John Laney Plyler

Wall of Fame Merit Longest serving President at Furman and responsible for many changes Longest serving President at Furman and responsible for many changes A notable figure in Greenville and served as a county judge A notable figure in Greenville and served as a county judge Coached a GHS team to the basketball state championship Coached a GHS team to the basketball state championship

Career Achievements Won a state championship coaching basketball at GHS Won a state championship coaching basketball at GHS Served as the longest tenured president at Furman University (25 years) Served as the longest tenured president at Furman University (25 years) * new land purchased for the modern campus * became coeducational and desegregated * military training programs to keep male attendance up during WWII

Education Attended Greenville (Central) High and graduated in 1909 at the age of 15 Attended Greenville (Central) High and graduated in 1909 at the age of 15 Attended Furman and graduated in 1913 Attended Furman and graduated in 1913 Received J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1921 Received J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1921

Personal Information Born in Travelers Rest on January 12, 1894 Born in Travelers Rest on January 12, 1894 Became President of Furman on January 1, 1939 Became President of Furman on January 1, 1939 Married Beatrice Elizabeth Dennis and had three sons Married Beatrice Elizabeth Dennis and had three sons Fought in WWI as a second lieutenant Fought in WWI as a second lieutenant Died April 5, 1966 Died April 5, 1966

Interview with John Laney Plyler, Jr. What was his greatest accomplishment? All of the changes he bestowed upon Furman What was his greatest accomplishment? All of the changes he bestowed upon Furman Who influenced your father the greatest? Who influenced your father the greatest? His mother, who was a notable student His mother, who was a notable student What were his goals as a student? What were his goals as a student? To learn all that he could and help others Did your father ever talk about Greenville High School? Finished salutatorian and eventually returned to coach basketball and win a state championship Did your father ever talk about Greenville High School? Finished salutatorian and eventually returned to coach basketball and win a state championship What is your fondest memory of your father? What is your fondest memory of your father? Being available for help under any circumstances as well as his long standing honor and integrity leave a lasting impact

Interview Sound Clip Interview with John Laney Plyler, Jr. (son), who currently resides in Davidson, NC. Interview with John Laney Plyler, Jr. (son), who currently resides in Davidson, NC. Click on the icon of the speaker above to hear the interview.

Sources Plyler, Jr, John Laney. Telephone interview. May 19, Plyler, Jr, John Laney. Telephone interview. May 19, Tollison, Courtney. Furman University. Arcadia Publishing, Tollison, Courtney. Furman University. Arcadia Publishing, Wall of Fame Plaque at Greenville High Wall of Fame Plaque at Greenville High

Authors Steven- Powerpoint, editing interview Steven- Powerpoint, editing interview Clark- Interview and Questions Clark- Interview and Questions Both were fundamental in researching the topic. Both were fundamental in researching the topic.