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Published by Furman University to provide prospective students with information about and insight into the engaged learning experience.
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engagefurmanvolume 7 | issue 2
Furman Flash Mob makes the scene
The Big Buzz for Google on Main
Mock Trial Team goes the distance
Schedule your campus visit at www.engagefurman.com/visit
or by calling 864.294.2034.
If you’re like me, you’re probably a little sad to see the summer
coming to an end. With summer comes longer days, beach
trips, lounging by the pool, or for many Furman students, it's an
opportunity to do research with a professor or pick up a class in
May Experience. Here in the Admission Office, though we will
miss the summer days, we’re also excited about new developments
that will come to fruition in the fall.
The most significant change reflects the way that Furman
approaches admission. Our application is now "test-optional"—
you don't have to submit your ACT or SAT scores when you apply
to Furman. We recognize that scores alone do not reflect your
potential for success, and we've created a number of ways to get to
know you better. For example, applicants have the opportunity to
interview with a Furman alum or parent who represents the Furman
Admission Network (FAN). You can even request an interview online
at community.furman.edu after you apply for admission, and we'll
find a FAN member in your area. We also have a new binding Early
Decision Plan and an Early Action Plan. See page 24 for all the details.
This is an exciting time to be applying for admission to Furman,
and I look forward to learning about you through your application.
I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming school year.
As always, if you get a chance to visit our campus, we would
love to host you!
Sincerely,
Brad Pochard
Associate Vice President of Admission
from the editor
Spend the day with us, and then explore Greenville. Head downtown,
cruise the shops and galleries, or enjoy some live music by the river. Spend
the night in one of our scenic downtown hotels, and grab a cup of coffee
for a morning stroll down Main Street. Find out why we love Furman and
Greenville, and see firsthand why Furman is the place for you.
visit campus
engage furmanVolume 7, Issue 2
Published by Furman Universityto provide prospective students with information about and insight into the engaged learning experience.
President Rod Smolla
Associate Vice President of AdmissionBrad Pochard
Associate Director of AdmissionJeny Bishop Kerscher Senior Assistant Directors of AdmissionTia Sullivan Lindsey WalkerLibby Weith
Assistant Director of AdmissionBartley Sides
Admission CounselorsAllyson Brown – Transfer CoordinatorMichael DostieMartha Kimmel – InternationalMelissa Mabry Joinné RuffLaura Simmons – Regional Representative, GeorgiaJake Sintich Furman University Admission 3300 Poinsett Highway Greenville, South Carolina 29613–[email protected] Fax: 864.294.2018
Furman University is committed to providing equal access to its educational programs, activities, and facilities to all otherwise qualified students without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. For information about Furman’s compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, contact the Disability Services Coordinator, 864.294.2320, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613.
engage furman 1
departments
16
2 Ask the Ambassadors3 News and Notes
23 Admission Advice24 Furman Facts
18 8
table of contents
Sparking LitsembaShannon Cantwell ’11 rallies student-athletes
to help children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.
And the Verdict is in . . .Furman’s Mock Trial team sets
a precedent for success.
Buzz WorthyAaron von Frank ’00 spreads great ideas
through word-of-mouth marketing.
Cracking the CaseProfessor Victoria Turgeon engages undergrads
in groundbreaking research.
Serving it up with a SmileFurman Dining Services serves up more
than just good food.
12
16
18
22
features8
on the cover
Furman Flash MobStudents rally together just for the fun of it,
mobbing Reedy Falls downtown. See page 3.
2 engage furman
Admission Ambassadors (left to right)
Katie Smithgall ’14, Bozeman, Montana
Parth Thakker ’12, Columbia, South Carolina
Keda DuBard ’14, Columbia, South Carolina
George Mabry ’13, Richmond, Virginia
What does "test optional" mean?
Keda: Test optional means applicants
have the option of submitting
standardized test scores. Furman
has a test optional application.
Katie: Test optional schools don’t
require SAT or ACT scores as a primary
determinant for admission. Yet, if you
do well, you may choose to submit
your scores as another indicator of your
academic performance.
Parth: The option can be beneficial to
many students who don't think their
standardized test scores accurately reflect
their intelligence and/or capabilities.
Many universities have become test
optional, choosing instead to consider
other factors such as grade point average,
extracurricular involvement, writing ability,
and recommendations when determining
the admission decision.
What about the Early Action decision plan?
Katie: Early Action is different from
Early Decision in that it is non-binding.
It signifies your high level of interest in
a school which, given your acceptance,
you would most likely attend. If Furman
is in your top three or four choices for
attending college, I suggest applying
Early Action because you will receive
your admission decision sooner than if
you apply Regular Decision.
George: If Furman is one of your top
choices for college but your decision to
attend is dependent upon merit-based
scholarships, I recommend applying Early
Action. You will learn of your admission
decision sooner than Regular Decision,
but you still have time to find out about
these scholarships before your Statement
of Intent is due on May 1.
Parth: Early Action allows you to apply
earlier than traditional Regular Decision.
It is a non-binding application; you can
apply to several schools with the Early
Action plan and still have plenty of time to
make a final decision.
I really want to come to Furman, so should I apply Early Decision?
Katie: Applying Early Decision indicates
you will absolutely attend Furman if
admitted. It’s a fantastic way to complete
the tedious college process and know
where you’re going before many of your
friends even submit applications!
George: Applying Early Decision indicates
that you will definitely come here if
admitted, not contingent upon any merit-
based scholarships (notification of these
isn’t until April 1), and your Statement of
Intent for Early Decision is due January 5.
You'll be notified of Special Recognition
scholarships and financial aid by December 15.
Parth: Early Decision, in contrast to Early
Action, is binding. If you apply to Furman
Early Decision and are admitted, then you
must withdraw any other applications to
other institutions and enroll at Furman.
If you are absolutely sure you want to
attend Furman and your decision is not
contingent upon merit-based scholarships,
then apply Early Decision.
Have a burning question about Furman? Visit www.engagefurman.com or
write to [email protected].
