<p>Furman gets $17 million grant from Duke Endowment
By Ron Barnett STAFF WRITER October 6, 2008 </p>
<p>Furman University announced today that it is receiving a $17 million grant from the Duke Endowment -- $14 million of which will go to create a scholarship program for out-of-state students and the rest to enhance the university's Asian studies program.</p>
<p>It was the largest single cash commitment in the university's history, Furman University President David Shi said.</p>
<p>"It is a great morning," Shi told guests who gathered on campus for the annoucement. "We do very much appreciate this remarkable gift.</p>
<p>The program will allow 40 students -- starting with 10 and adding 10 more each year until all 40 slots are filled -- to attend the private liberal arts school with a schoarship named after alumnus and Nobel Prize winner Charles H. Townes.</p>
<p>The university will use $3 million to fund endowments for professorships in its Asian studies program, which Furman hopes to make the top program of its type at a liberal arts school.</p>
<p>The bequest of the late industrialist John D. Hollingsworth is bigger in terms of overall value, but most of that is in real estate, not cash, Shi said.</p>
<p>More info. They will be need based!</p>
<p>The Townes Scholars will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, overall accomplishment and potential to make significant contributions to university life, with significant consideration given to financial need. Like the Hollingsworth Scholarships, the new Townes awards will include funding to support internship opportunities, research projects with professors and study away opportunities.</p>
<p>The first 10 Townes Scholars will enroll at Furman in 2009-10, and 10 more will be added each year until there are a total of 40 scholars at the university. The Townes program joins the John D. Hollingsworth Scholars, James B. Duke Scholars and Herman W. Lay Scholars as the university’s top scholarship awards.
“Since the Hollingsworth Scholarships are for South Carolina residents, we thought it was important to create an equally prestigious scholarship program for out-of-state students,” Shi said. “The Townes Scholars program will allow Furman to extend its geographic reach across the nation and build a stronger and more diverse student body.”</p>
<p>Does anyone know if this will require a separate application, like the Lay? D is working on that now, but since she is out of state perhaps she can be considered for this too...</p>
<p>There is some information on the Furman webpage under "Scholarship Information". I know theres an online application and I think you need a recommendation from a civic leader. Best thing to do is email admissions with you questions. I assure you they are great about responding to questions</p>
<p>25 Hollingsworth and 10 Townes Scholarships
Our public leadership scholarships recognize students who show unusual potential for making a difference in their communities. Students from SC apply for the Hollingsworth Scholarship and students from out of state apply for the Townes Scholarship. Winners from both programs receive awards of $25,000. A separate application is required for both.</p>
<p>Complete the on-line application. <a href="https://furman.wufoo.com/forms/hollingsworth-and-townes-scholarship-application/%5B/url%5D">https://furman.wufoo.com/forms/hollingsworth-and-townes-scholarship-application/</a></p>
<p>Thanks for the link! D works with the migrant community here in our rural county, I am certain that is what she will write about in her essay!</p>
<p>did anyone apply to this. Just curious</p>
<p>Anybody planning to apply to this?</p>
<p>My D is applying for the Townes Scholarship - I really like the challenge of writing about how you plan to address an issue in your home state as a leader after your education at Furman, she is expanding on what she wrote in her Common App short response..if you apply good luck!!</p>
<p>Thanks. Actually My D won one of the Hollingsworh Scholarships a few years ago. One of the best days of our lives and it is everthing they advertised it would be. Good luck to you</p>