Furman honors students, faculty and retirees at 2026 commencement

Furman University awarded several awards and honors to students and faculty at the May 9 commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. President Elizabeth Davis, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Beth Pontari and Board of Trustees Chair Cindy Davis ’84 handed out the following awards.

General Excellence Awards

The Donaldson-Watkins and the Bradshaw-Feaster Medals for General Excellence are awarded each year by the faculty to outstanding senior graduates. The awards are based on scholarship, general culture, participation in college activities and high moral character.

The 2026 Donaldson-Watkins Medal was awarded to Mia Amore Mantovani, an economics and Spanish major on the pre-law track from Lake Mary, Florida. The Bradshaw-Feaster Medal was awarded to Charles Frempong, a biology major from Agona Swedru, Ghana.

Scholarship Cup

The Furman University Scholarship Cup is awarded to the undergraduate degree candidate or candidates with the highest grade-point averages. This year’s scholarship cup winners have all achieved a perfect academic record.

This year, the Scholarship Cups were awarded to: Vivian Grace Claire, George Newman Davis, Mary Christine Helms, Elija Somers Hicks, Skylar Kendall Hilmer, Ashley Noelle Johnson, William Arnold Johnson III, Abigail Elaine Kandare, Mary Kathryn Lancaster, Mia Amore Mantovani, Erin Elizabeth Prins, Sean Walker Rowland, Tanner Schuck, Lillian Merrill Smith, Lynley Everline Stewart, Benjamin Mark Vander Wal and Clayton Andrew Wallace.

Meritorious Teaching and Advising

The Alester G. Furman Jr. and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Advising is given annually to a member or members of the faculty or staff judged to be exceptional academic advisors. The 2026 awards for meritorious advising were presented to Professor of Chemistry Mary Elizabeth Anderson and the Frederick W. Symmes Professor of Economics Nathaniel P.S. Cook.

The Alester G. Furman, Jr. and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Teaching is given annually to a member or members of the faculty in recognition of teaching excellence. The 2026 award for meritorious teaching was presented to Professor of Chemistry Greg Gardner Springsteen and the Herman N. Hipp Professor of Computer Science Kevin Siegfried Treu.

Retiring Faculty

Davis also acknowledged retiring faculty and staff at the ceremony. This year’s 10 retirees represent 321 years of cumulative service to the university. Faculty and staff who retired after the 2025-2026 academic year were:

• John Barrington, professor of history – 30 years
• Anthony Caterisano, professor of health sciences – 42 years
• Margaret Caterisano, professor of theatre arts – 33 years
• Harris Heath, professor of education – 29 years
• Richard Letteri, professor of communication studies – 37 years
• Stephen O’Neill, professor of history – 39 years
• Nicholas Radel, professor of English – 40 years
• Scott Salzman, associate librarian – 28 years
• Robert Underwood, professor of business and accounting – 20 years
• Paul Wagenknecht, professor of chemistry – 23 years

Commencement 2026 >>