This Is Our Moment

The Clearly Furman campaign sets out to make the full promise of the university real.

Britany V. Bonilla-Martinez ’24 hopes to become a physician assistant who helps to address health inequities experienced by various patient populations. Jonathan Luines ’26 has just started college, but his interests are already leading him toward entrepreneurship. And Addison Smith ’22, who was deeply involved in the Heller Service Corps, is now headed to Duke Law School. 

All of them benefited from the vision and generosity of the Furman family, those among us who see that gifts to Furman create unmatched opportunities for students and faculty and, in turn, help each generation to shape a better world. In this special campaign issue of Furman magazine, get to know these students and learn about investments that have helped to advance our goals by serving the distinct priorities of Clearly Furman, the Campaign for Our Third Century. From scholarships to athletics to faculty excellence to university facilities, the rewards of giving to Furman surround us. 

“Furman’s mission is to challenge and support lifelong learners through rigorous inquiry, transformative experiences, and deep reflection to lead lives of meaning and consequence,” says Vice President for Development Heidi McCrory. “Through Clearly Furman, the most significant comprehensive campaign in our history, we have the opportunity to support generations of students to develop their potential and, through them, positively impact the world. Every philanthropic gift is an act of optimism, and this is our moment to shape a brighter future for us all.” 

One purpose of the campaign is to make strategic investments to continue to strengthen Furman, which also makes the university more competitive, says Robert Hill ’83, a major donor to Furman, member of the Board of Trustees, and co-chair of the campaign with his wife, Margaret Platt Hill ’83. 

“Furman needs to make sure we’re doing the right things to continue to make this a place of prestige and interest,” he says. Hill also emphasizes the importance of serving students. 

“There are a lot of support activities that are part of the campaign, but at the top of the list, we’ve got to remember that the students are here for a reason,” he says. “And we’ve got to have a real service mentality. I think the campaign’s broad focus will help serve our students better than we ever have.” 

FUNDING PRIORITIES 

Scholarships, Teaching and Academic Programs: Inspire Minds Where They Meet 

The Furman Advantage: Power Our Defining Difference 

Wellness, Belonging and Community: Make Personal Promise Matter 

Athletics, Coaching and Competitiveness: Inspiring Greatness 

The Institutes: Drive Impact with Innovation 

The Annual Fund: Magnify the Meaning of Generosity 

CLEARLY FURMAN, THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR THIRD CENTURY 

Our Campaign Goals 

STRENGTHEN academic opportunity and excellence through scholarships for students, designated funding for great teaching, and innovative academic programs. 

SUPPORT every student’s growth and personal vision through our intentional Pathways two-year advising program, meaningful community engagement and internship opportunities, and intensive career preparation. 

BOOST student wellness and well-being, including ensuring that Furman is maximally inclusive for students of every life experience. 

ENHANCE athletic competitiveness and leadership through investments in Paladin student-athletes, teams, facilities, coaches and training programs. 

EXPAND the hands-on learning and career preparation available for students through our four exceptional and distinctive institutes and all they offer for academic opportunity, faculty research, and state and national impact. 

LIFT our annual fund into a powerful recurring resource for bold and opportunistic investments in new areas of excellence as they arise across our people, programs and physical spaces.