Furman University Receives Major Award from Case

GREENVILLE, SC – January 23, 2009 – Furman University has received the Creative Partnership Award from District III of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in recognition of the unique partnership that led to the construction of the Cliffs Cottage on campus.

The Cliffs Cottage, Southern Living’s first “green” Showcase Home, is a model of environmentally responsible design, sustainable building materials and energy-saving systems.  Located near the Bell Tower and the amphitheater, the house was completed in June of 2008 and is currently open to the public for tours.

In addition to Furman, the principal partners in the project are Southern Living, The Cliffs Communities, Duke Energy and Bank of America.

The award recognizes the “partnership projects between private businesses/organizations and educational institutions that result in creative solutions to advancement issues.” Only one award is made annually.  Furman and the other partners will be recognized at the annual CASE III Conference awards dinner in Atlanta Feb. 8-11.

From the bamboo flooring to the solar panels in the roof, the 3,400-square-foot Cliffs Cottage has the latest technological innovations in sustainable living.  The home will remain open through the summer of 2009 and then be retrofitted as the university’s Center for Sustainability, which will provide office and meeting space for the university’s sustainability initiatives.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in London and Singapore, CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information, and standards in the fields of education fund raising, communications, and alumni relations.  The CASE III members represent colleges, universities and other educational institutions in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

For more information, contact Furman’s News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.