One of our ambassadors will send you
a personal response, and we might print
it in the next issue of Engage Furman!
ask the ambassadors
news and notes
engage furmanwatch video at engagefurman.com/video 3
On the evening of April 30, more than 200 Furman
students came together at Falls Park in downtown
Greenville for the Furman Flash Mob. As the sea of
purple materialized, Furman president Rod Smolla and
the Paladin mascot joined the mob dancing to Cee-Lo
Green’s “Forget You.” Mesmerized bystanders couldn’t
help but sing along. The event was coordinated by
seniors Dan Weidenbenner and Julianna Battenfield.
See the video at engagefurman.com/video.
Descends on Downtown
Furman president Rod Smolla’s latest
book, The Constitution Goes to College:
Five Constitutional Ideas That Have
Shaped the American University,
examines the constitutional principles
and ideas that have shaped American
higher education. Drawing on
landmark cases and conflicts played
out on college campuses, Smolla demonstrates how
five key constitutional ideas—the living Constitution,
the division between public and private spheres, the
distinction between rights and privileges, ordered
liberty, and equality—are not only contested on college
campuses, but also dominate the shape and identity of
American university life.
One of America’s foremost experts on freedom of
speech, academic freedom, and freedom of the press,
President Smolla is a frequent media commentator and
author of numerous books, including Deliberate Intent:
A Lawyer Tells the True Story of Murder by the Book,
Free Speech in an Open Society, and Jerry Falwell v. Larry
Flynt: The First Amendment on Trial.
Smolla'S book examineS the ConStitution and College
Baker Rides to VictoryAndy Baker ’12 (Easley, SC) rode his way to victory in the
USA Cycling Division II National Collegiate Championships in
Madison, WI, on May 7. Nearly 500 bikers from more than 100
universities competed in the 74-mile-long road course known
for its grueling hills.
For the weekend, the Furman team finished thirteenth in the
Division II category of the competition while Baker finished
fourth individually. The complete results are posted on
usacycling.org.
Following his victory, Baker, who has
been biking since the age of 12,
competed in the US Professional
Road and Time Trial National
Championships in Greenville, SC.
Expanded video content is online wherever you see this video icon. Log on to the Engage Community at engagefurman.com/video to view.
4 engage furman
SouthweSt AirlineSlAndS in Greenville
Southwest Airlines recently announced that it
will provide service to the Greenville-Spartanburg
International Airport, giving travelers access to
direct flights to Chicago, Orlando, Baltimore,
Houston, and Nashville.
Furman received a personal visit from David Ridley,
Southwest's senior vice president and marketing
officer, who spoke to students about the airline's
strategies for success in a challenging market.
“Life is not about business, it’s about people,” said
Ridley. Southwest Airlines is the largest air company
in American commerce, success that Ridley
attributes to the company’s strong foundation of
six "LUV lessons," built around the core values of
the golden rule—establish an identity, work hard,
manage time efficiently, exceed expectations,
encourage others, and always have fun.
Heineken/Taxi MagicCampaign Wins an Effie
A team of three Furman students won the 2011 Effie National
Collegiate Competition for their efforts in developing a public
service announcement campaign to help Heineken USA promote
its relationship with Taxi Magic, a smart phone application that
allows consumers to book, track, and pay for taxi service.
Stacey Bragg ’11 (Belcamp, MD), Amanda Quinton ’11
(Thomasville, GA), and Sara Sanders ’11 (Byron, GA) created
a campaign that, according to Heineken, was to encourage
“consumers to learn, understand, download, and use the Taxi
Magic app as an innovative option to avoid drinking and driving.”
The project was part of Furman business professor Robert
Underwood’s (below left) Integrated Marketing Communications
class. Students in teams of three worked almost three months on
the strategic development of either the Heineken/Taxi Magic App
campaign or an integrated brand campaign for MINI’s new vehicle,
the Countryman. For the latter campaign, three groups from
Underwood’s class made it to the top six in the country.
Student groups from Furman and Iowa State University were
selected as finalists, and each group presented campaigns to
Heineken USA executives in New York City May 2. The Furman
group received a $3,000 first prize.
SiGn up online for your AdmiSSion interview!We highly encourage applicants to participate
in a Furman Admission Network (FAN)
Interview with a Furman alumni or parent representative. Join the Furman community at engagefurman.com. Keep an eye out on your homepage for upcoming information about how to sign up for a FAN interview.
Sign up!
engage furman 5watch video at engagefurman.com/video
news and notes
For the first time in Furman history, the
Furman club baseball team made it to
the Division II Club Baseball World Series.
By winning the number one spot in
the Division IV Regional Championship
tournament, the team earned the right
to play in the Series held in Johnstown,
PA, May 20–24. Featuring teams from
eight different districts around the
country, the tournament pitched the Paladins up against the University
of Wisconsin, a contest that ended in Furman’s defeat.
Yet with a season’s record of 16-3, the team has proven their ability
to perform well, defeating larger schools like the University of South
Carolina and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and making play-
offs for the first time in university history.
Club Baseball Goes to Nationals
For the second
consecutive year,
Furman has been
recognized as one
of the nation’s most
environmentally
responsible colleges
with its inclusion in the 2011 edition of the
Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges.
According to the Princeton Review, the guide,
produced in partnership with the U.S. Green
Building Council, profiles 311 colleges and
universities that have demonstrated a “notable
commitment to sustainability.”
“Let’s create an event where they can stroll for us,” was the idea behind Alpha
Kappa Alpha’s strolling competition, says vice president Jasmine Sanders ’11
(Longview, TX). Strolling is a distinctive style of dance involving synchronized
movement and forward motion of dancers assembled in a straight line.
Most strolling events on college campuses are sponsored by historically black Greek
organizations (of which there are three on campus), but Furman's AKA opened the
event to all Greeks. Dances were judged on precision, creativity, uniformity, and
musical selection, as well as AKA praise.
Furman's first strolling competition was held in 2009 and was awarded the
Boundary-Breaker Award for bringing together diverse groups on campus. Since
then, the event has grown tremendously, with 18 teams representing 10 groups
competing this year.
