Furman University - Joseph Vaughn Day Celebration 2025
Celebrating the Legacy of Joseph Vaughn ’68
Presented on: Thursday, May 15th 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
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Join Furman University in celebrating the legacy of Joseph Vaughn ’68, the university’s first Black undergraduate student. This event honors Vaughn’s courage in breaking barriers on Jan. 29, 1965, and reflects on a time when racial exclusion limited access to institutions like Furman.
The program features the presentation of the Idella Glenn ’84 Black Alumni Award by the Black Alumni Council, recognizing outstanding alumni contributions. This year’s recipient, Jackie Carson ’00, is a Furman Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2005), former head women’s basketball coach (2010-2023), and current senior associate commissioner for women’s basketball at the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Key Highlights:
- Learn about the impact of Furman’s first Black student and his vision for inclusion.
- Honor Jackie Carson ’00, recipient of the 2025 Idella Glenn ’84 Black Alumni Award.
- Hearst Fellow Soukeyna Pitroipa ’25 delivers a call to action.
Who Should Attend: Open to Furman students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members passionate about honoring history and celebrating alumni excellence.
Don’t miss this meaningful event to commemorate Joseph Vaughn’s courage and Furman’s ongoing journey toward equity. Register now to join us on May 15!
About Joseph Vaughn: Joseph Vaughn ’68 enrolled at Furman on Jan. 29, 1965, as its first Black undergraduate, graduating cum laude in 1968 with degrees in English and French. A leader in the Greenville NAACP Youth Chapters and a vibrant student involved in cheerleading and campus organizations, Vaughn’s legacy is immortalized in a bronze statue unveiled on April 16, 2021, at Joseph Vaughn Plaza. For a full biography, read “This is Him: The Life of Joseph Allen Vaughn.”
The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Furman University.