For alumni and friends
of the university
of the university
200 Things We Love About Furman
There is more to love at Furman University. See what we love about this place and see what you can add to the list.
We talk about Furman University in myriad ways. We talk about the people (students, alumni, professors, staff, supporters and fans). We talk about the place (scenery, eateries, wildlife, recreation). We talk about the things that make Furman special.
And with every conversation where Furman might come up, the list of material we recall gets longer and longer. Every class, every donation, every commitment to be a Paladin has a story and we have tried to pull just a few of those things into a list of greatness that speaks to the history and impact of the Purple and White.
Two hundred things that scream (or whisper) Furman for you to read and – better yet – add to.
Campus Magic
Swans on Furman Lake near the Bell Tower. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University.
1 The Bell Tower and Furman Lake
It’s impossible to separate Furman from its reflection in the water. The Bell Tower stands as a symbol of calm, continuity and campus pride. Whether it’s dawn mist or sunset gold, every student finds a little peace here.
2 Campus wildlife
A difference maker at Furman is the ability to commune with nature. Here, copper-colored squirrels say hello when you enjoy an alfresco meal at the Dining Hall and swans glide across the lake during a leisurely walk between classes. It’s another reminder that being at Furman feels different than any other place in the world.
3 Rose Garden and gazebo
4 Furman Lake walking trail
5 Furman Mall
6 Blue Ridge Mountain views
7 A private campus that welcomes the public
8 Bell Tower clock chimes echoing across the lake
9 Lakeside sunsets
10 Campus trolley rides
11 940 acres of campus
12 Outdoor amphitheater
13 The labyrinth behindthe chapel
14 Games in green spaces
15 Frosted grass on winter mornings
16 Campus is a literal arboretum
17 The Furman Farm
18 Milford Mall
19 The Place of Peace
20 Constantly being a “most beautiful campus” in the country
Student Life & Everyday Joys
Mr. Jim talks with students on the patio of the James B. Duke library on Tuesday, April 4, 2024. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
21 Figuring out what song is playing from the Bell Tower
Ever since the Bell Tower went digital, it can ring out thousands upon thousands of songs, from the Harry Potter theme to Led Zeppelin. So sit by the lake and take a beat to figure out the beat.
22 Cookies at the Dining Hall
There are few things more comforting than a warm chocolate chip cookie. That moment has been a part of Furman University across generations and is now simply a mainstay of the student, staff, faculty and visitor experience.
23 That first Due South coffee of the day from the Library Café
24 Chatting with Mr. Jim
25 185+ student organizations
26 Dining Hall theme nights
27 Campus tours
28 Living four years of campus life
29 Friendly baristas who know your name
30 Conversations on the way to class
31 The stillness of the Duke Library during finals
32 Music drifting through open windows
33 The Paddock patio
34 Reunion hugs at Homecoming
35 Walking to class under the oaks
36 Movie nights by the lake
37 Study groups
38 Group fitness classes
39 The first bell of fall semester
40 The feeling of home on campus
Traditions & Memories
Students in the fountain on LDOC on April 24, 2018.
41 Last Day of Classes (LDOC) in the fountain
The first day of a new year is special, but the last day of classes at Furman each year is a celebration to behold. Graduating seniors spend the day splashing in the fountain and enjoying cold treats and the knowledge that they made it in four years.
42 “FU All the Time” cheer made famous by former Furman President John E. Johns, who would often lead it during the third quarter of games.
43 “Paladin Proud” spirit days
44 The Furman Bucket List
45 Homecoming bonfire
46 Founders Day
47 Commencing up Furman Mall
48 Dins Day
49 Paladin Pitch competition
50 Senior photos by the Bell Tower
51 Moonlight Breakfast
52 Marriage proposals in the Rose Garden
53 Fraternity and sorority orientation and kickoff
54 Cookies from the First Gentleman
55 Move-in Day
56 Singing from the balconies of South Housing
57 Joseph Vaughn Day
58 International Food Festival
59 First-year tour of White Oaks
60 First-year convocation walk
Academic Excellence
Students build their own world view through the Study Away program.
61 The Furman Advantage
Here, education means engagement. Our graduates leave with real-world experience – research, internships or Study Away – supported by mentorship and reflection. It’s where purpose meets practice.
62 Faculty who truly teach
Professors don’t just lecture; they guide. They know your name, your goals and the spark that makes you light up in class. Their mentorship defines the Furman difference.
63 Small class sizes (10:1 ratio)
64 MayX (May Experience)
65 Undergraduate research fellowships
66 Pre-law and pre-med advising
67 The Pathways Program
68 The Riley Institute
69 Language houses
70 75+ majors and minors
71 Interdisciplinary majors
72 Student-designed independent studies
73 Study Away
74 Faculty-student publications
75 Custom degrees
76 ROTC program
77 Honors programs
78 Library Special Collections
79 Sustainability Sciences field trips
80 Meeting with your faculty advisor
Paladin Pride & Athletics
Furman students celebrate in Trone after the men’s basketball team upset UVA in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
81 Saturdays at Paladin Stadium
A sea of purple, a band playing the fight song and the thrill of every snap. It’s more than a game. It’s belonging. The Paladins play with heart, and the student body roars with pride.
82 On-campus golf course
Golf is relaxing and exhausting, tranquil and
infuriating. But it’s all the better on Furman’s on-campus golf course. Whether your handicap is 3 or 30, getting out on this course is a treat for students, staff, faculty and fans.