So You Think You Can
16-3 record!
Expanded video content is online wherever you see this video icon. Log on to the Engage Community at engagefurman.com/video to view.
6 engage furman
CampusGrotto.com named the James B. Duke Library one of the top 50 “Most Beautiful College Libraries” in the nation. Furman is ranked No. 46 in the list, which includes libraries at Harvard, Yale, Emory, Duke, and Wake Forest. In compiling the list, the website says it looked “at some of the most magnificent university libraries across the country” and that “one must visit these libraries in person to get the true feeling of inspiration that these buildings provide.”
CampusGrotto.com is a national college news website that covers a wide range of college-related topics, including student finance, study tips, college admission, college rankings, career advice, and college life.
k i C k S f o r a C a u S e
Library Ranked among Most Beautiful
Make connections, post video and photos, have real-time conversations, write a blog, or join a group of individuals with similar interests on Furman's online community. Get started at engagefurman.com.
[ G e t C o n n e C t e d ]
tweet muCh?Check out Furman’s Twitter Accounts!@FUAdmission@Furmannews@FurmanPaladins
the furman community
In January of 2010, Furman’s soccer program put together the first soccer extravaganza to raise money for earthquake victims in Haiti. This year, in response to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the team brought back the extravaganza and raised almost $4000 to aid the American Red Cross in its relief effort. Coach Doug Allison organized and promoted the “Furman Reaching Out to Japan Soccer Extravaganza” held on April 15 at Furman’s Stone Stadium. Students, faculty, and staff took to the pitch for a six-hour soccer marathon. President Rod Smolla got in on the friendly competition, joining staff for a noon match.
“Hopefully this event will give everyone a chance to meet and connect with others on campus and provide an opportunity for the Furman family and Greenville community to reach out to those in need,” said Coach Allison.
Get the Furman app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad now available FREE on iTunes or at the App Store. Use it to access photos and video, an interactive map, and even a
virtual campus tour. Want to see more on Engage news and features? Use the app, or check out videos online at engagefurman.com/video.
FU
friend uS!Add us on Facebook. Search for Furman University to find us.
news and notes
engage furman 7watch video at engagefurman.com/video
For two weeks this summer, 24 high school students from all
over the United States lived on Furman's campus, speaking
only Chinese from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The STARTALK Chinese Language Camp for high school students
is part of the National Security Language Initiative to expand
and improve teaching and learning of strategically important
world languages not widely taught in the United States.
During this intensive camp, students studied with Chinese
language teachers from China and bilingual camp counselors
from Furman’s Asian Studies Department. Students were also
able to experience Chinese culture through cooking, Tai Chi,
traditional dances and games.
To learn more about STARTALK, contact Melissa Hammer in
Furman’s Asian Studies Department at 864.294.2878.
furmAn hoStS Summer ChineSe lAnGuAGe CAmp
As another academic year drew to a close, a group
of daring seniors blew up their floats, put on their
suits, and slipped on the swimmies for a romp in the
Furman fountain. The origin of this longstanding
Furman tradition is a mystery, but a must for seniors
celebrating the last glorious days before graduation.
Senior floAt
A Touch of Scotland Comes to CampusOn May 28, Furman hosted the Greenville Scottish Games for the sixth year in a row. The
event brought over 20,000 visitors to campus for Highland dancing, classic Scottish athletic
competition, pipe bands, and border collies.
By Shannon Cantwell ’11
8 engage furman
engage furman 9
continued p.10
CAutIoN, rouGH roAD AHEADRecognizing limitations imposed by
stifling poverty and a generation lost
to AIDS, our Furman team had no
delusions to save Swaziland where life
expectancy is a mere 48 years. Rather,
we sought to apply our talents to the
best of our collective ability. As Mother
Theresa said, “I can do no great things,
only small things with great love.” Fully
aware of the plight ahead of us yet still
encouraged, we journeyed 46 hours to
the AIDS-scarred country knowing our
two-week service stint would profoundly
affect each of us even more than the displaced children we
sought to serve.
Serving at an orphanage in Swaziland three years
ago was life-altering enough for me, but returning to the
country with four other Furman student-athletes was even
more humbling and gratifying. It confirmed how we as
Furman athletes can use our talents for purposes far greater
than winning in college sports—helping impoverished and
marginalized African children win small victories in the course
of life. We set our sights not only on sharing our sports with
the children, but also on acting as role models, and dishing
out lots of encouragement and love in the process.
StAGGErING StAtIStICSA country about the size of New Jersey,
Swaziland has 100,000 orphan children
out of a total population of approximately
1.3 million. Most of the orphaned are
without parents due to the prevalence of
HIV/AIDS among adults—26 percent—the
highest rate in the world according to 2009
estimates from the CIA.
DoING WHAt WE Do BEStRefusing to become discouraged by the
dire statistics, David, Ben, Jessica, Raul,
and I gave what we could. We engaged
each child in soccer, football, running, baseball, golf, and
basketball. We began each day with four or more children
clinging to every limb, and we ended the day in much the
same way. In between, we gave them all the love, attention,
and energy we could possibly muster in the 14 days we
were there.
On top of team-building and playing sports with the
children, we built an outdoor cooking shelter, distributed
blankets and clothing to the young and elderly, visited Gogos
(SiSwati for grandmothers), and hosted a cookout for more
than 200 children in the newly built shelter. We also led two
Bible studies in a nation where Christianity thrives.
the native language of Swaziland, a tiny landlocked sub-Saharan African country ravaged by AIDS. After interning in Swaziland two summers ago with the financial support of a Furman fellowship, I returned during summer 2010 with four other Furman varsity athletes: David Barrington ’11 (Montgomery, AL), Benjamin Granger ’12 (Athens, GA), Jessica Pate ’13 (Holmes Beach, FL) and Raul Rodriguez ’13 (St. Ann, MO). By using our athletic gifts, we sought to bring hope to children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic.
tAKING A SMALL BItE out oF PoVErtyOur Furman team of athletes attempted, in a very small way,
to lessen the sting of poverty in Swaziland. In 2009, I created
Athletes for Africa, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated
to assisting orphaned African children while raising athletes’
awareness about poverty. As a Furman varsity runner, I know
how strong the spirit of teamwork and competition is among
athletes, so my goal was to harness those qualities to benefit
these kids. Although only five Furman athletes could personally
make the trip to Swaziland, dozens more were symbolically
represented. We delivered a sizable collection of balls and bats
with more than 300 Furman athletes’ names inscribed on them.
