A Season of Hope

Dear Campus Community,

Each fall semester begins with great pageantry in warm sunshine and ends with students studying hard for finals in cold, light-shortened days, but with much anticipation for a cheerful holiday respite and time with friends and family.

This year, in this time of togetherness, I encourage each of us to find some solitude and do what we do well at Furman: Reflect. There’s much to think about. We have, collectively and individually, experienced moments of great joy and times of painful sorrow. We have felt the love and camaraderie of community, yet watched as the world was torn asunder. We celebrated our attributes that make us unique, yet struggled to understand why so many forget our commonalities – humanity, love, the desire for peace and understanding.

While it’s important to celebrate traditions during the holidays, it’s also necessary to recognize particularly challenging times – globally and here at home – and how those affect us personally, by heartache, despair, and anxiety.

The writer James Baldwin said, “The hope of the world lies in what we demand, not of others, but of ourselves.” Furman’s values call us to meet the world’s challenges with courage, moderation, justice, wisdom, and humility. And, I would add, with hope.

At Furman, we thrive on the challenge of being our best selves. It’s not always comfortable, but growth is not always a straight and easy path and it’s seldom solitary. We know to pause and listen to each other with humility and courage. As you celebrate the holidays, I hope you will think of Furman as a place where you can strive to be your best and promote a sense of belonging for everyone in our community, even those whose views and beliefs are different from yours.

I feel immense gratitude for our Furman community, and I will reflect on the extraordinary talents, dedication, and passion of our students, faculty, and staff and how we can continue making the world a better place. The need for our skills, confidence and courage to engage in civil dialogue has never been greater.

For this holiday season, and throughout the coming year, I wish you peace, joy, and hope.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Davis

President