News

On Oct. 23, Furman’s English honorary, Sigma Tau Delta (STD), will be hosting their Career Planning Session. The informational session aims to expose current humanities students to options in both career planning and applying for graduate school. Furman alumni will come to speak of their own experiences and help students plan for after college.

Out of the 12 programs that Furman offers this year through various departments, exactly half of them take place in the fall.

The air is getting colder and the leaves are changing colors— fall is in full force at Furman. Among the organized chaos of classes, tests, papers and CLP’s, students are also involved in numerous extracurricular activities. The upstairs of the Trone Student Center, in room 205, houses three of these organizations: FTV, WPLS radio and Bonhomie, the yearbook.

Speaking to a capacity audience at the Younts Conference Center, Jeffrey Brown, Senior Correspondent for the flagship program NewsHour, underscored the important role that public broadcasting plays in an increasingly polarized America.

The Furman Creative Collaborative (FCC), an up and coming organization created on campus last May, is hosting Furman’s first ever TEDx conference.

Despite the ongoing construction, the Trone Student Center is open for business. Student organizations and clubs are using the newly renovated conference rooms, while many students are using the outdoor patio as a study space, thanks to its new furniture and beautiful lake view.

This year marks the creation of the Diversity Council, an organization that unites the many diverse and different groups on campus under one umbrella.

Once again, the Furman Paladins have given one of their strongest opponents of the year a run for their money. Last Saturday, Sept. 15, the football team traveled to Clemson to battle the Tigers on their own turf.

Furman moves into the future with a revamped post office and a new system for telling students that they’ve got mail.

Housing struggles continue as a Furman continues to expand its student population.

The DH has always been crowded at 12:30 lunch--is it getting worse?

Furman’s technological changes come to student life in the form of a website called OrgSync.

Furman University has taken over day to day operations of the Upcountry History Museum after finalizing an agreement with the museum on Feb. 1. The museum board will maintain ownership of the building and current exhibits. The university is now responsible for employing museum personnel and has begun the search for a new director of the museum.

Next year there will be nine more professors on campus, the first step to accommodating the growing student population. This past year, the freshman class increased in size by 80 to 90 students. The expected increase for next year’s freshman class is around 50 students.

When the 2012-2013 course catalog is released in March, students will see several new classes added to it. They will also see two new concentrations being offered to students: Film Studies and Arts Administration.

Furman University and Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) have formed a partnership that will provide scholarships for Christ Church graduating seniors to attend Furman and a tuition discount for Furman faculty and staff to send their children to Christ Church. Several Furman professors and students fear the partnership will decrease diversity and further the university’s reputation as being elitist.

Before the expected tears of joy (or sorrow) could flow, Furman’s Panhellenic Council adopted new procedures for the 2012 Sorority Recruitment process. The Council adopted the new procedures after Panhellenic Nationals recommended minor changes to Furman’s rules for attire, conduct, and recruitment.

On Jan. 21, The Greenville News ran an article entitled, “Greenville voters ‘disgusted’ with campaigning, make their choices,” describing local voters fed-up with the Republican primary. A survey created and distributed by the Paladin suggests that this general sense of discontentment may extend to Furman’s campus.

Since the spring semester began, Furman’s food service staff has been implementing changes to the dining hall. Some of these changes have been subtle, others conspicuous. Aramark Food Service Director Adam Summers said many were made in response to student feedback.

Last Thursday, January 26, Teach for America (TFA) sponsored a CLP at Furman titled “Closing the Achievement Gap in Education.” The program featured a presentation by TFA alumnus Eric Giles highlighting socioeconomic disparities within the public education system and the repercussions they have on American society.

Over winter break, Furman made minor changes to James B. Duke Library, adding two study rooms and 32 personal computers for student use.

“Furman Blood runs deep,” said Alumni Director Tom Triplitt. A Furman graduate himself, Triplitt stressed the importance of keeping Furman alumni involved with the university after they receive their degree.

After months of deliberation beginning last spring, the Steering Committee has released Furman’s newest strategic plan, Vision 2020. The plan lays out the university’s objectives for the next decade.

Mrs. Christine “Cricket” Wehunt, a Furman Dining Hall employee, passed away on September 27, 2011.

On Tuesday, October 4, the Riley Institute brought Diane Ravitch to Furman to discuss her new book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education.