Scholars at Furman engage in a variety of academic, social, and service activities during their Furman career. Beginning with time spent getting to know one another before the start of their freshmen year all the way through the graduating scholars’ luncheon, these students engage in learning and leadership opportunities and develop relationships they carry with them well beyond their time at Furman.

The Class of 2024 Scholars had a different approach to their Advantage Scholars experience. This summer’s activities included a Zoom introductory meeting with their peers followed by a quick meeting with their mentors, ongoing interactions with their mentors, and a Facebook group for them to interact with one another. Once the Class of 2024 scholars arrived on campus, they were able to come together in person for Dining with ‘Dins, a weekly dinner series held on the first six Monday evenings of the semester. Scholars ate outdoors and heard from six engaging experts on a variety of social issues.

August 24Dr. Danielle Vinson shared tips and tricks for finding reliable sources of information. The students looked at several examples and practiced determining whether sources were reliable.

August 31Dr. Kyle Longest led the scholars in exploring the challenges faced by the working poor. Students completed a budget activity in which they got a taste for just how challenging it is to support a family on minimum wage.

September 7Dr. Sally Morris Cote discussed with the scholars why prisons exist.  What is their purpose, and what should their purpose be? Do these always match?

September 14Dr. Shaniece Criss, a city council member and faculty member of the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, highlighted public health disparities and social determinants of health.

September 21Dr. Brittany Arsiniega discussed her research on policing and what the data tell us about how dangerous is it to be a cop in America.

September 28Dan Weidenbenner from Mill Village Farms discussed ways in which Mill Village programs support the Greenville community and ways students can engage in their work.

Meet the Scholars

Duke Scholars

Colin Brake, North Atlanta High School, Atlanta, GA
Samuel Dayton, Jesuit College Preparatory School, Richardson, TX
Ashley Fieber, Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy, Huntersville NC
Zane Newell, Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, UT
Denver Oliver, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Michael Peller, Raleigh Charter High School, Apex, NC
Conor Riordan, Lakeland Senior High School, Mohegan Lake, NY
Kelsey Sumter, Lower Richland High School, Hopkins SC

Hollingsworth Scholars

Nikita Arora, Riverside High School, Greenville, SC
Cameron Baird, Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville, GA
Myla Crosby, TL Hanna High School, Anderson, SC
Biruja Dahal, Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach, SC
Jane McCallum, Spring Valley High School, Blythewood, SC
James O’Connor, Blair Academy, Simpsonville, SC
Derek Rhodes, Strom Thurmond High School, Edgefield, SC
Nicole Warren, AC Flora High, Columbia, SC

Lay Scholars

Brittany Bonilla-Martinez, Legacy Early College, Easley, SC
Jayden Williams, Legacy Early College, Easley, SC

Townes Scholars

Kevin Carberry, St. Joseph Collegiate Institute, N Tonawanda, NY
Taylor Ellis, Trinity Preparatory School, Belle Isle, FL
William Foster, Roswell High School, Roswell, GA
Megan Hubbard, Nolensville High School, Brentwood, TN
Molly McCutcheon, Poolesville High School, Boyds, MD
Abby Stapleton, Eastern Mennonite School, Rockingham, VA
Devin Wallace, Worcester Preparatory School, Berlin, MD