Former Furman University student Katie Towery discusses the importance of the work of The Riley Institute at Furman to students and the Upstate Community. The institute was started 20 years ago this month by former S.C. Governor and U.S. Education Secretary Dick Riley, who is a partner in the Greenville and D.C. offices. Towery is now an associate in the Greenville office alongside Riley.

The institute’s goal is to “bring the world to Furman” for the benefit of Furman students and the community. Its aim is to attract political figures and prominent journalists, to support students’ work in Washington, D.C. and overseas, and to bring scholars in residence to Furman.

“I was a political science major, and I learned that being involved with The Riley Institute brought the focus from the classroom to being involved. You had the opportunity to go to dinners, to be in the dining hall with these amazing individuals who came on campus to speak. So it was a very unique opportunity for Furman students.”