83 Brand new Timmons Arena
84 The PAC
85 18 Division I teams
86 20+ club and intramural sports
87 Cheer and dance teams
88 Purple Outs
89 Soccer dominance
90 Cross-country runners on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
91 Mountain biking weekends
92 Furman University Outdoor Club
93 Ringing of the Bell Tower after a win
94 Marching band halftime shows
95 Staff and faculty tailgates
96 Davis-Faxon practice facility
97 USA soccer legends Clint Dempsey and Walker Zimmerman are grads
98 Victories over Wofford
99 Victor Paladin selfies
Community Spirit
The Pita and Paws event was hosted by the Heller Service Corps and was held in the Hartness Pavilion on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.
101 Heller Service Corps
One of the largest student groups on campus, it transforms compassion into action. From mentoring kids to community cleanups, students live their values here. Service isn’t an activity, it’s part of the Furman DNA.
102 Mentorship that matters
Professors, staff and alumni all help students find direction. Mentorship here isn’t scheduled, it’s natural. It’s why so many graduates keep coming back to pay it forward.
03 Shucker Center for Leadership Development
104 Volunteer partnerships in Greenville
105 Inclusive classroom culture
106 Honor code tradition
107 Peer counseling programs
108 Faculty advising teams
109 Campus ministries and interfaith life
110 Alumni mentorship
111 Residence hall closeness
112 Service-learning courses
113 Student Government Association
114 Furman Engaged
115 Campuswide support groups
116 Staff who know your name
117 Community-based internships
118 The Furman alumni network
119 The joy of shared purpose
120 Giving back and paying it forward
Surroundings & Settings
Furman students in downtown Greenville. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University.
121 Greenville’s charm
Six miles away, downtown Greenville offers parks, galleries and a world-class food scene. It’s small enough to feel like home, yet big enough to keep surprising you. Students call it their extended campus.
122 Swamp Rabbit Trail connection
A scenic trail linking campus straight to Greenville. Whether you run, bike or wander, it’s the perfect mix of nature and energy. It reminds everyone that learning extends well beyond the campus gates.
123 Paris Mountain State Park
124 Falls Park on the Reedy
125 The Peace Center
126 Travelers Rest coffee shops
127 Unity Park
128 Farmers markets
129 Local art festivals
130 Downtown Greenville’s live music scene
131 Alumni-owned restaurants, breweries and coffee shops
132 Hiking trails for any day of the week
133 Day trips to Asheville
134 Having a Michelin-starred restaurant around the corner
135 Knight Bites food truck
136 Community partnerships
137 Blue Ridge Mountains
138 The weather
139 Friendly locals
140 Greenville’s growing energy
Culture & Creativity
Historical photo of Furman marching band.
141 The Furman Singers
Their harmonies echo across cathedrals worldwide and down the aisles of the campus chapel. It’s tradition wrapped in melody. The sound of Furman is, quite literally, beautiful.
142 Theater at The Playhouse
From Shakespeare to student-written shows, The Playhouse brings stories to life. Every stage moment feels bold, personal and alive with spirit. It’s creativity with purpose.
143 Jazz Ensemble
144 University Chorale
145 Pauper Players musicals
147 Student art exhibitions at Thompson Art Gallery
148 Chamber music recitals
146 Guest poets and writers
149 Dance showcases
150 Furman marching band
151 Drumline
152 Improv troupe
153 Photography in the library gallery
154 Shakespeare on the lawn
155 Visiting artists in residence
156 Jazz nights at Trone
157 Art therapy workshops
158 Student film screenings
159 Music drifting through practice rooms
160 Knowing Amy Grant once walked on campus
Resources & Innovation
Students plant trees during Tree Campus USA as part of Arbor Day Tree Planting for the Shi Center for Sustainability in 2021.
161 Trone Student Center
The campus crossroads – where every path and idea meets. From lakeside dining to student orgs, it’s the pulse of campus life. There’s always something happening, and someone to meet.
162 The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities
A living classroom for environmental innovation. From farm plots to carbon-neutral goals, it turns lessons into impact. Here, green isn’t just a color – it’s a commitment.
163 Center for Interpersonal Connections
164 The James B. Duke Library
165 Furman Innovation Lab
166 Malone Center for Career Engagement
167 Furman Fellows
168 Peer tutoring and writing workshops
169 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on campus
170 Trone Center for Mental Fitness
171 Daniel Chapel
172 Cultural Life Program
173 Meditation spaces
174 The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
175 On-campus bookstore
176 Internship office
177 Modern science and research labs
178 Writing & Media Lab
179 Academic advising network
180 Institute for the Advancement of Community Health
Celebrations & Milestones
The celebration of Commencement brings joy, relief and even some bittersweet moments.
181 Homecoming Weekend
It’s not just about football, it’s a full-circle celebration. Alumni, faculty, students and families return to the Mall, reminding everyone that Furman never stops feeling like home.
182 Commencement
Names are read, cheers rise and the Bell Tower chimes. Beneath open skies, new beginnings echo across the lake. It’s a fond farewell that feels more like “see you soon.”
183 Spring professional development events
184 FU All The Time bourbon
185 International Fashion Show
186 The Carnival
187 Oktoberfest
188 Campus blood drives
189 Bell Tower Ball
190 Lavender Celebration
191 Martin Luther King Jr. Day speakers
192 Cultural festivals
193 Fireworks
194 Spring Concert
195 Christmas concerts at McAlister Auditorium
196 Bonhomie wine from Kennington Family Winery
197 Football victories
198 Campuswide cheers
199 Furman’s Bicentennial
200. The joy of knowing that once a Paladin, always a Paladin.
Bell tower at Furman University.