CrEAtIVE FuNDrAISINGFundraising for the trip was challenging during a global recession,
which called for plenty of creativity. I organized Furman events
including a “Driving out Pover(tee)” golf tournament, dodge
ball, and athlete date auction. Twelve other Furman students
organized their own sophomore service projects around Athletes
for Africa events—a 5K run, flag-football, and soccer camp. Even
in tight economic conditions, Athletes for Africa was successful in
partnering with the Emirates Airline Foundation and a supportive
Furman community to fund its inaugural service trip to Swaziland.
We traveled to Swaziland with the goal of sparking a flame
of “hope” in the orphans we served. Instead, the children ignited
a powerful “litsemba” in each of us, creating a renewed desire
to serve.
10 engage furman
For more information about Athletes for Africa, go to www.athletes4africa.net.
rEPEAt PErForMANCEInspired by young ones who smile even in the face of great loss
and encouraged by support from the Emirates Foundation and
local community, I found it easy to remain optimistic about a
return trip in 2011.
For the 2011 service trip back to Africa, Athletes for Africa
secured funding for six athletes and expanded the effort to
include any Division I athlete in the Southern Conference. In
addition to myself, this year’s team includes Francis Dineen ’11,
Wofford College (soccer), Miriam DuBose ’13, Georgia Southern
(basketball), Mary Mickelsen ’14, Furman (cross country),
Elle Ross ’14, Furman (volleyball), and Kathleen Woods ’14,
Wofford College (track and field thrower).
This summer we plan to introduce an HIV/AIDS prevention
component to last year’s program of sports training and field day
activities. The children will play age-appropriate games designed
to teach them about the disease and how to prevent its spread.
For the foreseeable future, I plan to continue the program as long
as there are student athletes willing to serve orphaned African
children. I’m convinced that even college students can make a
tangible difference in the lives of those who are hurting.
The author graduated Furman summa cum laude in May 2011 and interned for Senators Shelby (AL) and Graham (SC) the summer following. She will attend graduate school at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, as a 2011–12 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar where she will earn her MSc. in international development.
engage furman 11
by Tina T. Underwood
12 engage furman
Mock Trial s TudenTs Take The s Tand
Katherine Martin '14, Emily Westberry '11, Emily Jeske '14, Sarah Jennings '12, Andrew Mueller '14, Kathleen Wade '12, Caley DeGroote '14, and Morgan Bridgman '12 celebrate a first place finish in the Ney National Mock Trial Tournament held on the Furman campus.
engage furman 13
The mock trial pre-season is launched in the fall with about a
dozen U.S. invitational tournaments—a proving ground for the
regional season beginning in February. After solid performances
during invitationals and regional tournaments in Orlando and
Chapel Hill, Furman advanced to the opening rounds of the
national championship held on its home turf (The Ney National).
Furman’s legal beagles finished in first place—earning the
Paladins their 15th consecutive berth in the national finals in
Des Moines, IA.
At the championship finals, Furman fell short of its usual
performance with only two and a half wins out of eight. But
Furman mock trialers nonetheless scored big for having made
the finals in the company of powerhouses like UCLA who won
against defending champion NYU.
Throughout the pre-season, Furman teams faced off against
elite teams from Stanford, Miami, Virginia, UCLA, Texas, Duke,
Georgia, South Carolina, and Harvard among others, and
finished in the top five on several occasions. In many of those
finishes, young rookie teams from Furman were pitted against
more seasoned teams from other universities.
Broadway, the silver screen, the small screen or, while we’re at it, Furman’s accomplished theater Arts Department aren’t the only places
you’ll see drama unfold. Furman’s mock trial team spends the better part of the academic year staging its own performances at venues all over the country. Lead roles include plaintiff and defense attorneys with a strong supporting cast of witnesses.
continued p.14
The production begins with a singular, weighty volume of
paper issued to collegiate teams everywhere—the case file
prepared each year by the American Mock Trial Association.
From this file, student attorneys craft opening statements,
examinations, and closing arguments, while witnesses fashion
testimonies. Sure, some lines can be memorized, but for the
most part, the gift of improvisation is key to success. Because
the team argues both sides of the case, the cast members
portray multiple roles. A sample mock trial exchange might
go something like this:
Defense Attorney: Dr. Tuchmont, in 2003 you nearly lost
your medical license?
Plaintiff Attorney: Objection, your honor! Under rule 404
this is improper character evidence. Opposing counsel is trying
to show the jury that because Dr. Tuchmont made a mistake
in the past and almost lost his license, he must have made a
mistake in his conclusions for today's case.
Defense Attorney: Your honor, I am not using this to show
propensity, rather I am attacking the credibility of the only
expert the Plaintiff is offering in today's case. Under rule 702,
the credibility of an expert's testing methods and ability to get
reliable results is admissible.
Judge: Objection overruled.
Defense Attorney: I'll repeat the question. In 2003 you
nearly lost your medical license?
Dr. tuchmont: I did.
Defense Attorney: This was due to a false conclusion that
you presented in a court of law?
Dr. tuchmont: It was.
14 engage furman
So what does it take to advance from a field of 620 teams at
the regional level to one of 48 heavy hitting teams competing in
the finals? Making it all the way to the Holy Grail of mock trial is
no small feat and requires extraordinary students, coaches,
and faculty leadership.
Mock trial mentor and coach Brad Rustin ’03, an associate of
prominent national law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough,
says the most successful faux witnesses fit one of two molds:
1) the brainiac who can’t be stumped on the stand, or 2) the
person who can morph into any character on command. For both
attorney and witness roles, Rustin says the art of ad lib is a must,
“You thrive on being the center of attention, and you basically
like to hear yourself talk,” he explains.
