Three hundred forty-six students. Thirty-seven courses. Three weeks in May. Two hours of credit

Myers, Emily

Oschman, Lauren, \u2710

Stell, Elizabeth, \u2710

University, Furman

Weatherford, Sarah

English

Furman University

Furman MagazineVolume 52Issue 2 Summer 2009 Article 126-1-2009May XFurman UniversityLauren Oschman '10Furman UniversityEmily MyersFurman UniversitySarah WeatherfordFurman UniversityElizabeth Stell '10Furman UniversityFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furman-magazineThis Regular Feature is made available online by Journals, part of the Furman University Scholar Exchange (FUSE). It has been accepted for inclusionin Furman Magazine by an authorized FUSE administrator. For terms of use, please refer to the FUSE Institutional Repository Guidelines. For moreinformation, please contact scholarexchange@furman.edu.Recommended CitationUniversity, Furman; Oschman, Lauren '10; Myers, Emily; Weatherford, Sarah; and Stell, Elizabeth '10 (2009) "May X," FurmanMagazine: Vol. 52 : Iss. 2 , Article 12.Available at: https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furman-magazine/vol52/iss2/1220    FURMAN | SUMMER 2009Such were the numbers for Furman’s first “May Experience” — or “May X,” as students quickly  dubbed it.  The optional program, part of the university’s revamped academic calendar, offers students  (including members of the graduating class) the chance to devote themselves fully to one area of study while  picking up two extra credits without the “distraction” of other courses.It all begins the Monday after Commencement.  Start date for 2010:  May 10.This spring’s May X pioneers chose from on- and off-campus offerings in 20 academic areas.  The eight  travel programs included a trip to China to examine the country’s business practices, which with 21  students proved to be the first year’s most popular course.  Among the other travel options were  a service learning program in New Orleans to assist with the ongoing Hurricane Katrina cleanup,  a geologic field study in the Appalachian Mountains, and visits to Scandinavia and Germany.On campus, students delved into research methods and techniques in such areas as  chemistry, neuroscience, psychology and biology, developed their own video documentaries,  studied creative writing with novelist Bret Lott, and engaged in an in-depth examination  of Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.Furman officials deemed the program a success and, given the rave reviews students  offered, expressed confidence that its popularity will grow as word of mouth spreads.   History professor Lloyd Benson says he expects the May Experience to “create new kinds of course-related academic encounters  between students and our broader Furman community of alumni, donors, parents, businesses and non-profit organizations.” Furman magazine invited several students to offer their reflections about the inaugural May X.  Their accounts follow.Three hundred forty-six students.  Thirty-seven courses.  Three weeks in May.  Two hours of credit.FURMAN | SUMMER 2009    23and getting a glimpse into the former presi dent’s life, past and present.  We visited the farm where he grew up and the school he attended, as well  as his campaign headquarters.  On our way home, we stopped at the Carter Center in Atlanta and were able to learn more about his activities in such areas as diplomacy, social justice and Habitat for Humanity.Upon arriving back in Greenville, our class commenced as would any other, and we engaged in in-depth discussions of President Carter and Southern Baptists in general.  We learned that his core beliefs of advancing human rights and alleviating suffering are deeply rooted in his Southern Baptist upbringing and in such tradi-tional denominational principles as “priesthood of all believers” and “unity in diversity.”  Yet one of the main reasons he cited in making the difficult decision to disassociate himself from  the SBC after 65 years was that he no longer  saw those core beliefs reflected in what he considered the rigid creeds espoused by the national convention.Although the classroom work was educa-tional and enjoyable, it was the trip to Plains  and the personal encounter with President Carter that set this class apart from any that  I have taken.  It was by no means a typical class, but it is for that very reason that it is one of the best Furman experiences I have had.— ELIZABETH STELL ’10The author is a Spanish major from  Fayetteville, Ga.Furman folks meet the president.  From left, President Carter, Daniel Spisak ’12, Courtney Orr ’11, Elizabeth Stell ’10, Charlotte Evans Finnegan ’86, Betsy Moseley ’74, Caitlin Sylvester ’12, Helen Lee Turner, Rosalynn Carter.   Photo courtesy Helen Lee Turner.I never really understood why Furman insisted on calling the new “Maymester” a “May Experience” — until I had the opportunity to take a course for myself.  After my three weeks  in Helen Lee Turner’s class titled “Jimmy Carter and Southern Baptists,” I came to fully appreciate the meaning of “May Experience.” As spring semester flew by and the plans  for the course began to solidify, I grew more and more excited to learn about what our small class of nine students would be doing.  Not only would we learn about President Carter and the way in which his personal theology had developed and influenced his life, but we were actually going  to meet the man himself!Being the nerd that I am, I tend to be especially star-struck by “presidential sightings,” so I was more thrilled about this aspect of the class than any other.  As if I weren’t excited enough, Dr. Turner had one more idea that surfaced only a couple of days before we left  for Plains, Ga., the president’s hometown.   She suggested that my mother, Charlotte Evans Finnegan ’86 (a former student of hers), come along for the trip.  I had told Dr. Turner my mom was jealous that I was going to meet President Carter, so when I called with Dr. Turner’s proposition, Mom said yes immediately.So it was that on Saturday, May 9, we left Greenville for the five-hour journey to Plains. The time passed quickly as our anticipation built.Early Sunday morning, we headed to Maranatha Baptist Church where President Carter would be teaching Sunday school.  We arrived early so that we could have the best seats in the house, and we were successful.  What an amazing experience!   