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Furman honors students, faculty at 2025 commencement
Anna Bing ’25 is presented with an award during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony in Paladin Stadium on May 10.
Furman University awarded several major honors to students and faculty at the May 10 commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025. President Elizabeth Davis was aided by Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Beth Pontari and Board of Trustees Chair Kevin T. Byrne ’91 as they handed out the following awards.
General Excellence Award
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.
In 2025, the Donaldson-Watkins Medal was presented to Noah Leong-Han Nussbaum of Grovetown, Georgia. The Bradshaw-Feaster Medal went to Kayla Marie Burrell of Greenville, South Carolina.
Scholarship Cup
The Furman University Scholarship Cup is awarded to the undergraduate degree candidate or candidates with the highest grade-point average. The 2025 scholarship cup winners all achieved a perfect academic record.
This year, the Scholarship Cups were awarded to: Anna Scott Bing, Kayla Marie Burrell, Lillian Mary Feingold, Ella Rose Harrison, Christian Gregory Kubista, Morgan Elyse Locklear, Summer Lillian Marsden, Genevieve Keely Messina, Emma Rose Page, Claire Donaghue Razanauskas, Jonathan Thomas Stokes, Grace Allie Thomas, Xenia Sorya Weislamle.
Xenia Weislämle ’25 interned in cancer research at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in 2024.
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 2025 awards for meritorious advising were presented to Kylie Michelle Fisher, assistant professor of art, and John Michael Harris, professor of mathematics.
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 2025 award for meritorious teaching was presented to Cleveland Robert Fraser, professor of politics and international affairs, and Nicholas Frederick Radel, professor of English.
Retiring Faculty
Davis also acknowledged retiring faculty at the ceremony. This year’s faculty retirees share 192 years of cumulative service to the university. Faculty who retired after the 2024-2025 academic year were:
- Cleveland Robert Fraser, professor of politics and international affairs, who served 42 years on the faculty
- Donald Lloyd Gordon, professor of politics and international affairs and executive director and special counsel for the Riley Institute, who served 56 years on faculty
- Gary Jay Malvern, professor of music, who served 41 years on faculty
- Mark Alan Stone, professor of philosophy, who served 28 years on faculty
- Elizabeth Christopher Young, instruction and research services librarian, who served 25 years on staff