A Lifetime of Lessons: Revered history professor and sustainability advocate retires after four decades at Furman

When Marian Strobel makes her annual trek to her family home in northern New York, she brings her luggage, and a trunkful of recyclables.

Since glass recycling isn’t offered locally, she decided taking her load of glass with her was the next best option.

Her commitment to sustainability is one reason William Montgomery Professor of History Emerita Marian Strobel keeps coming back to the Shi Institute year after year as a Faculty Affiliate. Though she is technically retired as of July 31, Strobel said she plans to continue to support the Shi Institute’s work through the Affiliates program.

“I like the fellowship of it,” said Strobel, who is finishing her 43rd year at Furman. “It’s been a way to be friends with people from completely different disciplines and talk about issues that are important.”

Strobel will also continue to teach two classes this fall, including a first-year writing seminar entitled, “Can We Make Sense of the 60s?” The class will discuss Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring,” which showed the effects of pesticides in the environment.

“I am especially interested in researching the conservation/environmental efforts of the Kennedy Administration in the early 1960’s, and especially of JFK’s tour of the West in September 1963—shortly before his death,” said Strobel.  “Curiously, he ended up abandoning his message on the environment in favor of Cold War matters!”

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Furman and to sustainability, Marian! We appreciate you!