Luke Parsons ’26 reflects on Furman as he readies for the workforce

Luke Parsons ’26 has spent much of his life around Furman University, but as graduation approaches, his perspective has shifted from familiarity to deep appreciation.

A senior economics major from Easley, South Carolina, Parsons grew up attending events on campus, where his father, Derek Parsons, has taught for nearly four decades. Still, choosing Furman was about more than legacy.

“I knew that I wanted a smaller school,” Parsons said. “I knew that Furman was that for me.”

Like many students, Parsons arrived unsure of his path. He found direction in economics after a high school class intrigued him and showed him a glimpse at his potential and the possibilities of a liberal arts education.

“The liberal arts teach you how to learn,” he said. “They’re not teaching you how to perform a specific task.”

That mindset allowed him to explore broadly before narrowing his focus through internships and hands-on experiences. Equally impactful were the relationships he built along the way. Faculty mentorship played a defining role in his journey. Frederick W. Symmes Professor of Economics, Nathan Cook, was a guiding force for Parsons, encouraging him through internship applications and seeking out research opportunities. John Quinn, his Pathways advisor, was instrumental in finding ways for Parsons to expand his interests outside of the economics landscape.

“Professor (Nathan) Cook and John Quinn were there for me every step of the way,” Parsons said. “That’s just not something that you have anywhere else.”

Outside the classroom, Parsons embraced opportunities like the Clemens Angel Analyst Fellowship and the Piedmont Economics Club, building networks that extended beyond campus. That persistence paid off. After completing an internship in the real estate sector the summer before his senior year, he began working on job applications for after graduation. By October, Parsons secured a role with Wells Fargo in the Corporate and Investment Banking division months before graduation.

Now, as he prepares to leave a place that has shaped him for years, Parsons reflects with both gratitude and readiness. “It is surreal that I’m leaving Furman,” he says. “But it feels like it’s time.”

For Parsons, Furman has been more than a university. It’s been a community that challenged him, supported him and ultimately prepared him for what comes next.