The job that Roland Barefoot will leave next month is one that he never intended to have.

In 1984, Barefoot, then the owner of a small trucking business, learned that Furman was searching for a new Paladin Club director. A 1955 Furman alumnus and athletic standout during his student days, Barefoot sent in his resumé.

But Barefoot, who had worked in the trucking business for 23 years, did not get the job. Instead he was directed to a new position that the university was creating — director of planned giving.

Barefoot’s amiable personality, easy smile and quick handshake turned out to be a perfect fit for the new job. That year, Furman had approximately $15 million in mature and future gifts. Today that total is approximately $148 million.

In 1987, Barefoot founded the Heritage Society, a group of university supporters who have included Furman in their estate plans. The society, now numbering 616, meets twice a year.

Betsy Moseley, associate director of planned giving, says, "Roland has done a wonderful job of building this program into the success that it is. Under his direction, the planned giving program has received national honors for mobilizing support for Furman."

Barefoot’s philosophy of success is simple: let people know what’s available in planned giving and plant seeds. Moseley credits Barefoot’s natural people skills to his success in a field that is essentially a people business

In addition to his work at Furman, Barefoot is well respected at the state level, serving on the board of the South Carolina Planned Giving Council. He has also been instrumental in the innovative "Leave a Legacy" program that will encourage planned giving to nonprofit organizations in South Carolina.

After retirement, Barefoot plans to serve as a consultant for nonprofit groups that lack planned giving programs. But, he laughs, work will not get in the way of one of his favorite pastimes — golf.

"After all," he says, "I will be keeping the schedule."