Welcome. You belong here.

Dear Campus Community,

Welcome to another academic year. Whether you’re new to Furman or you’ve been passing through our gates for decades, I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we’re together.

I hope you were able to spend a little time this summer reflecting on where you are in your journey and what lies ahead. I had time to reflect after testing positive for COVID. I was vaccinated and boosted, and my symptoms lingered longer than I would have expected. The experience reminded me that many people still struggle with the virus. While the CDC has revised COVID protocols, we remain sensitive to populations who are more vulnerable to the virus or who might be at high risk of serious illness.

Having COVID also drove home the feeling of isolation. We are social creatures. Even those among us who are inclined to introversion have an innate need for connection and community. When we go too long without it, or when there’s an acute loss of it, we feel an emptiness in our bones. Unfortunately, some people feel this without being forced into isolation by a virus. If they lack a sense of belonging, they can feel alone standing in the middle of a crowd.

Campus Climate Assessment

I’m glad to say that we have taken significant steps over the past year to greatly increase belonging on campus. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Campus Climate Assessment, started last fall, has helped us understand how different members of our community feel about being a part of Furman and where we can improve so we can live out our values. I recently received the full report and recommendations and will work with the senior team and others on next steps. We will communicate more on this soon.

DEI Staffing

We are already building our community with intention and humility to reflect the world we’re preparing our students to enter. We have made several personnel decisions that will support diversity, equity and inclusion for faculty, staff and students, both those who are already here and those we want to recruit to be part of our community. You can read about these hires and promotions here.

Pathways

Another way we’re increasing belonging is by expanding the Pathways program to all first-year students this semester, and all first years and sophomores next year. Through mentoring and peer advising, Pathways helps students transition to college life, giving them a sense of belonging and preparing them for future academic and professional success.

Trone Gift for Mental Health, Hillel

As you may have seen earlier this week, Congressman David Trone ’77 and his wife June made a $10 million gift to Furman. With $8.5 million, we will make significant changes in how mental fitness and mental health care are integrated into student experiences. With $1.5 million, they established the Hillel Endowment Fund to support the Jewish Student Association, which provides great services for our Jewish students and programming that will enrich everyone. We rely on generous donors like the Trones who believe in our integrated education model.

Honoring Pioneers

One of my favorite photos of a Furman moment is of Lillian Brock Flemming ’71 M’75 H’14 and Sarah Reese ’71 H’14 together after receiving honorary degrees in 2014. The two life-long friends laugh and smile at the camera in their caps and gowns. There is no doubt they belong together. But as the first Black women admitted to Furman, who grew up in the segregated South, they knew the challenges of belonging. We have further honored Lillian and Sarah in ways that permanently ensure their legacy at Furman. I also hope these gestures say to other women of color, you belong here as much as Lillian and Sarah. You can read about the honors here.

Belonging is important not only for the person standing in the crowd feeling alone, it’s important for the crowd itself. It’s symbiotic. Crowds, communities like ours, thrive when they create a sense of support for their members. The more support the community feels, the more people feel like they belong, the more everyone thrives.

Thank you for helping each other feel like they belong, and for helping Furman thrive. And best wishes for an outstanding academic year.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Davis

President