Browse the Collection

1966 Color Guard wearing their winter greens. Joe Vaughn is featured in the foreground

1966 Color Guard. (Front Row) Joe Vaughn, Cavenaugh, Ethrige, Taylor. (Back Row, Left to Right) Banks, Funderburk, File.

Column, entitled 'Candidly,' written by student, Chuck Graham '62, appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated May 19, 1962. Graham is ending his column as he is graduating soon, but writes that the struggle for power over Furman, which 'straddles the two worlds of a narrow, denominational school and a leading educational institution,' will continue to be fought.

Photograph of the Furman Chapter of the Southern Student Organizing Committee, an organization of students committed to peace, racial equity, and participatory democracy. From the 1968 Furman yearbook: 'SSOC is convinced that society is in need of radical reform on every level, including the university level. It is our purpose to work for these reforms, both through education and direct action. Ready to organize are the members of the Southern Student Organizing Committee.

Joseph Vaughn '68 performing in the Furman Concert Choir. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Photograph of the 1967-68 Furman University Program Board. The Program Board was an organization that sponsored the majority of activities provided by the Watkins Student Center. The Collegiate Education Service Corps, CESC, also functioned under the Program Board. It was one of the most worthwile and unique organizations in which Furman students could participate. From left to right in photo are Ms. Betty Alverson, Julie Burts, Karen Metcalfe, Joe Vaughn, Jan Clark, Harriet Hamrick, Chris Turner, and Ms. Juanita Copleland.

Joseph Vaughn '68 and Linda Friddle '69 acting in the Furman Theater Guild's production of Max Frisch's comedy, 'The Firebugs.' Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Joseph Vaughn '68, as part of the Cheer Squad, leading fans in a cheer at one of the Furman football games. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Joseph Vaughn '68 and classmates having fun during a musical performance. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Photograph from the 1966 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Joseph Vaughn '68 surrounded by balloons. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Photograph of Joseph Vaughn '68, holding a white azalea blossom in his teeth. Photo taken during his senior year at Furman. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Photograph from the 1965 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Joseph Vaughn '68 standing on the stairs in front of the James B. Duke Library, on the campus of Furman University. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Class portrait from the 1966 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Joseph Vaughn '68. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Class portrait from the 1967 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Joseph Vaughn '68. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Senior Class portrait from the 1968 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Joseph Vaughn '68. Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Freshman Class portrait from the 1968 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Lillian Brock Flemming '71. Lillian Brock enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women.

Sophomore Class portrait from the 1969 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Lillian Brock Flemming '71. Lillian Brock enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women.

2-page color spread celebrating Mighty White Man, the horse ridden by the Paladin at Furman football games beginning in Fall 1961.

An article appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated February 19, 1965. The article is about Joe Vaughn '68, his reception on campus, and his opinion of Furman after his first weeks there. Joseph Vaughn became the university's first African American student on Jan. 29, 1965.

Freshman Class portrait from the 1968 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Sarah Reese '71. Reese enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women.

An article appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated November 11, 1961. The article details a resolution, introduced, and approved at the Annual South Carolina Baptist Student Union Convention, suggesting that the Trustees of the institutions of the South Carolina Baptist Convention 'give careful study to this responsibilty to open the door' to qualified students regardless of race.

An article written by Furman president, Gordon Blackwell, published in Furman Magazine, v. 14 (no. 3), Winter 1966. President Blackwell writes about the history of social change on college campuses thoughout the generations, as well as the current state of student unrest and social revolution at Furman in the 1960's.

An article appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated November 9, 1963, showing the results of a poll given to Furman students, seeking their opinions on the Furman Trustees' resolution authorizing Furman to admit all qualified applicants regardless of race or color.

Photograph from the 1966 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of the French Club, 'Le Salon Francias.' This society was composed of students recommended by their professors for their superior work in the intermediate or advanced levels of French. Joseph Vaughn, the university's first African American student, is seen standing at far left in photo.