Furman confronts slavery past, expands scholarship fund

Furman’s Task Force on Slavery and Justice examined the extent to which the university used and benefited from slave labor in the 1800s. The group presented its findings to the board of trustees over the weekend of Oct. 27. Among the recommendations was the expansion of a scholarship fund in memory of Joseph Vaughn, the university’s first African-American student. The board approved the move to increase funds to $1 million in total annual awards; and $3 million in endowment funds will be designated for future awards. The Greenville News reported on all the recommendations, which will be examined by the board’s special committee on slavery and injustice.