Furman University, a private liberal arts institution located in Greenville, South Carolina, has a long and illustrious history dating back to 1826. Over the years, Furman has produced a remarkable number of distinguished alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions in a wide range of fields. From business and law to the arts and academia, Furman alumni are making a positive impact on the world.
Notable Furman Alumni in Business
Charles W. Moorman (Class of 1980)
- Founded Ziff Davis, a leading digital media company that publishes brands such as PC Magazine, IGN, and AskMen
- Sold Ziff Davis to J2 Global for $1.4 billion in 2010
Maurice “Moe” Bessinger (Class of 1995)
- Co-founded and served as CEO of UFG, a global energy and commodities trading firm
- Sold UFG to TPG Capital for an estimated $2 billion in 2021
Randy Lewis (Class of 1987)
- CEO of Red Ventures, a digital marketing and technology company
- Named to the Forbes Midas List of Top Tech Investors in 2021
Accomplished Furman Alumni in Law
Johnnie Rawlinson (Class of 1974)
- Partner at King & Spalding, one of the largest law firms in the world
- Specializes in corporate mergers and acquisitions
- Named to the “Best Lawyers in America” list multiple times
Dolores Delgado (Class of 1986)
- Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina
- First woman and first Hispanic to serve on the court
- Previously served as a trial court judge and a lawyer in private practice
Nancy Perry (Class of 1991)
- General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Advance Auto Parts
- Responsible for all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters for the company
- Previously served as an attorney with Kilpatrick Stockton
Furman Alumni Making Waves in the Arts
Blythe Danner (Class of 1965)
- Tony Award-winning actress known for her roles in “Meet the Parents” and “Sylvia”
- Has starred in numerous movies, TV shows, and Broadway plays
- Received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2014
Patricia Barber (Class of 1978)
- Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and singer-songwriter
- Has released 12 critically acclaimed albums
- Her music has been featured in several film soundtracks
Dr. Brady Pieterse (Class of 1997)
- Artist and professor known for his large-scale sculptures
- His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world
- Recipient of the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant
Inspirational Furman Alumni in Academia
Dr. David Shi (Class of 1982)
- Professor of Physics at Cornell University
- Leading expert in computational physics
- Recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and the Sloan Research Fellowship
Dr. Mary Alice Rankin (Class of 1993)
- Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University
- Specializes in the study of the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous people
- Author of several books on Amazonian culture
Dr. Ron Smith (Class of 1998)
- Dean of the College of Business at the University of South Carolina
- Previously served as a professor of finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
- Author of numerous research publications in financial economics
Other Notable Furman Alumni
Reverend Dr. David A. Graham (Class of 1977)
- Former president of Union Theological Seminary in New York City
- Author of several books on religion and social justice
- Ordained minister in the United Church of Christ
Billy Joe DuPree (Class of 1978)
- Former governor of South Carolina
- Served from 1995 to 1999
- Also served as a state representative and senator
Katie Ledecky (Class of 2013)
- Olympic gold medalist swimmer
- Holds the world record in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events
- Has won 10 Olympic medals, 6 of them gold
The Furman Advantage
Furman University provides its students with a well-rounded education that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. The university’s faculty are committed to teaching and mentoring students, and the small class sizes allow for personalized attention.
Furman alumni are known for their strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world. They are well-prepared for success in a wide range of careers, and they continue to make significant contributions in their fields.
Table 1: Furman Alumni in Business
| Name | Class | Company | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Moorman | 1980 | Ziff Davis | Founder and CEO |
| Maurice “Moe” Bessinger | 1995 | UFG | Co-Founder and CEO |
| Randy Lewis | 1987 | Red Ventures | CEO |
| Lee Bussell | 1992 | WellCare Health Plans | CEO |
| Mark O’Neill | 1986 | Trans World Entertainment | Former CEO |
Table 2: Furman Alumni in Law
| Name | Class | Firm/Organization | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnnie Rawlinson | 1974 | King & Spalding | Partner |
| Dolores Delgado | 1986 | South Carolina Supreme Court | Associate Justice |
| Nancy Perry | 1991 | Advance Auto Parts | General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
| Darrin Goss | 1988 | South Carolina Attorney General’s Office | Solicitor |
| Suzanne Walsh | 1995 | Walsh Law Firm | Founder and Managing Partner |
Table 3: Furman Alumni in the Arts
| Name | Class | Field | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blythe Danner | 1965 | Acting | Tony Award winner, Kennedy Center Honoree |
| Patricia Barber | 1978 | Jazz Music | Grammy-nominated, 12 acclaimed albums |
| Dr. Brady Pieterse | 1997 | Sculpture | Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant recipient |
| Robert L. Burns | 1973 | Literature | Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry |
| Jeanine Basinger | 1968 | Film Studies | Guggenheim Fellowship recipient |
Table 4: Furman Alumni in Academia
| Name | Class | Institution | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Shi | 1982 | Cornell University | Professor of Physics, MacArthur Fellow |
| Dr. Mary Alice Rankin | 1993 | Harvard University | Professor of Anthropology, Amazonian expert |
| Dr. Ron Smith | 1998 | University of South Carolina | Dean of the College of Business |
| Dr. David A. Graham | 1977 | Union Theological Seminary | Former President |
| Dr. Michael Hicks | 1993 | Ball State University | President |
