Furman University Oral Histories

Follow

• 

  June Manning Thomas Oral History

  June Manning Thomas and Jeffrey Makala

  Video interview with June Manning Thomas. Ms. Thomas enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women. She begins the interview speaking about her hometown, Orangeburg, South Carolina, during the 1960s, and being a part of the first group of African American students to attend racially integrated public schools there. As a high school student June attended a summer program at Furman, and she talks about the program and how it infuenced her decision to attend Furman. Ms. Thomas talks about her freshman year, describes her life as an African American student at Furman, and tells of her friendships with Mary Beth Hare, Joe Vaughn, Tyrone Haynes, Sarah Reese, and Lillian Brock Flemming. Ms. Thomas speaks about the SSOC (Southern Student Organizing Group), the Orangeburg Massacre, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She shares fond memories of Furman Chaplain, L. D. Johnson, and his "talks" with students. Ms. Thomas closes her interview speaking about her favorite class at Furman, singing in the choir, and stressing the importance of the Furman summer program she attended as a high school student.

• 

  Kailash Khandke Interview

  Kailash Khandke, Eli Kibler, Eva Kiser, and Kylie Fisher

  Born and educated in India, Dr. Kailash Khandke came to the United States to pursue a doctoral degree in economics at the University of California, Davis. In 1995, Khandke was hired as the first professor of South Asian heritage at Furman. In this interview, Khandke narrates his pathway to Furman and his role in promoting a global curriculum and international educational opportunities at the University. Khandke helped to organize and lead Furman's first study away program in India and later served as the Dean for Study Away and International Education from 2007 to 2015.

  This oral history is part of the Untold Journeys project.

• 

  Kate Kaup Interview

  Katherine Palmer Kaup, Eli Kibler, Eva Kiser, and Kylie Fisher

  In this interview, Dr. Kate Kaup explains the formation of Furman's Asian Studies Department and many of the contributions of these early faculty members, which included developing new curricular and co-curricular initiatives, leading study away opportunities in Asia, facilitating international exchange programs, and working to recruit international students. Kaup also provides an important perspective of the Asian and Asian American student experience on campus.

  This oral history is part of the Untold Journeys project.

• 

  Larry Estridge Oral History

  Larry Estridge and Courtney Tollison

  Larry Estridge graduated Furman in 1966. At Furman he was President of the Student Body and also received the Hughes Perpetual Trophy for ROTC Outstanding Army Cadet. He spent almost 20 years on the Furman University board of trustees. In this 2004 oral history Mr. Estridge talks about growing up in Rock Hill, SC, and how he became interested in Furman. He discusses his first impressions of the new campus, President Plyler, and Dr. Bonner. He gives details of life as a Furman student on the new campus, and discusses some of the student traditions at that time. He discusses fraternities during those years, and the issues with the Baptist Convention. He praises President Gordon Blackwell and Betty Alverson, and details working with them as President of the Student Body. Mr. Estridge speaks of his time as an ROTC cadet during the Vietnam Era, Joe Vaughn and desegregation at Furman, as well as the student protest years. Mr. Estridge goes into great detail about his integral role in Furman's separation from the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and he ends the oral history praising the leadership of President John Johns, Minor Mickel, and Alester Furman during that difficult time.

