Trustees
Leighan Roberts Rinker
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Leighan Roberts Rinker
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Leighan Roberts Rinker, a native of Virginia, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She later earned M.Ed and Ed.S. degrees from Florida Atlantic University, which presented her the Professional and Human Services Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 1989. In 1997 she received a doctorate in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University and an honorary degree from Furman in 2004.
A strong advocate for children, Leighan was a professor of education at Palm Beach Atlantic College, national presenter and author in the field of early childhood education and administration. She currently chairs the Board of Directors of Beginnings of Palm Beach County and serves on the accreditation policy board of the National Association for Child Care Professionals. She is active in civic and community organizations, including Palm Beach Atlantic University's Early Childhood Education Department, Florida's Early Childhood Program Administrator Task Force, and the board of Grand Bank & Trust of Florida. From 1984 to 1996 she served on the board of Roberts Wesleyan College, which named her to its Hall of Fame in 1995. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In 1998 she received the "Champion of Higher Independent Education in Florida" award.
Leighan has served as chair and vice chair of Furman's Board of Trustees. She and her husband, David, are former members of the Furman Parents Council and founding members of the Partners Scholarship Program. They have four children, three of whom graduated from Furman.
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