Possessing the right personality is just part of the equation for
performing well in mock trial. With the amount of travel and
time involved in learning the rules of law, the case, and witness/
attorney roles, it’s no surprise that mock trial students must also
seek creative ways to manage time.
“Preparation is ridiculous,” says Katherine Martin ’14
(Snellville, GA). “We meet at least three times a week, five times
a week when preparing for big tournaments like regionals and
nationals.” Morgan Bridgman ’12 (Roswell, GA), team leader and
winner of a “best attorney” award at the national championships,
says in the weeks prior to tournaments, students are expected
to have pressed ahead in school work to devote as many as four
hours of practice each day along with outside preparation.
But with long hours come rewards. “It’s a great feeling to see
the final product of all our hours of hard work, says Bridgman. “At
each tournament our performance was cleaner and more engaging
than the one before. We had a very young and inexperienced team
this year; I saw our team members blossom from unsure witnesses
to top-ranked witnesses in the country. Our attorneys started off
nervous, all of us fairly new at being attorneys, and from there
we went on to win countless awards as our knowledge and
confidence grew,” she says.
Apart from the confidence garnered from going up against schools
often more than five times the size of Furman and winning many
of those battles, Furman mock trialers gain a decided edge in
graduate school, and they secure career insights, skills, and friends
—rewards that don’t tarnish over time.
Just one benefit of the mock trial experience is how it prepares
students for what lies ahead. Bridgman says, “If I can handle
Furman’s workload and a demanding role on the team, I believe
I’m prepared to tackle the busy schedule that law or grad school
will give me. It looks great on a law school application to show I
was engaged in an activity in which I voluntarily did more academic
work than my Furman course load was already giving me.”
Rustin says mock trial offers a preview into the practice of
law, what type of law to focus on, and whether to even pursue the
field. “About half the time students decide law school is not the
right choice for them; the other half really falls in love with it.”
Clearly, the ability to think on your feet is a quality honed by
mock trial. Ricky Davis ’14 (Kennesaw, GA) believes it also
“teaches communication and reasoning skills applicable
in different settings.”
Adapting to an ever-changing scenario in real time is
the hallmark of a skilled team member, says Rustin. “The
competition comes down to who can best deal with situations
thrown at them in a live setting. That’s the most difficult aspect
of mock trial, because you can’t simply memorize or work off a
script. At the national championship level, witnesses are never
going to say what you expect them to say, and you’ve got to
immediately adapt on the fly.”
Tight relationships are a natural byproduct of the practice
and travel schedule, and who better to decompress with than
close-knit teammates, coaches, and sponsors? Exhausted from
marathon practice sessions, scrimmages, and travel, Furman
mock trialers and coaches were treated to a much deserved
respite at the family farm of team administrator and political
science professor Glen Halva-Neubauer (affectionately known
as “HN”) 70 miles north of Des Moines.
Bridgman says unwinding by running around the corn and
soybean farm was a great team bonding experience. “Watching
my coaches dive from rafters into mountains of hay and rolling
to the bottom was hysterical!” she recounts.
Sarah Jennings ’12 (Littleton, CO), one of two witnesses
snagging a perfect score (20) at the opening round
championships, says the time commitment for mock trial is
significant but manageable, and the investment is well worth
the return. “It involves a lot of time and a lot of work," she
says, "but you get so much out of it and you’re with the people
you love.”
Now who would object to that?
engage furman 15
AMtA: American Mock Trial Association, governing body
for undergraduate mock trial
AMtA president-elect: Glen Halva-Neubauer, director,
Mock Trial and Public Service Internship Program at
Furman
2010–2011 AMtA civil case: Davis v. Happyland Toy
Company. Plaintiff’s burden of proof is to find Happyland
negligent for using toxic agent in beads which caused the
death of a young boy who ingested them.
tournament format: Two opposing teams compete
in four trials. Each team presents both sides of the case
with two ballots at stake per trial for a total of eight
possible ballots.
team size: 6–10 students
Judging: Conducted by actual attorneys and sometimes
practicing judges. Using a 10-point scale, judges award
ballots to individual mock witnesses and attorneys. Points
are won based on how well evidence is presented, how
skillfully witnesses and attorneys respond to opposing
counsel, appropriate use of objections, and knowledge of
the law and so on.
For MorE INForMAtIoN ABout FurMAN MoCK trIAL Go to WWW.FurMANMoCKtrIAL.orG.
The event, known as Google on Main, came together
in less than two weeks and drew crowds of more than 2,000
people. Time, resources, and money were limited, and Von
Frank really took the plunge when he took the lead on
the project. “I guess I was the only one in the room stupid
enough to raise my hand,” he said of volunteering to handle
the event.
The glowing letters served as Greenville’s bid for
Google’s experimental, super high-speed fiber optics network,
to be installed in one lucky American city. In the end,
Greenville was not that city (Topeka, KS, stole the show when
they officially renamed the city “Google”), but according to
Von Frank, all was not lost.
“We knew from the beginning that Greenville was not
going to be the most cost-effective city for the Google Fiber
experiment, but we wanted to go big anyway and still do
something positive for the community,” he said. “I think we
accomplished that."
Flash back 11 years and the younger, collegiate version
of Von Frank probably would not have predicted that this
is where his life would lead him a decade later. Then again,
where he is right now professionally—running his own
business with fiancé Susan Sebotnick, planning sold-out
conferences, and kick-starting guerilla events with limited
16 engage furman
On the evening of March 20, 2010, one might expect to have found Aaron Von Frank, Class of 2000, either hard at work or fast asleep gearing up for the inaugural
TEDxGreenville conference, which he and other area business leaders were putting the finishing touches on in the final week leading up to what would be a sold-out event. Instead, the 32-year-old entrepreneur was herding thousands of glow stick-wielding civilians through the darkness and the rolling hills of Falls Park to spell out an unmistakable incandescent message that would be seen around the world. There in the park in perfectly legible primary colors read the word “Google.”
