{"id":41930,"date":"2026-05-07T10:52:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/?p=41930"},"modified":"2026-05-08T10:45:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:45:12","slug":"magazine-name-drop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/magazine-name-drop\/","title":{"rendered":"Name Drop"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stories\u00a0exist on every corner of\u00a0Furman University\u2019s campus.\u00a0They are rooted in the Rose\u00a0Garden that adds fragrance to\u00a0campus, in the Japanese temple\u00a0that offers respite on the edge\u00a0of the lake and in the library\u00a0where\u00a0students\u00a0study.\u00a0Since the university moved to its\u00a0current home in 1958, the Furman\u00a0campus has evolved into a living\u00a0space that moves in harmony among\u00a0the classrooms,\u00a0common areas,\u00a0residence halls, and the people who\u00a0use\u00a0them.\u00a0Lest we\u00a0forget those who make\u00a0these spaces\u00a0possible. These\u00a0buildings have a name that offers\u00a0deeper insight into the individuals\u00a0who have shaped, and continue to\u00a0shape, Furman.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trone Student Center and Trone Center for Mental Fitness<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

These spaces are central to student life\u00a0on campus and can be attributed to\u00a0David J. Trone \u201977, a graduate of Furman\u00a0and a member of the Board of Trustees.\u00a0Trone is the owner and founder of\u00a0Total Wine & More, which\u00a0operates\u00a0290 stores in 30 states plus the\u00a0District\u00a0of Columbia, and served as a U.S.\u00a0Representative for Maryland\u2019s 6th\u00a0District from 2019 to 2025. One of his areas of focus is mental\u00a0health and well-being, which inspired\u00a0the donation from\u00a0he\u00a0and his wife, June,\u00a0to enhance mental health services at Furman. The Student Center got a revamp in\u00a02005 and today it houses meeting space,\u00a0a theater, cozy space to study and gather,\u00a0a pub-style restaurant and resources like\u00a0career services, engaged learning and\u00a0student life services, not to mention a\u00a0beautiful view of Furman Lake<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

James B. Duke Library<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

James Buchanan Duke believed in\u00a0education, so much so that upon his\u00a0death in 1925, the American Tobacco\u00a0Co. founder left half of his estate to The\u00a0Duke Endowment. The funds, which\u00a0totaled $67 million (the equivalent of\u00a0$1.2 billion\u00a0today) were\u00a0designated\u00a0to\u00a0be given to four universities \u2013 Duke\u00a0University, Davidson College, Johnson\u00a0C. Smith University and Furman University.\u00a0Duke\u2019s legacy also includes the\u00a0creation of Duke Energy, which he\u00a0and his brother, Ben, founded in the\u00a0early 1900s as Catawba Power Co. and\u00a0Southern Power Co.\u00a0The common thread throughout\u00a0his\u00a0life was philanthropy. Duke took a\u00a0particular interest in higher education, rooted in the belief that \u201ceducating\u00a0principled people in medicine, law and\u00a0other fields will\u00a0benefit\u00a0society.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the renovated Timmons Arena on Monday, August 27, 2025.<\/p><\/div>\n