At 85, President Carter still has it all together, which was very evident from his personal interactions with the congre-gation as he tried to get a feel for where everyone was from.  His lesson was well taught and was followed by a traditional Southern Baptist church service.After church, we were able to talk briefly with the president and have our picture taken with him.  Later we saw the Carters eating lunch at a local restaurant, and he and Rosalynn once again spoke to us.We spent the rest of the day exploring Plains A trip to Carter Country20    FURMAN | SUMMER 2009Such were the numbers for Furman’s first “May Experience” — or “May X,” as students quickly  dubbed it.  The optional program, part of the university’s revamped academic calendar, offers students  (including members of the graduating class) the chance to devote themselves fully to one area of study while  picking up two extra credits without the “distraction” of other courses.It all begins the Monday after Commencement.  Start date for 2010:  May 10.This spring’s May X pioneers chose from on- and off-campus offerings in 20 academic areas.  The eight  travel programs included a trip to China to examine the country’s business practices, which with 21  students proved to be the first year’s most popular course.  Among the other travel options were  a service learning program in New Orleans to assist with the ongoing Hurricane Katrina cleanup,  a geologic field study in the Appalachian Mountains, and visits to Scandinavia and Germany.On campus, students delved into research methods and techniques in such areas as  chemistry, neuroscience, psychology and biology, developed their own video documentaries,  studied creative writing with novelist Bret Lott, and engaged in an in-depth examination  of Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.Furman officials deemed the program a success and, given the rave reviews students  offered, expressed confidence that its popularity will grow as word of mouth spreads.   History professor Lloyd Benson says he expects the May Experience to “create new kinds of course-related academic encounters  between students and our broader Furman community of alumni, donors, parents, businesses and non-profit organizations.” Furman magazine invited several students to offer their reflections about the inaugural May X.  Their accounts follow.Three hundred forty-six students.  Thirty-seven courses.  Three weeks in May.  Two hours of credit.FURMAN | SUMMER 2009    23and getting a glimpse into the former presi dent’s life, past and present.  We visited the farm where he grew up and the school he attended, as well  as his campaign headquarters.  On our way home, we stopped at the Carter Center in Atlanta and were able to learn more about his activities in such areas as diplomacy, social justice and Habitat for Humanity.Upon arriving back in Greenville, our class commenced as would any other, and we engaged in in-depth discussions of President Carter and Southern Baptists in general.  We learned that his core beliefs of advancing human rights and alleviating suffering are deeply rooted in his Southern Baptist upbringing and in such tradi-tional denominational principles as “priesthood of all believers” and “unity in diversity.”  Yet one of the main reasons he cited in making the difficult decision to disassociate himself from  the SBC after 65 years was that he no longer  saw those core beliefs reflected in what he considered the rigid creeds espoused by the national convention.Although the classroom work was educa-tional and enjoyable, it was the trip to Plains  and the personal encounter with President Carter that set this class apart from any that  I have taken.  It was by no means a typical class, but it is for that very reason that it is one of the best Furman experiences I have had.— ELIZABETH STELL ’10The author is a Spanish major from  Fayetteville, Ga.Furman folks meet the president.  From left, President Carter, Daniel Spisak ’12, Courtney Orr ’11, Elizabeth Stell ’10, Charlotte Evans Finnegan ’86, Betsy Moseley ’74, Caitlin Sylvester ’12, Helen Lee Turner, Rosalynn Carter.   Photo courtesy Helen Lee Turner.I never really understood why Furman insisted on calling the new “Maymester” a “May Experience” — until I had the opportunity to take a course for myself.  After my three weeks  in Helen Lee Turner’s class titled “Jimmy Carter and Southern Baptists,” I came to fully appreciate the meaning of “May Experience.” As spring semester flew by and the plans  for the course began to solidify, I grew more and more excited to learn about what our small class of nine students would be doing.  Not only would we learn about President Carter and the way in which his personal theology had developed and influenced his life, but we were actually going  to meet the man himself!Being the nerd that I am, I tend to be especially star-struck by “presidential sightings,” so I was more thrilled about this aspect of the class than any other.  As if I weren’t excited enough, Dr. Turner had one more idea that surfaced only a couple of days before we left  for Plains, Ga., the president’s hometown.   She suggested that my mother, Charlotte Evans Finnegan ’86 (a former student of hers), come along for the trip.  I had told Dr. Turner my mom was jealous that I was going to meet President Carter, so when I called with Dr. Turner’s proposition, Mom said yes immediately.So it was that on Saturday, May 9, we left Greenville for the five-hour journey to Plains. The time passed quickly as our anticipation built.Early Sunday morning, we headed to Maranatha Baptist Church where President Carter would be teaching Sunday school.  We arrived early so that we could have the best seats in the house, and we were successful.  What an amazing experience!   At 85, President Carter still has it all together, which was very evident from his personal interactions with the congre-gation as he tried to get a feel for where everyone was from.  His lesson was well taught and was followed by a traditional Southern Baptist church service.After church, we were able to talk briefly with the president and have our picture taken with him.  Later we saw the Carters eating lunch at a local restaurant, and he and Rosalynn once again spoke to us.We spent the rest of the day exploring Plains A trip to Carter Country

May X

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