Buzz Worthy
By Katie Levans ’07
time and resources—may very well not have been an option for
the political science student at the time.
“I’m not sure I was fully sentient when I was 22 years old
and was much less capable of charting out my exact career path
in a world where new industries are created and old industries
are upended seemingly on a daily basis,” he says. “Ten years ago,
I don’t know if I could have possibly charted out or even known
about what I do right now.”
Even now, what exactly it is that he does isn’t always so easy
to explain. As the official “Cat Herder”—his words, not ours—at
Bit Tyrant, a boutique PR and brand development agency that he
runs with Sebotnick in Greenville,
Von Frank manages brand strategy
and word-of-mouth (WOM)
marketing for companies that
“make their communities—and
the world—better.”
Though Von Frank didn’t
study WOM, brand strategy, or how to organize 2,000 people into
a glowing message in less than two weeks in his political science
curriculum while at Furman, he says his liberal arts education was
an invaluable step in getting to where he is now.
“It helped give me the capacity to better figure myself
out, figure out the world, and create the type of entrepreneurial
existence and occupation that is a good match for who I am,” he
says. “If you aren’t quite sure who you are or what you want out
of life, or you plan to go on to get an advanced degree, then I
think you can get exposure to more of the world at a liberal arts
institution, especially one as good as Furman, than just about
anywhere else.”
Though Google on Main didn’t help Greenville win the bid
for super high-speed Internet access, the other project Von Frank
was working on the same week, TEDxGreenville 2010, opened to
a sold-out crowd and was met with rave reviews.
“One of the comments that I really liked about
TEDxGreenville 2010,” he says, “was something to the effect of
‘TEDxGreenville was like turning over a rock in my back yard and
finding a gold coin. It made me
realize that there is a whole new
generation of people that I don't
know who are already here taking
Greenville to the next level.’”
Aaron Von Frank is, without
a doubt, one of those people
leading Greenville to the next level
even though he may have had different plans while at Furman.
“The career choice you make when you’re 22 is not necessarily
going to dictate who and what you are at 32,” he says.
His advice for new students entering college is this:"Don’t
just bury yourself in the books. Make sure to travel, be a part
of the community, get outdoors, develop your capacity for
leadership. Be an intern in fields that you think might interest you
to get hands-on experience. Use the next four years to become a
better human being while understanding that your education is
not going to end when you graduate; it’s going to begin.”
engage furman 17
Furman alum creates a positive buzz with word-of-mouth marketing
Go to WWW.tEDxGrEENVILLE.orG to LEArN MorE ABout tEDxGrEENVILLE EVENtS.
"Don’t just bury yourself in the books. Make sure to travel, be a part of the community, get outdoors, develop your capacity for leadership."
By Ron Wagner
18 engage furman
C r A C k i n G
t h e
C A S e
reSeArCherS CAn Go throuGh A CASe of eGGS before
diSCoverinG A lArGe enouGh And viAble ChiCk embryo
for SpinAl Cord diSSeCtion reSeArCh.
furman biology professor Victoria Turgeon believes that
science doesn't have to be scary, and doing research
shouldn't wait until the graduate level.“Some of my
friends in graduate school were terrified of particular classes
because the professors had this idea that only the elite should
do well, so they only taught to straight-A students. The students
who needed some help were out of luck."
“It’s not my job to weed you out. It’s my job to help
everyone in the class have a good understanding of the
concepts so they can enlighten other people.”
That philosophy has been music
to the ears of many a Furman
undergraduate since Turgeon joined
the faculty in 1998, and in recent
years it has also earned the West
Virginia native attention
in academic circles. Accolades include
the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Award
presented by South Carolina Independent
Colleges and Universities, the 2010 Alester
G. Furman, Jr., and Janie Earle Furman Award for
Meritorious Teaching, and the 2009 Howard Hughes
Medical Institute Distinguished Mentor Award, but
listening to Turgeon’s students is to truly understand what
sets her apart.
“She cares about us. I’m somebody who likes to be led step
by step when I’m first doing something because I’m so horrified
of making a mistake, but she’s so patient with me. And it takes
somebody very special to be patient with me,” Kayla Bingham, a
rising sophomore from Columbia, SC, says. “She just takes
the time.”
The first member of her family to attend college,
Turgeon earned a PhD in neurobiology and
anatomy at Wake Forest University and faced the
same decisions that most people in that situation
face: She could continue to dedicate her life to
personal research into spinal cord injuries and
neurodegenerative diseases, or she could bring
others along for the ride. “My biggest science class
was 20 people, and my professors knew me so well
and they knew how to connect with every student
in the room,” Turgeon says. “When I was thinking
about what I wanted to do with my PhD, I thought,
‘I want to be like that. I want to have those experiences with
my students.’”
Specifically, undergraduate students. “I love undergraduates.
They just have more enthusiasm. They’re not jaded; they’re
excited and they’re impressionable,” she says. “They give you so
much more, whereas a lot of times graduate students only want
engage furman 19
continued p.20
viCtoriA turGeon’S
hhmi underGrAdS turn out
reAl SpinAl Cord injury And
neurodeGenerAtive
diSeASe reSeArCh
Professor Turgeon explains to students Kayla Bingham
and Simone Dixon the characteristics found in this chick
embryo that make it a good candidate for research.
Chick embryo as seen under the powerful Leica,
compound dissecting microscope.
to focus on their one little project, and there’s a higher level of
competition, which I don’t think fosters creativity. Plus, I really
love to be in the classroom. That’s what my research is—an
extension of teaching.”
Bingham and classmate Simone Dixon (Greenville, SC)
were chosen to participate in this summer’s Howard Hughes
Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellows Program.
In conjunction with a local company called Kiyatec, they will
be attempting to create a revolutionary three-dimensional
culture system for growing spinal cord cells that will allow
them and others to study the mechanism behind the
activation of the protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) in a
new way. This activation is thought to be a key cause of adult
degenerative diseases.