Timmons Arena<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The 10,000-square-foot arena\u00a0came to life in December 1997 and\u00a0underwent extensive renovation\u00a0in 2024. Prior to the arena, the Paladins\u00a0basketball team played home\u00a0games at the old Memorial\u00a0Auditorium in Greenville.\u00a0The arena construction got a\u00a0boost in 1998 with a $4 million\u00a0donation from William R.\u00a0Timmons\u00a0Jr. \u201949, Jean Timmons\u00a0Pelham \u201942 and Charlie and\u00a0Kitty Wells\u00a0\u201948 Timmons. Charlie\u2019s\u00a0father, William R. Timmons, was\u00a0a\u00a0Class of 1914\u00a0graduate.\u00a0Furman alum Ravenel B. Curry\u00a0III \u201963 kicked off the $40 million\u00a0renovation in 2023 with a $10\u00a0million\u00a0gift, one of the largest in\u00a0Furman University history.\u00a0Keeping with their tradition of\u00a0giving, the Timmons and Pelham\u00a0families also donated toward\u00a0the renovation, honoring\u00a0their\u00a0family\u2019s original\u00a0commitment to\u00a0the\u00a0arena in 1997.\u00a0The men\u2019s and women\u2019s\u00a0basketball teams played their first\u00a0season in the renovated arena\u00a0in 2025-2026, featuring new\u00a0seating, private\u00a0suites\u00a0and a more\u00a0interactive experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Herman Lay Physical Activities\u00a0Center (PAC)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Did you know? Furman\u2019s hub for\u00a0student fitness is named for a man\u00a0who popularized snack foods in\u00a0the United States.\u00a0Ironic? Not when you consider\u00a0Herman Lay, who was born\u00a0in Charlotte, North Carolina,\u00a0attended Furman on a baseball\u00a0and\u00a0basketball\u00a0scholarship.\u00a0After college and the Great\u00a0Depression, Lay took his knack\u00a0for business into a career as a\u00a0traveling\u00a0salesman\u00a0and delivery\u00a0driver for a potato chip company.\u00a0He eventually formed his own\u00a0chip company, the H.W. Lay & Co.,\u00a0in 1932.\u00a0By 1961, the company merged\u00a0with the Frito Co., forming the\u00a0Frito-Lay Corp. \u2013 the largest\u00a0snack food company in the United\u00a0States. Eventually, Frito-Lay\u00a0merged with Pepsi-Cola to create\u00a0PepsiCo, Inc.\u00a0So, between late-night study\u00a0snacks and the PAC, Lay could\u00a0arguably be\u00a0considered one of\u00a0the most important pieces to the\u00a0Furman University legacy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hartness Admissions Center<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Hartness Admissions Center is just one space that has been touched by the generosity and spirit of Thomas and Edna Hartness. It\u2019s a fitting tribute to a couple and family that held community, adventure and outreach close to their hearts. Thomas Hartness was owner of the Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Greenville starting in 1940. He later founded Hartness International, a manufacturer of packaging equipment, which today sells products in over 100 countries, though the Hartness family sold the company in 2009. Edna Hartness was an avid naturalist and devoted herself to preserving natural spaces, working with children and promoting access to music. She sponsored a music scholarship at Furman and sponsored both the Hartness and the Gladden Quartets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hill Plaza\/The Hill Institute<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Robert and Margaret Hill have\u00a0remained\u00a0connected to Furman\u00a0even after both graduated in 1983.\u00a0The Hills have served as chairs of\u00a0the Board of Trustees and chairs\u00a0of the Richard Furman Society,\u00a0working to ensure future students\u00a0have chances for enrichment at Furman. The Hill Institute for\u00a0Innovation and Entrepreneurship\u00a0launched in 2018 and today\u00a0houses undergraduate and\u00a0graduate programs that\u00a0nourish and engage creative,\u00a0entrepreneurial ideas with\u00a0tangible learning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A

Lillian Brock Flemming ’71 M’75 H’14 speaks at the Joseph Vaughn Plaza in 2025.<\/p><\/div>\n

