Cothran Center Conversations on Meaning and Purpose

Each semester, the Cothran Center facilitates Conversations. Faculty and/or staff members from the Furman community share their vocational stories, along with their basic beliefs and values, with students and guests. A community meal is also provided. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to List View Slideshow

Frankllin Ellis

1-25-2024

Frankin Ellis is Associate Dean and Director of The Center for Interpersonal Connections and Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Belonging. Ellis, from Florence, South Carolina, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from Coastal Carolina University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Wright State University and licensure as a professional counselor in Dayton, Ohio. He earned his doctorate in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Westwood, California.
Buket Oztas

1-25-2024

Buket Oztas is an assistant professor of Politics and International Affairs and the co-chair of the Middle East and Islamic Studies minor at Furman University. Originally from Izmir (Turkey), she holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Florida (2016) and a B.A. (summa cum laude) and B.S. (summa cum laude) in global and international affairs from Binghamton University and Bilkent University (2010).
Doug Allison

2-2-2023

A native of Bath, England, Doug Allison has been the head coach of men's soccer at Furman University since 1995. He earned his B.S. degree in physical education and minor in biology in 1989 from the University of South Carolina, and a master’s degree in physical education, recreation and sports science from the University of North Carolina. Allison earned his NSCAA Advanced Coaching License in 1992, and later added his USSF "A" License in 1994.
Eunice Kim and Tim Wardle

10-3-2023

Eunice Kim is an associate professor of Classics at Furman University. She received her B.A. in Classics from Brown University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. After a year as a postdoctoral fellow at Gonzaga University, she joined Furman University in 2018.

Tim Wardle is Chair of the Religion Department and Associate Professor of New Testament at Furman University. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament studies from Duke University, M.A. in Religious Studies from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and B.A. in History and Biblical Studies from Wheaton College in Illinois.
Robyn Andrews and Scott Murr

1-31-2022

Robyn Andrews is the Furman Libraries Coordinator for Circulation and Research Services and Libraries Diversity Coordinator. She has additional roles as a Pathways Advisor for 1st- and 2nd year students, co-chair of the President's Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and member of the Shared Equity Leadership Team. Robyn received her B.S., Instructional Design and Technology, from Walden University.

Scott Murr is an associate professor of Health Sciences at Furman University.Scott earned his B.A. at Furman University, and after completing his Master’s degree at Slippery Rock University, Scott continued his graduate studies at the University of Georgia, where he completed his Ed.D. in Exercise Science in 1997. Prior to returning to Furman in 1998, Scott was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sport Studies at Anderson College.
Claire Whitlinger and Akan Malici

9-13-2022

Claire Whitlinger is an associate professor of Sociology, and program founder and co-director of the Intergroup Dialogue Program at Furman University. Claire earned her B.A. degree in sociology from the George Washington University and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in sociology from the University of Michigan.

Akan Malici is a professor of Politics and International Affairs. He is from a Turkish and Albanian family. Akan grew up in Germany and received his undergraduate education in Literature and Political Science at the University of Tuebingen. He came to the United States for graduate school in 2000. At Arizona State University he received his M.A. degree in 2002 and his Ph.D. degree in 2004. He has been teaching at Furman University since 2005.
Rolyn Rollins and Kevin Treu

9-21-2021

Rolyn Rollins is the Program Director for Student Initiatives at Furman's Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection. Rolyn received a B.A. in Elementary Education and Spanish from Furman University and her Master’s degree in Social Work through the University of South Carolina. In addition, she is a certified Enneagram teacher through The Narrative Enneagram’s professional training program.

Kevin Treu is a professor and Chair of the Furman University Computer Science Department. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, and B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Allegheny College.
Jessica Berkey-Barnes

9-21-2020

Jessica Berkey-Barnes is Associate Dean for Student Involvement and Engagement at Furman University. She received her Bachelor of Music from Capital University and her M.S., College Student Personnel, from Western Illinois University.