News from campus and beyond
HAVOC’s superheroes raise more than $54K for charities
HAVOC is an event by FUSAB where students compete against one another to raise money for their respective charities. They must stay in costume until they are eliminated after week of fundraising and challenges.
As the clock struck noon on the first day of HAVOC, costumed crusaders came spilling out onto Furman University’s Milford Mall.
On one end, the X-Men hero Gambit offered to do close-up magic with a deck of cards while one of his friends called students in from atop a unicycle. Captain Underpants struck a pose, eagerly asking people for donations as they passed on their way to the Dining Hall or their next classes. Batgirl and Elastigirl walked by one another on their way to save the day.
These student superheroes slept in tents on the Milford Mall for a week, all while raising money for the charities of their choice. HAVOC is an annual competition that dominates campus for seven days each fall. This year it kicked off Oct. 28, 2024. The Furman University Student Activities Board (FUSAB) organizes this event, picking about 20 students to compete in challenges and raise money.
The tents students slept in for a week during the HAVOC fundraising challenge formed a smiling face when viewed from above on the Milford Mall.
“It’s a very ‘Survivor’-like competition,” said HAVOC organizer Samantha Faulkner ’26. “You build such an incredible community with your fellow students on campus who are donating, as well as your competitors.”
This year’s superhero theme meant the 18 participants dressed like caped crusaders for the entire week, sleeping in their tents and unable to return to their dorms until they were potentially eliminated through a nightly challenge. Those challenges included physical tests or puzzles that would let them earn extra money for their charities. Some HAVOCers were eliminated each night based on a points system, until three winners remained.
Together, these student superheroes raised more than $54,000. Faulkner said it’s common for students to continue receiving donations after they have been eliminated.
“This is an experience unlike any other,” said Callie Harper ’25, dressed as Batgirl.
Harper was the week’s first-place winner, raising more than $8,100 for the charity Morgan’s Message. As a track athlete, Harper had trouble fitting HAVOC into her schedule during previous semesters, but she wanted to embrace the challenge her senior year. It reminded her how compassionate and giving the Furman community is.
The costumes are an awkward but liberating part of the experience, students said. Third-place winner Erol House ’27, aka Captain Underpants, dressed in a bodysuit with a pair of briefs pulled over it complete with a bright red cape and mask. He said the costume was too funny to pass up, and any hint of embarrassment melted away as he began raising money for the Ava Claire Devine Foundation.
Students participating in the 2024 HAVOC fundraising competition dressed as superheroes and camped out on the Milford Mall while raising money for their respective charities.
“It’s hard to miss the HAVOCers,” he said.
These students had an unscheduled challenge to contend with their first night. While camping on the mall, the sprinkler system kicked on leaving some of them washed out of their tents and sleeping indoors, said Nabila Wilson ’27, who was dressed like Hawkeye. She sold donuts and drinks outside the James B. Duke Library to raise money for the Western North Carolina Mutual Aid Fund.
More than half of the funds the competitors raised came from on-campus donations, and Faulker said it’s hard work to get strangers to donate.
“At the end of the day, everyone on campus makes a big impact,” Faulkner said. “That’s not something everybody can see, but we’re making a difference.”