate to prepare students to be leaders in a rapidly changing,
technological society.
Engaged learning is a problem-solving approach to education that involves students as
active participants in the learning process, both inside and outside the classroom, and
allows them to combine theory with experience in the "real world." Furman
students participate in experiential learning activities that include study abroad,
internships with national companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations,
and on-campus research fellowships with Furman professors.
The Christian A. Johnson Center for Engaged Learning at Furman coordinates these
activities and helps students acquire firsthand experience in fields related to their
career interests.
The National Society for Experiential Education, founded in 1971, is a nonprofit
membership association of educators, businesses, and community leaders whose mission is to
foster the effective use of experience as an integral part of education. The organization
also serves as a national resource center for the development and
improvement of experiential education programs nationwide.