Regions: South Carolina (Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Greenville County Public Schools and North Carolina (Western).

Hometown: Clemson, S.C.

Education: B.A. in English, Furman, 2014

Favorite activity in Greenville:  One of my favorite things to do while I was a student at Furman was to go on a bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail with a group of friends.  Some Saturdays, we would ride to Traveler’s Rest (the small town to Furman’s north) and spend the day together at The Forest Coffeehouse.  Other weekends, we would ride our bikes in the opposite direction down the trail to downtown Greenville.  We would have lunch at one of the cafés downtown, spend some time in Falls Park, and maybe listen to the free music at one of Greenville’s many downtown festivals.

Favorite Greenville restaurant: Brick Street Café! (Make sure to try the Sweet Potato Cake!)

Favorite Furman tradition: Every year at graduation, Furman professors line the entrance to the stadium to cheer for the graduating seniors as they walk into the ceremony that serves as the culmination of their college careers.  I’ve always loved the symbolism and sincerity of the literal wall of support that guides Furman seniors to the next chapter of their lives.  At my own graduation, the hugs, cheers, and well-wishes that I received as I made that final walk into the stadium meant the world to me.

Best thing about Furman – My favorite thing about Furman is its community.  From the moment I stepped onto campus my freshman year, I could feel myself become a part of the Furman family.  Professors went out of their way to get to know me, challenging and encouraging me through my four years on campus and beyond.  In my classmates, I found unshakeable support and lifelong friendships.  Furman’s network of professors, staff, students, alumni, and community members made the campus my home.  I feel so honored to be a part of the Furman family.  Once a Paladin, always a Paladin.

Hobbies/interests –  Taking photographs, playing tennis, reading, writing, editing, hiking, shopping, biking, boating, swimming, and geocaching are a few of my favorite things.  I also love finding a great cup of coffee at a local coffeehouse, discovering a favorite new quote in a book, re-watching old episodes of Friends and The West Wing, and singing along at one of the many great concerts in the Greenville area.

Best piece of advice for prospective students – Make sure to visit the colleges at the top of your list. While you’re there, tour the campus, have lunch in the Dining Hall, meet with a professor, attend a class, and spend some time with current students.  It’s hard to get a sense of a school’s “personality” from pictures and brochures.  In my own college search, I found that overnight visits were the best way to get a true sense of a campus.  Getting a glimpse inside the world of a current student helped me find the campus where I felt most at home. (Which campus felt like home to me? Furman, of course!)

Random/fun fact about you: In high school, I worked as a ballroom dance instructor.