Furman receives $22M from Duke Endowment

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Furman University has received $22 million from The Duke Endowment to continue providing full-tuition scholarships to exceptional students.

The private college in Greenville announced this week it received $22.3 million to support the school’s James B. Duke Scholarship program. A Furman spokesman says the school awards the scholarship to about 10 students yearly who demonstrate “exceptional academic achievement and distinctive personal accomplishment.”

Of the full grant, $300,000 will fund initiatives for scholarship recipients. That includes individual mentoring and opportunities for summer research, internships and study abroad.

Furman President Elizabeth Davis says the generous gift will help the college attract the most academically talented students regardless of their financial need.

The Duke Endowment is a private foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was established by James B. Duke in 1924.