Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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Furman at a Decade’s Close Insight 1979 — TENNIS SHOE relays were popular at Field Day this fall. The team competition in relays, food races, and water balloon tomes concluded with the traditional towing of the girls in the lake. FRESHMAN ORIENTATION familiarizes new students with campus life before the first classes begin. Tracy Ballew and Tracey Bailey trek from one meeting to another to learn more about Furman. WATERMELON FANCIERS like Michele Barlow enjoyed this CESC program held during Orientation. MASS HANDLING of the tennis shoes during the Field Day relay race produced this close-knit group of freshmen. At the close of a decade, Furman has slowly evolved from the traditionally conservative school of the 1960’s into a potentially liberal school of the 1980’s. Whereas it is still a liberal arts college, at a time when the value of a liberal arts education is questionable, Furman remains loyal to its traditional objectives and defends its right to a well-rounded curriculum. As in the past, Furman is small. Baptist-affiliated and conservative at the close of a decade of moral changes, economic declines, and social permissiveness. But the university changed drastically in the I970’s, affected by national trends and by its own efforts to restructure its goals and services. The changes in the University concerned the pattern of student life on campus, the success of sports programs, the increased diversity of students, the new academic calendar, the soaring tuition, the changing interests of students, the campus organizations and the type of student who graduated from Furman during the 1970's. Opening 3

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Furman initiated a conscious effort to attain national recognition as an academic institution. In spite of higher fees, it attracted larger and more diversified student bodies during the 1970’s. The freshman class in 1979 was the largest ever. Rules and social standards changed drastically throughout the decade. Students’ career goals changed as well. The major in business gained popularity. In addition to creating an excellent Placement Office, Furman helped women pursue non-traditional careers. The nature of student activities was different in the 1970’s. The Student Government Association became the Association of Furman Students. The number of religious groups doubled. Furman’s sports programs continued to grow, especially in the women’s divisions. 4 Opening