For its efforts to integrate technology throughout the curriculum, Furman was awarded first place at the Innovision Awards ceremony November 4 at Greenville’s Airport Marriott.

In selecting Furman, awards judges cited the Mellon faculty development workshops and the BellSouth Technology Project.

The BellSouth Technology Project is focused on the integration of technology into K-12 classrooms in the Upstate, including Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. Developed and presented by Furman faculty, the program focuses on developing a cadre of teacher-leaders who can instruct and encourage their peers in the use of technology in the classroom.

Funded in part by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Mellon program facilitates widespread integration of technology to improve teaching, learning and scholarship, while reducing technology support costs. The Mellon project also supports intensive summer workshops for faculty, pairing of faculty and students year-round in teams to work on technology-based course material development, and creation of a student cadre to assist faculty with technology support needs.

Developed through the joint efforts of Deloitte & Touche and IKON Technology Services, Innovision is the Upstate’s first awards program solely devoted to highlighting technological excellence and innovation. More than 300 business people and educators attended the ceremony.

Tom Goldsmith, a Furman alumnus and former faculty member, was awarded the individual achievement award. Considered one of the top scientists of his day, Goldsmith supervised the development of the technology, equipment and standards first used in the television industry. In 1966, Goldsmith retired from the business world and returned to Greenville. He joined the Furman faculty, headed the university’s audiovisuals department and taught physics until his retirement in 1975.