Advantage Scholars get first experience as Paladins

This summer, The Riley Institute welcomed 39 incoming scholars to Furman University’s campus for a four-day immersive experience focused on leadership development and effective communication on pressing civic issues.

The Advantage Scholars program introduces recipients of Furman’s named scholarships to the university’s academic values, which includes ensuring that students are prepared to engage with the world as skilled communicators and leaders.

“We know lasting solutions to any societal issue will require compromise and a willingness to listen to and partner with those with whom we disagree, so we chose to work on developing discourse skills in the incoming Furman scholars,” said Kendall Gallagher-King, director of student programs at The Riley Institute.

One of the first workshops Advantage Scholars focused on was intergroup dialogue, asking participants to step outside their comfort zones, reflect on their communication styles and explore how this may affect their ability to connect with people who have differing perspectives.

Loralei Jones ’29 and Liz Moody ’26 enjoy down time during the Advantage Scholars program. Photo by Jeremy Fleming ’08.

“I really liked the point about respecting other people’s ideas and how just that idea of respect can make such a difference,” said Raphaela Bigwood ’29 from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “I think it’s such an important trait of leading and creating solutions, especially in today’s political atmosphere where everything is about winning and not backing down an inch.”

Interactive workshops such as Talk Less: Ask More and Concentric Circles helped students develop the ability to ask better questions, listen empathetically and speak with intention.

“Conor Riordan (’24, a post-baccalaureate fellow for scholars programming), gave such a great lesson on how to ask questions with more power and meaning behind them,” said Anna Kate Bailey ’29 from Vestavia Hills, Alabama. “I’m excited to put those skills to use both in and out of the classroom.”

In addition to workshops, students participated in issue-based learning experiences, grouped by their interests in topics like public education, sustainability, community health, criminal justice and housing and homelessness. The students also visited Greenville organizations, including Public Education Partners and Triune Mercy Center, connecting classroom ideas to real-world impacts.

“This experience really solidified that I was in a place that set me apart from students at other schools,” Bigwood said. “There were learning opportunities outside of the classroom that I wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

Experiences like this highlight how Furman allows students to learn through experience, develop interpersonal skills, build connections and gain an authentic understanding of the world and communities around them.

For some, like James Garland ’29 from Simpsonville, South Carolina, participating in Advantage Scholars confirmed his choice to attend Furman. “The students I met and the speakers I heard from made it clear that I am at the right place. I love having deep, challenging conversations, diving into nuance and exploring the biggest questions in life.”