75 Years of Furman Magazine

Furman University has been South Carolina’s university for nearly as long as the United States of America has been recognized. While the country celebrates 250 years and Furman marks 200 years, the university’s alumni magazine takes a moment to remember the start of the publication in 1951 and the 75 years of near-continuous issues that cover the academic accomplishments, celebrity visits, cultural issues and societal changes that those decades have seen. 

Frank Selvy ’54

1950s  

Furman magazine was first published at the end of 1951 and featured 20 pages of university news. This was considered the “post-war era” at Furman and the content focused mainly on the makeup of the student body and letters from the president. From the start of the magazine until the end of 1960, six issues were published each year. 

November 1951  

First issue of the Furman magazine featured 20 pages and its first editor, Erwin L McDonald. Most all information would be considered internal announcements by today’s standards including names of the incoming class and efforts to boost enrollment and grow the curriculum at Furman, topics that still resonate today 

February 1953 

A look back on Richard Furman’s life and legacy. Frank Selvy ’54 leads the Furman basketball team to the Southern Conference tournament. 

July-August 1954 through February 1955 

In the span of six months, Furman magazine sees two editors take over. First was Dyar Massey and in February it was William Bagwell. These issues cover the announcement of a new campus and the Paladins coming to terms with life after their star basketball player Frank Selvy ’54 graduates. 

April 1957 

Progress is made on construction of the new campus at Furman’s present location and the five buildings that kicked it off.  

August 1959  

Furman magazine experiences its first redesign. 

Furman Magazine, summer 1968

1960s  

Like the rest of the country, the focus of Furman magazine takes a major turn in the 1960s and desegregation is a major topic. Furman’s first Black students are admitted during this time, and new campus buildings and dedications were a big part of the early ’60s. But unrest across the United States dominated the narrative from the mid-’60s and into the 1970s. Frequency of published magazines also dropped from six annually in the 1950s to four per year for this entire decade. 

March 1960 

Dedication of the Duke Library is scheduled 

January 1961  

Furman magazine goes through its second redesign to a style that was less formal, but still more newsletter in appearance. 

Summer 1964 

New editor Marguerite Hays ’54 becomes the first female editor of Furman magazine. 

Professor Charles Townes with a student, circa 1969.

Fall 1964 

Charles Townes is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the creation of the maser and laser. 

Winter 1966 

Articles on “Student Unrest and the College Campus” by then-President Gordon W. Blackwell and demonstrations across the country become regular features starting in 1966. 

Summer 1966 to Summer 1967 

Possibly due to the changing focus, the magazine is essentially redesigned over the next four issues from the summer of 1966 to the summer of 1967.  

Spring 1968  

Politics continues to dominate the features with the story “Has ‘Politics’ Become a Dirty Word?” 

Summer 1968  

A redesign changes the look of the magazine from a newsletter style to something that resembles the periodicals of the time. 

August 1969 

During the “Summer of Love,” the effect of civil unrest on college campuses and how it’s directly affecting Furman University was top-of-mind for readers. The piece “A ‘Radical’ Way of Thinking” quotes Jack Sullivan ’69 saying “This isn’t anti-Americanism. I see it as an affirmation of what the country genuinely stands for in its rhetoric – but does not practice.”  

Winter 1969  

Willard Pate, professor of English, begins writing articles for the magazine, first about William Faulkner. Her impact on Furman over 60 years here was monumental and can be seen on page 18 and in her obituary on page 56. 

Furman Magazine, summer 1976

1970s 

Politics continues to be the topic of the moment in the early 1970s, but as the university’s 150th anniversary came closer in 1976, the stories focused on internal academics and external accomplishments. Features about research, curriculum and the growing classroom needs at Furman are most highlighted during this time. 

Summer 1970 

“The Constitution on the Campus” and what student rights look like in demonstration is explored by Judge Clement Haynsworth. It was a common theme of the late ’60s and early ’70s during the Vietnam conflict.  

Spring 1972  

Furman magazine produces an “arts” issue dedicated to the fine arts curriculum and the students, faculty and alumni who came through those classes. 

Spring 1974 

Examining “Status of Women at Furman” by Hazel W. Harris. The university showed changing attitudes toward jobs previously filled only by males. Females were hired to fill the position of janitor, a higher paying position than a maid’s job and women could work in men’s dormitories. Furman administrators also initiated ways to identify and correct policies and practices that discriminate against women.  

Summer 1976  

Furman magazine sees a redesign after eight years. 

Furman Magazine, Fall, 1989

1980s  

By the mid-1980s, Furman University had been at its current home for nearly 30 years, and the stories followed the progress of the space and the students. Original structures were taken down and replaced with larger facilities to accommodate the growth in student population and university popularity. And the connection between Greenville and Furman was front and center to that conversation. 

