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.

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.

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.

An article appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated February 8, 1985. In the article Joseph Vaughn '68, Furman University's first African American student, and Lillian Brock Flemming '71, one of the first two African American females to graduate Furman, reflect on their time at Furman, and offer advice to current African American students.

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.

Joseph Vaughn '68 and Lillian Brock Flemming '71 share a laugh during a Religion in Life lecture titled 'Racial Integration at Furman: 21 Years Later' given in 1986.

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.

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.