The L. D. Johnson Lecture series was established in honor of the life and work of the late L. D. Johnson, chaplain at Furman from February 17, 1967 to December 20, 1981. It is an appropriate honor, since for so many years he blessed the Furman community with his example, leadership, love and support.
Dr. Johnson often called on Furman, individually and collectively, to stop and consider who we are and what we are about. An article that appeared in the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen on December 23, 1981, a few days after his death, included these words which have inspired the title and substance of this lecture series: "Dr. L. D. Johnson knew what really mattered."
The lecture series each year brings to the forefront one Furman faculty member or administrator and one alum to discuss, in his or her own way, "What Really Matters."
Dr. Shi's Column on "What Really Matters"Stacy Sauls' ('77) Speech on "What Really Matters"Tony Arrington's Speech on "What Really Matters"James Edwards' Speech on "What Really Matters"1982 – 1983
Theron Price, Professor of Religion
Tony Arrington (’60), Professor of Chemistry
1983 – 1984
Charles Alford, Professor of Economics and Business
James Edwards (’65), Professor of Philosophy
1984 – 1985
John Block (’63), Professor of History
Duncan McArthur, Associate Professor of English
1985 – 1986
Thomas Cloer, Professor of Education and Coordinator of Special Counseling
Bingham Vick, Associate Professor of Music
1986 – 1987
Rhett Bryson, Associate Professor of Drama
Elaine Nocks, Associate Professor of Psychology
1987 – 1988
David Turner, Associate Professor of Physics
Richard Riley, Distinguished Lecturer in Political Science
1988 – 1989
Lore Johnson, retired instructor in Drama and Speech
Schaefer Kendrick, Professor of Economics Emeritus
1989 – 1990
Marguerite Chiles (’40), Retired Vice President for Student Affairs
John Crabtree, Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
1990 – 1991
Albert Blackwell, Professor of Religion
Ernest Harrill, Emeritus Professor of Political Science
1991 – 1992
Gerda McCahan, Emeritus Professor of Psychology
James Smart, Professor of History
1992 – 1993
Tom Buford, Professor of Philosophy
John Shelley, Professor of Religion
1993 – 1994
David Shi (’73), Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
Jeff Rogers, Dana Assistant Professor of Religion
1994 – 1995
Vic Greene (‘73), Associate Chaplain
A.V. Huff, Jr., William Montgomery Burnett Professor History and Chair
1995 – 1996
Linda Julian, Professor of English
David Rutledge, Professor of Religion
1996 – 1997
Robert McNamara, Assistant Professor of Sociology
T.C. Smith, Emeritus Professor of Religion
1997 – 1998
James Leavell, Professor of History and Asian Studies
David Gibson, Emeritus Professor of Music
1998 – 1999
Susan D’Amato (’77), Associate Academic Dean
Jim Pitts (‘60), Chaplain and Associate Professor of Religion
1999 – 2000
Maurice Cherry, Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures
William Thomas, Jr., Professor of Music
2000 – 2001
Thomas D. Grassano (‘83), Director Urban Harvest Ministries, South Bronx, New York City
David H. Bost, Professor of Modern Languages
2001 – 2002
Joseph A. Roberts (‘52), Retired Associate Director of Planned Giving and Director of Stewardship, Furman University
Helen Lee Turner, Associate Professor of Religion
2002-2003
Jennie Smith (‘88), Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Berry College
Kevin Treu, Professor of Computer Science
2003-2004
Gordon Herring (‘65) Board of Trustees
Bruce Schoonmaker (‘73), Professor of Music
2004-2005
Walt Cottingham (‘74) AP Human Geography, Honors English and World History teacher at Hendersonville High School
Si Pearman (‘87), Assistant Academic Dean and Professor Health and Exercise Science
2005-2006
Charles Townes, (‘35) Nobel and Templeton Laureate
William Rogers, Professor of English
2006 – 2007
William Bellinger, (‘72 ) Professor of Religion, Baylor University
Linda Bartlett, Acting Vice President for Associate Affairs and Dean, Professor of Modern Languages and Literature
2007-2008
Stacy Sauls, (‘77) Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
Harry Shucker, (’66) Vice President of Student Services
2008-2009
Elizabeth Bishop, (’89) Mezzo-soprano
Brent Nelsen, Professor of Political Science
2009-2010
Marty Soards, (‘74) Professor of New Testament, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Margaret Oakes, Professor of English
2010-2011
David Gandolfo, Associate Professor of Philosophy
2011-2012
David Gibson, ('81) Award Winning Writer and Columnist
Scott Henderson, Associate Professor of Education