“We haven’t really come
up with a definite hypothesis
yet, so it would be bad
practice for us to say ‘this is
what I’m looking for,’” Dixon
says. “I’ve never done research
before, but that’s the reason I
came to Furman. I knew that
I wasn’t going to be fighting
it out with graduate students,
and I knew that my teachers
weren’t going to be teaching
assistants but people who
actually had their degrees.”
She and Bingham will
earn two credit hours as well as
receive a healthy stipend as they do
their work as HHMI fellows, but the
experience is what really matters to
them both.
“I love lab research. I learn better visually, so I
like being in an environment where whatever you’re learning
has an application and a purpose,” Bingham says. “I went to a
science-based high school, and when I was applying for college
I knew that I wanted to do undergraduate research, so I looked
specifically at colleges that offered it.”
Indeed, while Furman’s reputation is still largely based
on its reputation in the liberal arts, the science programs
have quietly been earning respect of their own. The recently
renovated Townes Center offers state-of-the-art facilities,
and a research project requirement for graduation highlights
unusual opportunities in that area for students still working
on four-year degrees.
Consensus on campus is that Turgeon is the person to
see if you want to get in on the action, and she doesn’t deny
it. “I can’t say no to these poor, sad little faces that come up
to me and say ‘we would like to do research,’” she says with a
laugh. “It’s typical to have two to three research students each
summer, and I usually take five to ten. I like to get students
who are young and really interested in research early
on and then keep them for several years, and I think
that’s probably where I’ve been unique is that most
of my students spend more than just three months
over the summer doing research. They continue
over the year and then want to come back the
next summer.”
Of course, that is another testament
to Turgeon’s ability to inspire. “When I
interviewed with Dr. Turgeon, she was just so
outstanding. She hit every nail on the head,”
Bingham says. “It’s an ongoing joke that she
20 engage furman
Bingham cultures Schwann cells using a typical cell
culture system. She will then use a 3D culture system
which was developed by a local biotech company Kiyatech.
cries at each graduation for all of her research students,
because when you go in the lab she wants you to come
back, and she makes your experience memorable. She
could be whipping out research like nobody’s business.
She’s a genius. But she doesn’t do that. She lets us help her
make the discoveries, and that lets us learn. It’s so unique.”
The limited amount of time undergraduates can
spend on any one project necessarily puts limits on the
scope of work possible, but Turgeon is patient as her
students slowly build on what she calls her “patchwork.”
Furman also recently became part of the peer-review
process for Impulse, a neuroscience journal targeting
undergraduate research.
“We’re not publishing earth-shattering Science and
Nature kinds of papers, but that’s OK. We’re addressing
each hypothesis as we go along, and we’re building
up information, and we’re sharing it with the scientific
community, which is what science is all about,” Turgeon
says. “That’s what keeps me here. My students are fun,
and they’re interesting, and they’re passionate about what
they do. You don’t get that at every school.”
Turgeon recently became Bingham’s adviser, and
while Bingham is still set on becoming a dermatologist,
she has come to realize that she shouldn’t underestimate
Turgeon’s ability to influence.
“Right now I know what I want to do,
but Dr. Turgeon says she has a history of changing people
who want to go to medical school to PhDs instead, so we’ll
see,” Bingham says with a smile. “I have four years.”
engage furman 21
"...She Could be whippinG out reSeArCh like
nobody’S buSineSS...but She doeSn’t do thAt.
She letS uS help her mAke the diSCoverieS..."
Bingham (left) and Dixon earn two credit hours and a
stipend for their work in the lab this summer.
to VIEW VIDEo oF StuDENtS AND FACuLty DESCrIBING tHEIr SuMMEr rESEArCH, Go to ENGAGEFurMAN.CoM/VIDEo.
By Katie Levans ’07
22 engage furman
There are a lot of on-campus dining options for Furman
students. They can choose from a variety of stations in
the Dining Hall (or the "DH" as students refer to it), from
hearty home-style cooking to a seemingly never-ending salad bar.
If they're in a hurry, they can drop by Einstein's Bagels or pick up
familiar fast food and quick grab-and-go options in the Paladen.
But students quickly find out that meals at Furman are not
just about eating. It's a time to hang out, catch up with friends,
avoid studying, and simply feel "at home." When they head
through the lines, they find staff like Richard Enloe, who makes it
a point to learn as many students' names as possible. He's proud
to say he's on a first-name basis with almost all of the 2,400
meal plan participants.
Or the women who staff the home-style station and
dispense love and laughter along with good food. “I could
always count on Ms. Angie, Ms. Jackie, and Ms. Roberta to
provide me with tasty food and some good laughs every time
I passed by their station," says Erik Franklin ’11 (Elgin, SC).
"These ladies act like Paladin moms who just want to feed
their Paladin babies!”
And there's always Ms. Ruby, a fixture at the cash register
for decades, who has been known to let hungry-looking students
slide in even after their meal plan had run out for the week.
But students like Meg Lacasse ’11 (Greenville, SC), a
vegetarian, find out that service in the DH goes deeper than a
smile. "I requested that rice dishes that don’t contain meat be
made with veggie broth instead of beef or chicken to make them
suitable for vegetarians," she says, "and they took care of it.
That was awesome.”
Even in the middle of finals, students linger in the DH and
the Paladen. "The DH is not just a place to eat but a place to see
everyone," says Natalie Pike ’11 (Lenoir, SC). "I talk with friends,
discuss classes, and escape my busy schedule."
Students agree, it's a great place to find a little taste of home.
GEt A BEHIND-tHE-SCENES LooK At tHE DH WItH ForMEr StuDENt AND CuLINAry tour GuIDE EDWArD CrouSE ’07 At ENGAGEFurMAN.CoM/VIDEo.
You can find Sheila McCullough at the omelet station in Daniel Dining Hall almost every morning. She doesn't even ask what students want. By the middle of fall term, she has their favorites memorized and starts cooking as they approach.
