Then: Recalling What Makes Furman Special

In November 2023, I had the pleasure of welcoming a diverse group of Furman faculty, staff and alumni to the newly opened International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina. I serve as the director of education at IAAM, and as I shared my opening remarks with the crowd – all of whom were gathered to celebrate the launch of Clearly Furman, the Campaign for Our Third Century – I could not help but be struck by how my work at IAAM and in my previous role as a college professor overlaps with the campaign’s mission.

The goal of Clearly Furman is to position the university to continue and enhance its legacy of transformative academic experiences that position students to serve their communities with excellence, skill and compassion.

My experiences at Furman certainly prepared me for my career as an educator. I will never forget sitting in a half-darkened classroom in Furman Hall with fellow history majors, long after classes ended, poring over the writings of Michel Foucault and other postmodern theorists with History Professor Erik Ching. Noticing my aptitude and that of a few other history majors for the field, Dr. Ching took it upon himself to tutor us in the theoretical frameworks we would need to know to succeed in graduate school. He took his own time, outside of his regularly scheduled classes, to meet with my classmates and me to help us prepare for our future.

After completing a doctorate in history and working as a college professor, I spent many an afternoon helping students navigate difficult coursework as well as difficult seasons in life. Even now, in my current role in the museum sector, I have the privilege of working one-on-one with young professionals, some of whom want to pursue graduate studies. I find myself staying after hours to offer advice to help them achieve their goals. I wish to thank Dr. Ching and many other professors at Furman for nurturing the spirit of service-oriented leadership within me.

As Furman approaches its third century, I wish the university, its faculty, its staff and its students every success. My Furman experience was truly transformative, and I look forward to seeing how the institution continues to impact students in the decades to come.

About the Author

Felice F. Knight ’02 is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, where she serves as director of education at the International African American Museum.