Joseph Vaughn Day 2026 takes place Jan. 30

This year’s Joseph Vaughn Day observance will take place Friday, Jan. 30. Because of expected low temperatures, people are asked to gather in Daniel Chapel at 12:15 p.m.  for the commemoration.

Joseph Vaughn ’68 was Furman University’s first Black undergraduate student, and this event honors the anniversary of his enrollment on Jan. 29, 1965. The program includes remarks from one of Vaughn’s high school classmates, Stanley Williams, as well as Associate Dean of Academic Community Cynthia King, Furman President Elizabeth Davis and Student Diversity Council President Roger Abim-Karmon ’26.

The Rev. Reggie Garrett speaks at Daniel Chapel for the Joseph Vaughn Day Commemoration in 2025. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.

Furman began this annual celebration in 2020, and in 2024 the Black Alumni Council began presenting the Idella Goodson Glen Outstanding Black Alumni Award, named for the 1984 alumna and former Furman assistant vice president for student development, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion and director of multicultural affairs. This year’s recipient is the Rev. Dr. Regenald Garrett ’98, senior pastor of Jubilee Baptist Church

For a full biography of Joseph Vaughn’s life, read “This is Him: The Life of Joseph Allen Vaughn.”