Serving it up with a Smile
By Katie Levans ’07
engage furman 23
furman’s incoming class of 2015 includes a professional racecar driver, a published author, a professional skydiver, the founder
of a start-up business, two squash players, AP scholars, and a variety of other individuals who specialize in unique areas. At Furman, we welcome individuals. In fact, when you apply, the Admission Committee will make an extra effort to get to know you, both academically and personally, through Furman’s holistic approach to the application process. We realize that you’re not a statistic, and we don’t want to lump you into any group, which is why we are a test-optional institution. We know that your potential for success cannot be determined by a single factor, such as a standardized test score. So how do you let us know who you are? Start with your application essay. We read each essay very carefully and advise you to approach the essay as if you are having a conversation with a friend: tell us what you like, what you hate, what you’re good at, and what you can’t live without. Have a talent for tight-rope walking? We want to learn about it. Passionate to change the lives of others or improve your world? We want to know more.
Another great way to tell us your story is through a Furman Admission Network (FAN) interview with a Furman alum or parent in your area. These informal, conversational interviews are not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to sign up for an interview. Your transcript gives us a picture of your high school
course load. Furman prides itself on an academically rigorous curriculum, so a strong background in college preparatory courses is essential. In addition, we also like to see dedicated involvement in
activities outside of the classroom, and we especially appreciate your leadership in some of these groups. When reviewing your application, the committee takes all of this information into account. If there’s anything about you not included in your application that you still think we should know, please share it with us! Our goal is to shape Furman's community with students of all different talents, backgrounds, personalities, interests, and passions. We’d like to get to know you, so we invite you to get started!
StILL HAVE quEStIoNS? Visit engagefurman.com and click on “Join Now”
to create your profile and connect with your admission counselor.the furman community
admission advice
Getting to know you!
So how do you let us know who you are?
24 engage furman
Plan your Visit!You can visit Furman almost any time. To schedule a visit, go to www.engagefurman.com/visit or call 864.294.2034.
Apply onlinewww.engagefurman.com/apply
you now have more options when it comes to application deadlines. The application date you choose all depends on when you would like to make your final college decision. Select the date that works best for you, and go online to www.engagefurman.com/apply to complete your Furman application.
oPtIoN 1 | Early Decision
If Furman is your first choice, apply Early Decision.
If admitted, withdraw all other applications, and
then you can relax while your friends are filling out
application after application.
November 1—Your application is due.
November 15—Complete the CSS Profile, with notification
of financial aid award on or about December 15.
December 1—Decision letters are mailed.
January 5—Statement of Intent and enrollment deposit due.
March 1—Complete the FAFSA.
furman facts
Select an application date that suits you.
Did you know?Furman University was a pioneer in engaged learning as a practice and a concept. Today many colleges and universities use the term “engaged learning” to promote their programs. Furman is flattered—after all, imitation is the highest form
of praise.
Background—A private liberal
arts university founded in 1826
and nationally acclaimed for its
academic excellence, engaged
learning program, Division I
athletics and campus beauty
Location—Greenville, South
Carolina (metropolitan population
400,000), five miles north of
downtown
Students—2,700 undergraduates
from 46 states and 47 countries
Faculty—231, 96 percent with
the highest degree in their field
Student-to-Faculty ratio—11:1
Average Class Size—19
Campus—750-acre campus with lake; 36
major buildings including 490,000-plus
volume library; newly renovated science
complex with more than $6 million of
scientific equipment; 2,000-seat audito-
rium; music complex with recital halls and
technology lab; physical activities center
with workout facilities; chapel; 16,000-seat
football stadium; tennis center; soccer
stadium; and 18-hole golf course
Sports—Furman fields 17 NCAA Division I
men’s and women’s teams, as well as 16
club sports and a host of intramural teams.
Honor Societies—Phi Beta Kappa,
Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma,
and numerous departmental honoraries
In 2011, the Office of Admission received
5,800 applications for a freshman class of
795. Admitted students typically displayed
an academic record that included advanced
courses with strong grades and test scores.
Majors, Programs, and ConcentrationsAccounting
Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Art
Asian Studies
Biology
Black Cultures in the Americas*
Business Administration
Chemistry
Classics
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Computer Science–Mathematics
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Economics
Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
Engineering (dual degree)
English
English for Speakers
of other Languages*
Environmental Studies*
French
German Studies
Greek
Health Sciences
History
Individualized Curriculum Program
Information Technology
Latin
Latin American Studies*
Mathematics
Mathematics–Economics
Music
Church Music
Composition
Music Education
Music Theory
Performance
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Poverty Studies*
Prelaw Studies**
Premedical Studies and
Health Careers**
Psychology
Religion
Science Education*
Sociology
Sustainability Science
Spanish
Theatre Arts
Urban Studies *concentration **program of study
Select an application date that suits you.
oPtIoN 2 | Early Action
By applying Early Action, you’re notified of
your admission decision sooner, allowing you
more time to make your choice.
November 15—Your application is due.
February 1—Decision letters are mailed.
February 15—Complete the FAFSA and CSS
Profile, with notification of financial aid award
on or about March 1.
May 1—Statement of Intent and enrollment
deposit due.
ooPtIoN 3 | regular Decision
If you want to keep your options open and
won’t be able to decide until May 1, apply
Regular Decision.
January 15—Your application is due.
March 1—Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile,
with notification of financial aid award on or
about April 1.
April 1—Decision letters are mailed.
May 1—Statement of Intent and enrollment
deposit due.
engageFurman university Admission
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, South Carolina 29613-5245
you could say that Scarlet Sellers ’14
(Florence, SC) was introduced to
some serious “wildlife” during her first
year at Furman—a coyote and a mountain
lion to be exact. She has been working
with biology professor Travis Perry in
Furman’s Zoological Museum in Townes
Science Center preparing and organizing
specimens (skeletons) for use in the
museum. Furman’s Zoological Museum
has a large collection of vertebrate and
invertebrate specimens that are referenced
by faculty and students doing research on
insect and vertebrate biology.
It’S WHAt’S oN tHE INSIDE tHAt CouNtS
Flesh and Bones
