Furman University

Furman University is the oldest, largest and most selective private institution in South Carolina. Founded in 1826, Furman moved three times in its early years before being charted as Furman University and settling in Greenville in 1850. The most recent move was in 1961, when Furman relocated to its current 800-acre location on the outskirts of Greenville.

The move to the stunning, new campus served as a catalyst for Furman’s ongoing transformation from a primarily regional college to one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the United States. Today Furman offers majors and programs in 42 subjects and is one of the select group of colleges that qualify for a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honorary society. Undergraduates come from 46 states and 31 countries.

Furman recognizes its responsibility both in and out of the classroom to encourage students and faculty to confront the problems of contemporary society and to exercise moral judgment in the use of knowledge. To this end, Furman fosters a sense of social justice and encourages civic responsibility in creating a fair and equitable order. The Latin motto of the university, Christo et Doctrinae (For Christ and Learning), underlines the interrelationship of faith and learning. The university is committed to the education of the whole person.

At Furman there’s always something going on. FUSAB (the Student Activities Board) sponsors a ton of events throughout the year, from Homecoming to movies to Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments—they’ve even welcomed Dave Mathews and Howie Day to campus.

Keep your eye on your CLP (Cultural Life Program) count. You need nine a year, or 36 before you graduate. It might sound tough, but it’s really not that hard—there are CLP events practically every week, and they can include everything from musical performances to speeches by world leaders. And we haven’t even mentioned all the events sponsored by Furman’s 168 student organizations.

Furman University is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a beautiful 700 acre campus in Greenville, South Carolina. Furman is a small, friendly campus with 2,600 undergraduates. The University has many distinguished alumni including Charles Townes, Nobel Prize winner, who invented the mazer and lazer, and Richard Riley, former Governor of South Carolina and Secretary of Education under President Clinton.

Get More Information