Donor Story--Nate Einstein

Nate Einstein has been known to call Furman as "one of Greenville's prized assets." He believes that Furman adds immeasurable stability to the community and is one of the prime reasons individuals and industries choose to move to the area.

Nate's commitment to Furman and Greenville started in the mid-1950s when he began to court Sugie Rosenfeld. At the time, both were students at the University of Alabama, and Sugie was from Greenville. Nate came to know the city while visiting with Sugie and her family. During his stays in Greenville, he would often study in the library on the old Furman campus.

In 1957, after Nate and Sugie married, he moved to Greenville to work in what is now the Rosenfeld-Einstein Insurance Agency. As he became more involved in the community, he became more and more connected with Furman.

He bought a home that had been occupied by Furman President Gordon Blackwell, and his new next-door neighbor was Chaplain L.D. Johnson. Through his work with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, he came to know Moffett Kendrick, then Furman's Vice President for Development. During his time working with the Jaycees and the Miss South Carolina pageant, he came to be close friends with Tom Hartness, a former Furman trustee. And, as a member of the Kiwanis Club, he came to know DuPre Rhame, Bing Vick, Dick Maag, and the Furman Singers.

As Nate learned more about Furman, he began to realize that every gift to the University is important, and regular annual gifts are vital to the well-being of the school.

In 1986, he created the Nathan A. Einstein Scholarship Fund to benefit the senior Furman Singers who have demonstrated academic responsibility, have financial need, and have shown a devotion to the Furman Singers. He takes great pride in visiting with the Singers and meeting the students who receive the scholarship.

Every year, Nate makes a financial donation to the scholarship fund in honor of friends and clients. His generosity has made him a role model for those he has chosen to honor. Furman now receives annual gifts from others who, as a result of Einstein's efforts, recognize the importance of regular giving.

Nate also has chosen to include Furman in his estate plans through his will. He is making this bequest in order to ensure that his scholarship will always have adequate funds. As he says, "I want to perpetuate something that already exists so I will have the satisfaction of knowing it will go on forever."

Because of his generosity, Nate has the satisfaction of knowing he has made a difference in many students' lives, as the Einstein Scholarship has provided the means for worthy students to complete their education. And as a Legacy Society member, he knows that his impact will live on in future generations of Furman students.