Furman University

Greenville, SC · founded 1826 · 2,600 students · liberal arts college · Southern Conference (NCAA Division I)

Known for: Furman is a highly selective private liberal arts university known for its rigorous academics, beautiful and expansive campus with a landmark Asian-inspired garden and lake, and a strong emphasis on engaged learning and undergraduate research.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #46

Top programmes

Political Science
Chemistry
Health Sciences
Business Administration
Music
Earth and Environmental Sciences

Notable alumni

Betsy King — Hall of Fame professional golfer
Charles H. Townes — Nobel Prize-winning physicist, co-inventor of the laser
Keith Lockhart — Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra
Nikki Haley — Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor of South Carolina
Rex Tillerson — Former U.S. Secretary of State and CEO of ExxonMobil
John B. Watson — Founder of behaviorist psychology
Richard Riley — Former U.S. Secretary of Education
Sam Wyche — Former NFL head coach (Cincinnati Bengals)

Traditions

The Bell Tower chimes and senior bell ringing
Homecoming weekend with parade and concert
May Day
The Furman Engaged! symposium showcasing student research

If Furman University were…

As a food: Shrimp and grits from a Charleston country club — Southern, refined, traditional but elevated, served in a setting where everyone knows everyone's family. It's comfort food with a trust fund.
As an athlete: Davis Love III — The genteel Southern golfer—successful, respected, traditional, and the kind of guy who looks at home in khakis on a pristine course. Furman even has its own championship golf course, so the fit is literal.
As a person alive today: Reese Witherspoon — Southern charm, blonde ambition, wholesome but savvy, and built an empire on being relatable to upper-middle-class America. Both are polished, pleasant, and more strategic than they initially appear.
As a historical figure: Stonewall Jackson — A Southern icon, deeply principled, traditional, and associated with a specific regional identity. Furman has evolved beyond its conservative Baptist roots, but the Old South heritage still echoes.
As a movie or TV show: Friday Night Lights (TV series) — Small-town values, tight-knit community, athletic pride, moral earnestness, and the sense that everyone's watching everyone else. Replace Texas with South Carolina and football with a broader sports culture.
As a US president: George H.W. Bush — Patrician, polite, traditional, moderate conservative who values service and decorum. Both represent an older, gentler version of American establishment values—country club, not culture war.
As a city: Savannah, Georgia — Beautiful, Southern, historic, walkable, slightly preppy, and popular with people who want tradition without the chaos of Atlanta or the stuffiness of Charleston. Both are lovely but a bit sleepy.
As an element: Copper — Warm, conductive, traditional, and used in everything from plumbing to pennies—reliable and foundational. Furman is the dependable, warm Southern liberal arts education that connects students to opportunity.
As a car: 2010 Range Rover Sport — Upscale Southern comfort with golf-course aesthetics and trail-ready credentials. Furman's preppy campus culture, Patagonia-clad outdoorsy ethos, and traditional values mirror this refined SUV that's equally at home at t

Campus life

Campus life is vibrant and traditional, with a strong residential community, over 150 student organizations, and a significant Greek life presence. The university emphasizes a well-rounded experience blending academics, Division I athletics, and numerous cultural and outdoor activities centered around its stunning campus.