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.
Riley Institute helps put spotlight on Furman
When U.S. Senator and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton headlined a two-day “Women and Politics” conference sponsored by the Riley Institute October 7, she did more than enlighten students and encourage more women to enter the political arena.
Clinton's visit represented the single largest media event in Furman history, says Vince Moore, director of media relations. Moore issued 50 media credentials – the most ever. And news stories and television coverage of Clinton 's brief visit to Greenville appeared nationally.
Moore, who subscribes to an online service that tracks “mentions” of Furman in more than 3,600 daily and weekly newspapers, says online mentions of Furman nearly quadrupled both before and after Clinton 's visit to the Peace Center .
“It was a story that moved on the national Associated Press wire, which pretty much ensures coverage throughout the country,” says Moore. “Her visit generated a tremendous amount of interest among both the public and the media.”
Sen. Clinton is the latest in a string of high-profile visitors that the Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics and Public Leadership has attracted to Furman since it was established in 1999. Others have included former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Ambassador Phil Lader, former Canadian Prime Minister Ken Campbell and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Shipler.
As the university solidifies its position among the nation's most elite private liberal arts colleges, such programs play a valuable role: in a increasingly competitive era they help separate Furman from the pack.
“Furman has always had extremely strong name recognition in our (Southeastern) region,” says Greg Carroll, vice president for marketing and public relations. “Developing a national reputation in such a competitive arena is no small task. But we've made tremendous headway over the past five years. The Riley Institute is a huge component of this success.”
Carroll adds that the highly visible seminars and lectures help boost Furman's academic reputation, a key component that is used in college rankings.
In 1996, U.S. News and World Report ranked Furman 50 among the nation's top liberal arts colleges compared to 42 this year. In recent years, the university has also steadily improved its reputation rank. Based on surveys completed by university presidents, chief academic officers and admissions officers, U.S. News rated Furman 3.2 on a 5.0 scale in 1998 compared to 3.4 on a 5.0 scale this year.
So how is Furman able to attract prominent speakers like Clinton and Albright?
Don Gordon, director of the Institute, says the answer is simple.
“It's Dick Riley. He's been such an honest public servant and extraordinary statesman. Dick has such a tremendous following among Democrats and Republicans,” says Gordon.
Riley, a former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education, now lives in Greenville and works frequently on behalf of the Institute, organizing programs, seminars and conferences.
“Most of these people come here because Dick asked them to,” says Gordon.
Like Furman, the Riley Institute has developed a reputation as an organization that is on the move. This fall, John Simpkins, an assistant professor in Political Science, joined the Institute as associate director. And last month, Audrey Dodson, a Furman graduate, was named events coordinator. Both are new positions.
Dodson, who majored in religion, Simpkins and administrative assistant Carol Asalon will help Gordon manage a growing number of conferences, workshops, brown bag lunches and seminars.
So look for even greater things from the Institute in the future, says Gordon.
In 2002 it was Madeline Albright. And this year it was Hillary Clinton. So, how do you top that in 2004?
Well, experience has taught Gordon to keep his cards close to his vest. But he promises a big name. A really big name.