Furman University to explore its historical connections to slavery

Furman University has established a task force that will explore the Greenville school's historical connections to slavery, the university announced this week.

The Task Force on Slavery and Justice will help Furman and the larger community understand the role slaves may have played in the university's early history, according to a news release.

“The Furman community has a deep respect for its founders and we are looking for proactive ways to connect their legacies with our vision for the future, which is to prepare students for lives of purpose, fulfillment and community impact in a diverse and global world,” Furman Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs George Shields said in a statement.

Furman's initiative is similar to recent efforts by Clemson University, which has sought to shine a light on its connections to slavery and prison labor.