Commentary: They said it

“This place was highly instrumental in my development as a person and as a musician, and it had a lot to do with where I ended up being.” — Keith Lockhart ’81, Boston Pops conductor, during a visit to campus in February, when the Furman Symphony Orchestra performed with the Pops.

“Kelly and I have chosen to support Furman and to continue to increase our level of funding as a result of our steadfast belief in the enduring value of a liberal arts education. Our Furman experience, and I emphasize the word experience, created the firm foundation we both have relied upon to build two successful businesses.” — Brian McSharry ’88 of Greenville, at the Richard Furman Society banquet in February, on why he and his wife, Kelly Kennedy McSharry ’88, support Furman.

“Probably around 700 students in Greenville County Schools right now are part of families regarded as homeless — that is, staying in a shelter, staying piled in with family or friends, staying in a motel, or staying in a car.” — Tony McDade ’79, director of Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN), in Town magazine. GAIHN is a collaboration among churches to provide the homeless with shelter, food and hospitality.

“It’s an opportunity for juniors and seniors to live together and orient their lives around the intersection of their faith and their life in the Christian community.” — Rimes McElveen ’96, executive director of Mere Christianity Forum, in a Greenville News article. MCF promotes critical exploration of the Christian faith.

“The right-to-life people are extremely smart with their strategy. Go after late-term abortions and chip away, chip away, chip away. You are making an argument on late-term abortions that might end up being very useful to you as a limit on earlier abortions.” — Political science professor Glen Halva-Neubauer, in a Kansas City (Mo.) Star article.

“When I began my career as a sustainability student, it was with a somewhat vague idea of sustainability. I knew that I was interested in living more harmoniously with the environment and making choices that would help everyone live a better life, but I did not then recognize this as the basis for sustainability. Each year here has taught me a new lesson in sustainability, which together created a learning experience I will never forget.” — Anne-Marie Melief ’13, on “The Green Scene at Furman” blog.

“The myths of vulnerability are that, one, it is weakness; two, I can opt out; three, it is letting it all hang out, or over-sharing; and four, I can go it alone. In reality, vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage. It is the heart of all emotions; it isn’t optional. Without vulnerability, there is no intimacy. Vulnerability is about trust, intimacy and connection.” — Brene Brown, research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, during February’s “Engaging Faith” conference sponsored by the Chaplains’ Office and Nexus Center.

“I’ve played a lot of instruments, but the ukulele is best, hands down. Four strings, four fingers, super happy. Get a ukulele. It’ll make you feel better.” — Russ Morin ’84, in a Greenville News article on his work as a luthier. Visit russmorin.com.

“We had the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ back in the fall of 2011. People thought it was going to be a cathartic change, it was going to be significant, an upheaval of massive social proportions. And it was pretty much a non-event.” — Dana K. Chipman, Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army of father of Claire Chipman ’14. He spoke on campus in March.