Furman greets more than 400 first-year Paladins on move-in day

Furman University’s campus community welcomed more than 400 first-year students and their families on Aug. 21 as they moved into their new homes for the academic year.

Yellow-shirted student orientation advisors greeted the new Paladins as they arrived, helping unload and carry their belongings into the residence halls of South Housing. (Many first-year students, such as student-athletes, moved in before the official move-in day.)

“It’s electric,” said Dani Wolan ’26, of Lexington, South Carolina, the orientation leader for the event. “I love connecting with people and really want to make sure their experience is as good as mine was.”

Mariel Hoskins ’26 is reflected in a mirror while helping new students and their families move into Blackwell Hall on Thursday, Aug. 21. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.

Along with the student orientation staff, Paladin athletes and ROTC cadets happily helped haul boxes upstairs for the incoming families. Professor of Military Science Lt. Col. Chad Monroe was driving one of a swarm of golf carts helping carry luggage and offering bottles of cold water throughout the hot and humid morning.

“It’s nostalgic seeing people move in,” said Summer Karle ’26, from Greenwood, South Carolina. She was one of the ROTC helpers. “I actually lived right here in Geer Hall my first year.”

There’s nothing more exciting than seeing students back on campus and beginning their journeys here, said Associate Dean of Students & Director of Housing and Residence Life Ron Thompson.

“Our team works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure they feel welcome and supported, and to ensure this important transition is as smooth as possible,” he said.

New students and their family members unload items outside of Blackwell Hall during move-in day on Thursday, Aug. 21. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.

Outside each of the residence halls, students helped break down cardboard boxes and deposit them for recycling. Chatham Bonner ’26, from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, said keeping her energy high was easy every time she greeted a fresh face. Making connections with first-year students was a joy, because as a senior she has the chance to help them feel part of the campus community right away.

“We’re helping break down boxes so parents have one less thing to worry about today,” she said.

Outside Blackwell Hall, Russell Martin was part of the buzz of excitement as he helped his daughter, Lily Martin ’29, also from Greenwood, South Carolina, move in. Lily is studying music as a vocalist and set her mind on Furman early in her college search. Though he urged her to consider all her options, her dad said, “Truth be told, I was all-in on Furman since the beginning, too.”

What does the Furman Class of 2029 look like?

Furman, which celebrates its bicentennial in 2026, will formally welcome the Class of 2029 during the Convocation ceremony on Aug. 25. There are 557 enrolled first-year Paladins, chosen from 9,527 applicants. About 58% of the class is female, with 42% male; nearly a quarter of the class is racially and ethnically diverse.

They’re from everywhere

• 35 states
• 22 countries
• 13% from the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
• 8% from the Midwest/West
• 17% from the Southeast (outside the Carolinas and Georgia)
• 56% from Georgia, South Carolina or North Carolina

They’ve done the reading

• 63 unweighted core GPA
• 10 class valedictorians
• 18 class salutatorians
• 99 in the top 10% of their graduating class
• 186 National Honor Society members

They get involved

• 262 significantly involved in community service
• 152 sports team captains
• 79 theatre stars
• 115 musical group leaders

They stand out

• One received the Princeton Prize in Race Relations
• One has sung in Carnegie Hall
• One is a member of an aerial circus company along with two Paladin siblings
• One is a Major League Soccer player