Browse the Collection

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.

The 1969-1970 Furman University Concert Choir. A member of the choir, Sarah Reese '71, can be seen at the far right in photo, third row. Reese enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women. Sarah Reese would later become a world-famous opera singer.

The 1970-1971 Furman University Concert Choir. Members of the choir include: Sarah Reese '71, in the third row, far right, and Ronald (Rawn) Harbor '71, in the fourth row, far left. Reese and Harbor were some of Furman's first African American students.

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.

Sarah Reese, in her Junior year at Furman, singing from the musical 'Porgy and Bess' as entertainment for the annual Knight's Night, during Homecoming week festivities. Reese enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women. Sarah Reese would later become a world-famous opera singer.

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.

Junior Class portrait from the 1970 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook) of Sarah Reese '71. Reese enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women.

Portrait of Sarah Reese '71 from the 'Who's Who' section of the 1971 Bonhomie (Furman Yearbook). Reese enrolled at Furman in 1967 as one of the university's first African American women.

A statement from the faculty of Furman University in support of integration, presented to the university's Board of Trustees on October 8, 1963.

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 published in Furman Magazine, v. 12 (no. 3), Autumn 1963 about the semi-annual Furman Board of Trustees meeting, held october 8th, 1963, where the Board approved a resolution that Furman University consider applications for admission from all qualified applicants.

Editorial, reprinted from the Greenville News, published in Furman Magazine, v. 12 (no. 3), Autumn 1963. The author explains the wisdom in the Furman University Board of Trustees' adoption of a new policy allowing admission to all qualified students, regardless of race, and explains why it is wise for Southern Baptists, and other church-related colleges to support this decision.