• 

  Lillian Brock Flemming Oral History

  Lillian Brock Flemming and Courtney Tollison

  Video interview with Dr. Lillian Brock Flemming, one of the first two African American females to graduate Furman University. Dr. Flemming enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university’s first African American women. She graduated in 1971, and earned her Masters of Education from Furman in 1975. In 1981, she became the first African-American woman to serve on the Greenville City Council, and in 1989 she was elected Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1995, she became Furman’s first female African-American trustee, and in 2014 Lillian was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Furman University. Dr. Flemming begins the interview talking about growing up in Greenville SC, and what led her to attend Furman. She shares memories of the 1960’s and the civil rights movement, integration, and her life as an African American student at Furman during those years. Dr. Flemming remembers Ernie Harrill, L. D. Johnson, and talks about President Gordon Blackwell and his relationship with the Furman students. She shares stories about her good friend, Joe Vaughn, growing up with Joe in the same neighborhood, attending Furman together, as well as life after Furman, working in education in Greenville County. Dr. Flemming talks about her appreciation for Furman, and how she sees Furman now, and the direction the school is taking. She also speaks about being on the Furman Board of Trustees, the issues they faced, and their goals. She closes the interview speaking about her continued relationship with Furman.

• 

  Lloyd Batson Oral History

  Lloyd Ellis Batson and Courtney Tollison

  Dr. Lloyd Ellis Batson, Trustee Emeritus at Furman University, and a 1947 graduate of Furman. Dr. Batson is also a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Furman in 1987. He served as the president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and chair of the Furman Board of Trustees. In this 2004 oral history, Dr. Batson discusses his time as a Furman student, knowing John Johns as a student, his favorite professor Dr. Glipatrick, the old campus downtown, as well as his interactions with President John Plyler. He speaks of his service as a trustee from 1963 to 1993, highlighting the hiring of President Gordon Blackwell, the desegregation of Furman, working with President John Johns, and Joe Roberts. Dr. Batson gives details about Furman's history and relationship with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He discusses the separation from the Convention, and he concludes the interview discussing Furman's religious identity and his hopes for Furman's future.

• 

  Marguerite Hays Oral History

  Margarite Hays and Courtney Tollison

  Audio interview with Marguerite Hays, longtime Furman University administrator. Mrs. Hays began working at Furman as Publications Editor, she later became Director of University Relations, and editor of the Furman Magazine. She begins the interview by sharing a story about Furman's honorary degree presentation to Vice President George Bush in 1983. Mrs. Hays talks about working with Peggy Park. In the interview she also mentions Marguerite Chiles, Ernie Harrill, and President Gordon Blackwell. She speaks about the Furman Magazine and the coverage of the split between Furman and the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Mrs. Hays describes her job as Director of Public Relations and briefly mentions the dedication of Timmons Arena. She concludes the interview talking about the direction of the university as she sees it, life as a Furman retiree, taking classes in the FULIR program, and the impact of Furman on her life.

• 

  Mary P. Sterling Oral History

  Mary P. Sterling and Courtney Tollison

  Audio interview with Mary Peace Sterling, Furman University Trustee Emerita, and Greenville native. Mrs. Sterling, also a former member of the Furman Advisory Council, provided the naming gift for the Charlie Peace Wing of the Furman Library in memory of her father. Furman awarded her an honorary doctor of humanities degree in 2002. In this 2004 interview Mrs. Sterling talks about growing up in Greenville, SC, and her thoughts of Furman then, and how it's been a part of her life since an early age. She mentions being at the basketball game when Furman's Frank Selvy scored 100 points in 1954. Mrs. Sterling discusses Greenville's relationship with Furman, memories of President John Plyler and his wife Bea Plyer, and she shares memories of her father, Charlie Peace. She tells of how she became a Furman Board of Trustees member in 1995, and talks about some of the issues the board faced during her tenure. Mrs. Sterling details how she got involved with the Furman Library, and gives the history of the library's Charlie Peace Wing. She briefly discusses the different leadership styles of past Furman presidents, and concludes the interview talking about being a board member, the meetings, the schedule, etc., as well as being a Furman Trustee Emeritus.

