Furman University operates today as a fully secular institution, though it maintains a rich historical heritage rooted in its founding by the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1826. While the university historically maintained formal ties with the church, those institutional connections were officially severed in 1992, transitioning Furman into a completely independent, non-sectarian liberal arts university. Today, the campus welcomes students, faculty, and staff from all religious faiths and secular backgrounds, fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse philosophical perspectives while preserving its historical motto emphasizing ethical learning.