For S.C. Rep. Neal Collins \u201904, receiving the 2026 Riley Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative Leadership Award from The Riley Institute at Furman University was a full-circle moment.<\/p>\n
Collins, who represents Pickens and Greenville Counties in the state House of Representatives, remembers contemplating a life of public service as early as his childhood and viewing Furman University as an avenue to get there.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt my core, I am a rural South Carolina kid from a mobile home community. I knew I would return to my community to try to make it a better\u00a0place,\u201d said Collins. \u201cI wanted Furman to prepare me for a future in law and politics.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Collins, attending Furman gave him the exposure and knowledge he needed to feel comfortable entering into politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is academically or socially intimidating now, which serves me well, and, more importantly, serves my community well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Collins has served District 5 as a state representative since 2014 and was recognized with the legislative leadership award for his bipartisanship and evidence-based approach to policymaking. He has served on the House Ways and Means, House Judiciary and Legislative Oversight Committees, and is a champion of public education and child welfare.<\/p>\n
Collins has become known among his constituents and fellow representatives as someone who engages deeply with data and research when weighing his legislative decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think approaching issues from a fact-based orientation instead of partisan or emotional standpoints ultimately lead to better policy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He attributes his ability to navigate research, evidence and diverse viewpoints to Furman\u2019s academic rigor.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlong with rigorous academic standards, my experience was that Furman also improved my critical thinking skills to be able to understand numerous viewpoints,\u201d said Collins. \u201cThis has been important, because seeing different angles in policy and data creates opportunity for win-win solutions in an increasingly polarized society.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his acceptance speech for the award, Collins touched on today\u2019s polarization, the challenges and importance of taking his role as a public servant seriously. He remembers his Furman faculty mentors as people who pushed him to work hard and with integrity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was blessed with multiple caring, inspiring professors. Most notably, doctors (Don) Aiesi, (Danielle) Vinson, (Bill) Allen, (Harlon) Patton, (Donald) Gordon, (Brent) Nelsen and (John) Simpkins who challenged and pushed me in an honorable way,\u201d he said. \u201cI already had a chip on my shoulder to prove my worth, but Dr. Aiesi put a boulder on my shoulder. His challenge still positively impacts me today. I hope he and my former professors are all proud of how I publicly serve \u2013 they are all pieces of who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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