SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive, Furman University Set to Recognize Retiring President Dr. David E. Shi

Published on April 9, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - After 16 years serving as Furman University's President, Dr. David Shi will officially retire on June 30th, but not before the Greenville Drive and Paladins recognize him and his accomplishments. Before and during the Drive's Wednesday, April 14th game versus the Rome Braves, a celebration for Dr. Shi will take place at Fluor Field.

"I can't think of a better way to spend an April evening than attending a Drive game in beautiful Downtown Greenville with Furman friends," noted Dr. Shi. "But I want people to know that the celebration is more about Furman than it is about me. We welcome the entire community to attend."

Prior to the game's first pitch, Furman students, faculty, and alumni will gather for a pre-game block party on Field Street - located on the first base side of Fluor Field. The festivities, which begin at 4 PM, will feature live music from Florez - a Furman alumni band, enjoyable entertainment, including some surprise guests, inflatable games with plenty of food and beverage available for purchase.

"The students both admire and respect Dr. Shi in a great number of ways," remarked J. Scott Derrick, Director of Student Activities & the University Center. "This event is a perfect tribute from these students to our outgoing President, with a great mix of fun, competition, music, and baseball - all in one amazing event!"

Once the gates to Fluor Field open at 6pm, a video tribute to Dr. Shi will play on the DriveVision video board, which Furman students have been preparing over the past six months, as part of the pre-game activities which includes the university alma mater performed by the Bell Tower Boys, and the National Anthem performed by the Furman Singers. Dr. Shi will also be throwing out the game's ceremonial first pitch.

In-game activities will feature Furman fraternities, sororities, faculty and other university organizations competing in on-field activities such as tug-of-war, dizzy bat race, and more. The FU Tones will serenade the crowd with their rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and the Bell Tower Boys will give an encore performance when they lead the crowd in "Sweet Caroline" during the eighth inning.

Bethany Ullrich, Class of 2011, commented on Dr. Shi's tenure at Furman, saying, "Dr. Shi has been an effective leader for Furman because he has been willing to actually get to know the current Furman...not just the Furman he experienced when he was at school here. He spends time around campus getting to know the students - in fact the first student government meeting I ever attended as a member hosted Dr. Shi as the guest speaker. I have seen him in the dining hall, the university center, and even working out at the fitness center - just really involving himself in the community. Dr. Shi has been an amazing President for Furman because he understood and cared about Furman in the same way the students do."

A 1973 Furman graduate, Shi joined the university administration in 1993 as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. A native of Atlanta, Shi graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science. While attending Furman, he was a member of the Paladin football team and was named to the All-Southern Conference team after his sophomore and junior years.

Shi has been widely recognized for his leadership abilities as a college president. In 2003, he was named Greenville Magazine Business Person of the Year. Furman also received a $150,000 Presidential Leadership Award grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in recognition of Shi's distinctive leadership. In December of 2003, he and his wife, Susan, received the Whitney M. Young, Jr., Humanitarian Award, the highest honor given by the Urban League of the Upstate. They were also named among Greenville's "Top 25 Leaders" in a community poll conducted by the Greenville News.

Furman University credits Dr. Shi with applications rising 75 percent, improving faculty salaries, the endowment quadrupling, the academic profile of the students rising, and transforming the 50-year-old campus with $210 million in new construction and renovation.

Drive Co-owner and President, Craig Brown, added, "What Dr. Shi has done for Furman University during his time as President is truly remarkable! He has molded Furman University into one of the top universities in the nation, and had a direct and profoundly positive impact on the lives of thousands of young adults." Brown added, "The Drive organization is looking forward to gathering in honor of Dr. Shi on April 14th, and to celebrating the spirit of Furman's students, faculty and alumni which are his legacy!"

For more information regarding Drive ticket plans, luxury accommodations, group outings, and single-game tickets, please call (864) 240-4500 or visit www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 9, 2010


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