Joseph Vaughn Plaza<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dedicated in 2021, this space\u00a0just outside Duke Library honors\u00a0Joseph A. Vaughn, Furman\u2019s first Black undergraduate student.\u00a0Vaughn enrolled at Furman on\u00a0Jan. 29, 1965, paving the way for\u00a0an integrated university.\u00a0Vaughn grew up in Greenville\u00a0and attended Sterling High\u00a0School, also where Rev. Jesse\u00a0Jackson was a student.\u00a0Vaughn graduated cum laude in\u00a01968 with degrees in English and\u00a0French. While a student, he was\u00a0involved in the Greenville NAACP\u00a0Youth Chapters, the Southern\u00a0Student Organizing Committee,\u00a0Color\u00a0Guard\u00a0and the Baptist\u00a0Student Union. The plaza, which features\u00a0a life-size statue of Vaughn,\u00a0was dedicated as part of the\u00a0university\u2019s \u201cSeeking Abraham\u201d\u00a0initiative, which guided the way\u00a0Furman would honor,\u00a0remember\u00a0and reflect on its history with\u00a0slavery and racial injustice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel Chapel<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Constructed\u00a0in 1992, this building\u00a0is named after Charles E. Daniel.\u00a0Daniel, who founded Daniel\u00a0Construction Co. in 1934, played\u00a0a significant role in\u00a0laying\u00a0the\u00a0groundwork for South Carolina\u2019s\u00a0international business landscape. The chapel was completed thanks\u00a0to a $24.5 million donation in\u00a0memory of Charles Daniel.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Farmer Hall<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Named for Tom Farmer, a 1950\u00a0graduate of Furman. Farmer was\u00a0raised by a single mother who modeled resilience and giving back.\u00a0Over the years, Farmer funded\u00a0scholarships for Furman students\u00a0and helped finance projects like the\u00a0construction of the residence hall\u00a0that\u00a0bears his name.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clark Murphy Housing Complex<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The housing complex got its new\u00a0name as part of the university\u2019s\u00a0\u201cSeeking Abraham\u201d initiative. Clark\u00a0Murphy was an African American\u00a0groundskeeper and janitor who\u00a0documents show tended to the once\u00a0all-women\u2019s residence hall for four\u00a0decades in the late 1800s and early\u00a01900s. Records and documents\u00a0from the time\u00a0indicate\u00a0Murphy was\u00a0a beloved and integral part of the\u00a0student\u00a0experience.\u00a0As a plaque outside the complex\u00a0now\u00a0indicates, the renaming was\u00a0also\u00a0a chance to honor \u201cthe unsung\u00a0men and women who labored\u00a0throughout the long history of this\u00a0institution, and in doing so have\u00a0contributed meaningfully to the life\u00a0of this community.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Halls named after Furman presidents<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Manly Hall:<\/strong> Charles Manly, Furman\u2019s president from 1881 to 1897.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Geer Hall:<\/strong> Bennette Eugene Geer, a Furman graduate who became\u00a0the school\u2019s president in 1933.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blackwell Hall:<\/strong> Gordon Williams Blackwell \u201932, who became\u00a0Furman\u2019s eighth president in 1965. The original residence hall\u00a0was demolished in 2023 as part of a comprehensive residence hall\u00a0renovation\u00a0project. A new residence hall now bears the name.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Poteat Hall:<\/strong> Edwin McNeill Poteat, Furman\u2019s president\u00a0from\u00a01903 to 1918.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

McGlothlin Hall:<\/strong> William Joseph McGlothlin, Furman\u2019s president from 1919 to 1933.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Johns Hall:<\/strong> Named after Furman\u2019s ninth president, John E. Johns. The building was dedicated in 1998. During his\u00a0tenure (1976-1994), Furman separated from the South Carolina\u00a0Baptist Convention in 1992.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stories\u00a0exist on every corner of\u00a0Furman University\u2019s campus.\u00a0They are rooted in the Rose\u00a0Garden that adds fragrance to\u00a0campus, in the Japanese temple\u00a0that offers respite on the edge\u00a0of the lake and in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":389,"featured_media":41040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3534,17,1963,3065,65,29,18,3526,2384],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-around-the-lake-spring-2026","category-centers-and-institutes","category-furman-magazine","category-hill-institute-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship","category-institute-for-the-advancement-of-community-health","category-riley-institute","category-shi-institute-for-sustainable-communities","category-spring-2026","category-trone-center-for-mental-fitness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/389"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41930"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41930\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42331,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41930\/revisions\/42331"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}