Summer 1980 

“A Fond Farewell to Sirrine Stadium” and the dawn of a new era in Athletics. The facility is demolished, but remembered as playing an integral role in the development of collegiate football in South Carolina. 

Spring 1984 

Furman magazine highlights the resurging Greenville downtown and how Furman and the community work together in that effort. 

Spring 1987  

Furman magazine sees a much-needed redesign after more than a decade.  

Winter 1988 

Betsy King rises in the ranks of the LPGA and is one of the top players on the tour.  

Fall 1989  

Furman marks the 20-year anniversary of the Study Away program and its immense popularity and growth. “In just 20 years Frank Bonner and a group of Furman professors have established a foreign study program that has enriched the lives of hundreds of students.” See a photo retrospective on Study Away at Furman on pages 46-47. 

Furman Magazine, Fall 1995

1990s  

The 1990s were leaner than previous decades for Furman magazine as only about one issue each year was published until 1999 when it grew to three issues that year. It was also a decade of change for Furman after it left the Southern Baptist Alliance in 1992 and celebrated the hiring of a new president in 1994. 

Summer 1993 

Students become the focus of larger stories in Furman magazine – including in the profile feature “Furman Students Today…Who Are They?” – as the university grows its audience, prospective student pool and recruitment efforts. The most popular majors include: economics and business administration, biology, education, political science, psychology, English, music, history and chemistry. 

Fall 1994 

New President David E. Shi ’73 is welcomed along with a cover story on new Furman first lady Susan Shi ’71 M’73. David Shi is quoted, “When I imagine the ideal college, I see Furman – a community of bright people and elegant structures nestled within a pastoral setting, yet deeply involved in the larger world.” 

Spring 1997 

Guitar maker Stephen McSwain ’91 is featured for the handmade guitars that he created for the likes of Steve Vai, Alice in Chains, Aerosmith and more.  

May 1999  

New editor Jim Stewart ushers in another redesign of the magazine after more than 10 years. 

Furman Magazine, Spring 2002

2000s 

This is a return to consistency for Furman magazine as four issues were published each year during the early 2000s. It was a start of a new millennium and one that saw changes in leadership in the country and the tragedy of September 11, 2001. 

Spring 2002 

Madeleine Albright visits campus and features about a post-9/11 world are brought to campus and the globe. 

Fall 2006  

Another redesign makes Furman magazine more modern and appealing to the changing alumni demographic.  

Winter 2007 

Furman begins the process of improving the quality and impact of the now-famous Furman Lake. 

Furman Magazine, Summer, 2008

Summer 2008  

President George W. Bush gives May 2008 Commencement speech. 

Spring 2009  

Furman reflects on the “Golden” 50th anniversary of the campus’ move from downtown Greenville to its current location. 

2010s  

Major shifts are happening across campus starting with Furman’s first female president Elizabeth Davis, who leads the university into a new age. By the Fall 2014 issue, Furman magazine has been redesigned and goes to two issues per year. The content focuses on major initiatives under Davis including sustainability, civic engagement and major fundraising campaigns. 

2010 

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, comes to Furman to attend the annual Gallabrae Scottish Games held at Furman University since 2006. 

Furman Magazine, Fall 2014

Fall 2014  

The magazine gets its most recent redesign alongside a story welcoming in Furman’s first female president, Elizabeth Davis. 

Spring 2015 

Stories highlight evolving campus initiatives including sustainability, civic engagement and curriculum innovation marking the changing mission of Furman University. 

Fall 2016 

Furman University introduces The Furman Advantage, an extraordinary experience of academic excellence, close faculty mentorship and life-changing opportunities that empower students to thrive. It’s an integral part of the Furman experience to this day. 

Fall 2017 

The total solar eclipse comes to Furman and brings about one of the most iconic and award-winning photos of Furman Lake. 

Furman Magazine, Spring 2023

2020s  

Only six years into the 2020s and it’s been an eventful decade to say the least. It started with a pandemic the likes of which haven’t been seen in 100 years. We started our most ambitious fundraising campaign ever. We got through devastating hurricanes and winter storms. And through it all, Furman found ways to celebrate triumphs and enjoy what it means to be a Paladin. 

Fall 2020 

For the first time since 1996, there was no issue of Furman magazine printed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue was, however, published online, introducing the first-ever digital issue of the magazine. 

Spring 2022 

Reports on the Clearly Furman campaign and how major gifts would shape future facilities  and programs.  

Fall 2023  

Furman celebrates a major upset of Virginia in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the continuation of major progress and making the Furman Paladins a household name. 

Spring 2026 

Through 200 years of Furman University and 75 years of the magazine, the first commemorative issue is released highlighting many of the wonderful, impactful, amazing and hilarious things that have made Furman awesome. You should read it cover to cover.