Joseph Vaughn Statue Unveiling
On April 16, 2021, Furman unveiled the Joseph Vaughn statue in front of the Duke Library on the new Joseph Vaughn Plaza. Read the news release.
- Opening and Closing Musical Selections – Greenville Baha’i Community Drummers
- Welcome – Elizabeth Davis, President
- Remarks – Ed Good ’67, Chair, Board of Trustees
- Student Reflections – Qwameek Bethea ’21, President, Furman NAACP Chapter
- Remembering Joseph Vaughn – Marcus Tate, Vaughn Family Member
- Closing Remarks – Michael Jennings, Chief Diversity Officer
Watch the Ceremony Livestream
Statue Unveiling Videos
Joseph Vaughn Statue Unveiling
Joseph Vaughn Statue
Video Reflections
Before the Joseph Vaughn statue was installed, we asked several people what having the statue on campus means to them …
Michael Jennings
Marcus Tate
Lillian Brock Flemming ’71
Harry Shucker ’66
Cherie Maiden
Chandra Dillard
Alyssa Smith ’20
Joseph Allen Vaughn
Read the biography of Furman's first Black student.
The Statue
The bronze statue honors the historic courage of Joseph Vaughn.
The Sculptor
Sculptor Steven Whyte was commissioned to create a statue of Joseph Vaughn ’68, Furman’s first African American undergraduate student.
The Plaza
Joseph Vaughn Plaza establishes a place for reflection and celebration of those who helped to make the university a more equitable and inclusive place.