Ford Riddle ’12 named Director of Alumni Engagement for Furman University

Ford Riddle has been named director of Alumni Engagement at Furman University.

Riddle, a 2012 graduate of Furman, has nearly a decade of experience in alumni engagement and fundraising with a track record of success in development leadership roles at Furman, Clemson University and the United Way of Greenville County. Most recently, he served as senior director of development and unit lead for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University, where he led major gift initiatives and strategic engagement efforts.

“Ford’s deep understanding of alumni relations, leadership giving and donor development will be instrumental in enhancing Furman’s alumni engagement efforts,” said Shon Herrick, interim vice president for Development at Furman. “His vision for this role centers on three key areas: fostering a strong, supportive alumni network that benefits both graduates and current students, strengthening Furman’s reputation by cultivating alumni ambassadors and increasing philanthropy through meaningful engagement.”

“For me, Furman is deeply personal,” Ford said. “As a student from a single-parent home, Furman provided not only the financial support I needed but also an incredible community that stood by me during difficult times. Our alumni play a critical role in ensuring that future generations of students have an even better experience than we did. By strengthening engagement, fostering strategic volunteerism, and increasing donor support, we can build upon a thriving network that supports students, alumni and Furman’s future.”

Riddle will begin his position April 28. He succeeds Allison Foy ’05, who is now in a similar position at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville.

There are more than 35,000 Furman alumni worldwide; more than 11,000 live in South Carolina, and 9,400 are in the Upstate.