• 

  Max and Trude Heller Oral History

  Max Heller, Trude Heller, and Courtney Tollison

  Audio interview with Max Heller, former mayor of Greenville, Furman trustee and Advisory Council member, and his wife,Trude. In this 2004 interview they share memories of living in Austria during Hitler's occupation, what life was like for Jews there, and how they separately made their way to the U.S. Mr. Heller remembers his first meeting with John Plyler, and he and Mrs. Heller talk about how they started their lives in Greenville, and how they became involved with Furman. They share memories of President Gordon Blackwell, and Betty Alverson, and talk about their collaboration with Furman's CESC. They praise the Furman students for their volunteer work, and talk about how Furman contributes to the Greenville community. They share their thoughts on religious and racial discrimination. Mr. Heller discusses his time as mayor, and memorable experiences during his time on the Furman Advisory Council. They discuss Furman's greatest challenges over the years, their friendships with Furman presidents, and what each president has done for Furman. Mrs. Heller speaks about her involvement with Furman, and Mr. Heller talks about his time as Scholar in Residence at the Riley Center. They close the interview sharing their hopes for the Heller Service Corps, and tell of how honored they were about the naming.

• 

  Pam Shucker Oral History

  Pam Shucker

  Video interview with Pam Shucker, writer, naturalist, science teacher, and 1969 graduate of Furman University. Pam is the wife of Dr. Harry Shucker, retired Vice President of Student Services at Furman. Dr. Harry Shucker is a 1966 Furman graduate. In this interview Mrs. Shucker discusses her past and present experiences at Furman. She talks about life as a Furman student in the late 1960's, discussing gender roles, how the campus was split, hall mothers, curfews, mandatory chapel, and the role of religion on campus at that time. Mrs. Shucker briefly touches on social issues during her student life such as the Vietnam War and the mandatory draft, civil rights, integration, and Furman's first African American student, Joe Vaughn, and what important roles L. D. Johnson and Ernie Harrill played at Furman in those years. She talks about some of Furman's student traditions, like Rat Court and being tossed in the lake. Mrs. Shucker also speaks about her life after graduation and the differences in the opportunities for women then and now.

• 

  Ralph S. Hendricks Oral History

  Ralph S. Hendricks and Courtney Tollison

  Audio interview with Ralph S. Hendricks, Simpsonville philanthropist, former mayor, and Furman trustee emeritus. Mr. Hendricks started the Ralph and Virginia Hendricks Foundation to provide scholarships for Hillcrest High and Woodmont High students, and Furman awarded Mr. Hendricks with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2000. Mr. Hendricks begins the inteview with a brief overview of his life and how he came to upstate South Carolina, as well as his life in business. He talks of becoming a Furman trustee in 1988, and his early experiences on the Board, and the split between Furman and the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Mr. Hendricks speaks of President Johns and President Shi, details how the trustees work, and gives his thoughts on Furman football. He discusses the construction of the Younts building and moving Cherrydale. Mr. Hendricks concludes the interview talking about the history of his foundation.

• 

  Shusuke Yagi Interview

  Shusuke Yagi, Eli Kibler, Eva Kiser, and Kylie Fisher

  A founding member of Furman's Asian Studies Department, Dr. Shusuke Yagi was hired as the University's first professor of Japanese language in 1989. In this interview, Yagi explains his family's experiences in Europe and North America and his eventual journey to Furman. He details his first impressions of living in the southeastern United States and some of the challenges and discrimination he faced upon his arrival at the University.

  This oral history is part of the Untold Journeys project.

• 

  Stephen T. Richardson Oral History

  Stephen T. Richardson and Matthew Sohner

  Video interview with Steve Richardson, former Coordinator of Reference Services at the Furman University Library. In this interview, Steve discusses his work with Dr. Glen Clayton (former Head of Special Collections and Archives) and the Greenville Historical Society in identifying the photographic collection of William B. Coxe. The interview specifically focuses on glass plate negatives related to Furman University.

• 

  Ted T. Ellett Oral History

  Ted T. Ellett and Courtney Tollison

  Video interview with Mrs. Ted T. Ellett, former Furman Dean of Women in the early 1940's. Mrs. Ellett was married to longtime Furman professor, J. Carlyle Ellett, and she also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Furman. Mrs. Ellett talks about coming to Furman in the early 1940's. She describes the old downtown campus, living in the dorm, and her job there. She talks about World War II and it's impact on Furman. Mrs. Ellett goes into detail about life on the old campus, discussing faculty life, friendships, schedules, dining, and living in the pre-fab homes. She speaks about Baptist ties and influence during her time at Furman. Mrs. Ellet discusses the AAUP beginning. She talks about the new Furman campus, the Bell Tower, Carl Clausen, as well as Bea Plyler's influence on the design and decor of the new campus. Mrs. Ellett speaks highly of Joe Vaughn. She shares memories of directing a girl's sports day camp at Furman, and speaks about the J. Carlyle Ellett Economics Prize, an award established in honor of her husband, and given to the top Economics student.

• 

  Tom Hartness Oral History

  Tom Hartness and Courtney Tollison

  Video interview with Tom Hartness, Furman Trustee Emeritus. Mr. Hartness served on the board of trustees at Furman for over forty years, including several terms as chair. Furman awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1972. Mr. Hartness begins this 2004 interview telling about his background, how he came to Greenville, SC, and started his business. He tells how he became interested in Furman through his friendship with Furman Coach Lyles Alley. He remembers President Plyler asking him to serve on the board, the groundbreaking of the new Furman campus, and discusses the relationship between Greenville and Furman right after Furman's move from downtown. Mr. Hartness speaks about President Plyler, Alester Furman, and Dean Cain during those years, and tells of money raising campaigns in the early years of the new campus. He praises Bea Plyler for her involvement in the development of the new campus, as well as Dr. Frank Bonner for his work for Furman. Mr. Hartness discusses his time on the search committee for President Blackwell and President Johns, and shares anecdotes about Dr. John's hiring and from his long friendship with Dr. Johns. He concludes the interview talking about Furman's split with the SC Southern Baptist Convention, the accomplishments of President Johns, and the change in Furman since the 50's.

• 

  Tommie Smith Oral History

  Tommie Smith and Courtney Tollison

  Video interview with Dr. Tommie Smith, former track & field athlete, NFL wide receiver, coach, and professor. In the 1968 Summer Olympics, after winning gold, Tommie Smith raised his fist on the podium to show solidarity with people fighting for human rights in the United States and internationally. In this 2008 interview, Dr. Smith begins talking about how running has always been a part of his life. He tells of being a child of poor farmers in Texas during the 1940's, moving to California at age 6, and of a life of hard work and church. He discusses becoming interested in civil rights in college during the 1960's. Dr. Smith goes into detail about his experience during the 1968 Summer Olympics, the decision to raise his fist on the vicotry podium, and the response he faced afterwards.

• 

  W. Lindsay Smith Oral History

  W. Lindsay Smith and Courtney Tollison

  Video interview with W. Lindsay Smith, 1974 graduate of Furman University, Quaternion Club member, and President of the Furman University Foundation, Inc. Mr. Smith begins the interview sharing childhood memories of Furman, as both of his parents were on Furman's music faculty. He discusses making his decision to attend Furman, and names a few influential Furman professors in his life, like Don Aiesi, Ernie Harrill, and Jay Walters. Mr. Smith talks about being a student during that time, and his involvement in student government. He tells of a sit-in protest, he talks about President Blackwell's accessibility to students, and how Dr. Blackwell worked well with the S.C. Baptist Convention in those years. Mr. Smith speaks about his induction into Furman's Quaternion Club, and talks about his relationship with Furman after graduation. Mr. Smith talks in depth about Furman's split with the S.C. Baptist Convention, how he became involved, and the role he played assisting Furman. He tells of working with fellow Furman alumnus, Larry Estridge, as well as Dr. Johns. He gives details of the legal process, and discusses the history between Furman and the S.C. Baptist Convention. Mr. Smith speaks about the reaction afterwards, and gives his perspective on the split, and what it means to him to have been involved in the process.