By admin 
Drive ‘Green Day’ To Honor Furman President
The Greenville Drive has named Furman University President Elizabeth Davis as the honoree at its annual Green Day celebration.
Read more Two eclipses are coming this August. What to know about the celestial show
Presented by TD Bank, the event will take place Aug. 5 at Fluor Field in Downtown Greenville.
Green Day was established during the Drive’s first season in 2006 to celebrate Greenville’s unofficial birthday. The city was founded 195 years ago.
The evening is a way for the Drive, city officials and the community to honor everything that makes Greenville special.
The anniversary ceremony also pays tribute to the official Green Day Honoree – a person chosen because of their vision, leadership and impact on the community.
Davis has served as Furman’s president for 12 years and recently announced that she will retire in May, the end of the next academic year.
“We are incredibly honored to name Dr. Elizabeth Davis as our 2026 Green Day honoree,” said Greenville Drive owner and Chairman Craig Brown. “Her collaborative leadership, community-focused vision at Furman University and lifelong dedication to excellence perfectly reflect the spirit of our community.”
Under Davis’ leadership, Furman has become a model for innovative education. Just two years into her presidency, the university earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report Most Innovative Schools – National Liberal Arts Colleges, a peer-reviewed distinction Furman has held since. It currently ranks No. 11.
Legacy of Growth
Furman University is celebrating its 200th year during 2026, so Davis will guide the university into its third century.
A program that defines Davis’ tenure and the student experience is The Furman Advantage, a pipeline of talent and resources that benefits organizations in the Greenville area. Furman students engage in local research, nonprofit internships and community health advocacy to drive tangible social and economic development.
She also guided the university’s Clearly Furman campaign, which recently surpassed its fiscal goal by raising over $500 million. The campaign is a reason Furman received an A+ rating in the 2026 edition of the Forbes College Financial Grades, which evaluates the operational soundness and balance sheet of more than 900 private, nonprofit colleges.
Furman is preparing to welcome more than 700 incoming freshmen this semester – the largest incoming class in a decade.
“True leadership and community-building are never solitary endeavors; they are shared pursuits,” Davis said. “The City of Greenville has become the outstanding community it is today by the collective efforts of many men, women, and organizations working together for decades toward its common good. To be recognized as one of them is, indeed, an honor.”
Past Green Day Winners
2006: The late Mayor Max Heller and wife, Trude, both Holocaust refugees
2007: Lillian Brock Flemming, Greenville City Councilwoman for four decades
2008: Xanthene Norris, longtime Greenville County Councilwoman
2009: The late Dr. Tom Barton, president of Greenville Technical College
2010: The late C. Dan Joyner, founder of C. Dan Joyner Realtors
2011: Merl Code, the first African American municipal court judge in Greenville
2012: Dick Riley, former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education
2013: The late Dr. Virginia Uldrick, founder of the Governor’s School for the Arts
2014: The late Tommy Wyche, pioneering environmentalist and attorney
2015: The late Hayne Hipp and wife, Anna Kate, instrumental in the building of Liberty Bridge in Falls Park
2016: David Glenn, founder of Centennial American Properties
2017: Joe Erwin, co-founder of Erwin Penland and founder of Greenville Triumph Soccer Club
2018: Bob Hughes, CEO of Hughes Development Corp.
2019: Stewart Spinks, philanthropist and founder of Spinx stores
2020: The late Mary Duckett, grassroots civil rights advocate
2021: Knox White, current and eight-term Mayor of Greenville
2022: Dr. Burke Royster, Greenville County Schools Superintendent and CEO
2023: William Bradshaw, founder of Bradshaw Automotive Group
2024: Carl Sobocinski, founder of Table 301 Hospitality and co-founder of euphoria festival
2025: Greenville Drive Fans
Details, Fireworks, Wear Green
Gates to Fluor Field will open at 5:45 p.m. A ceremony honoring Davis and her contributions will be held before the game; Davis will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
Fans are encouraged to wear green to create a “green out” at the ballpark.
The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a complimentary, custom Green Day T-shirt, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a Green Day cape, all courtesy of presenting partner TD Bank.
A fireworks show will cap off the evening after the game.
For tickets and information about Green Day, go to GreenvilleDrive.com.
The Greenville Drive is the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Fluor Field was designed to resemble the Red Sox’s Fenway Park. The stadium welcomes an average of 500,000 guests each year for baseball games and community events.
Upstate Volunteer Receives Order Of The Palmetto
The Chair of the Noble Tree Foundation and past-Chair of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education, Anne Perrin Flynn, has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
Flynn has spent more than 45 years in volunteer leadership for nonprofits in South Carolina. Her focus has been on conservation, gardening, education and health care.
The Order of the Palmetto was established in 1971 by then-Gov. John West to recognize “a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national or statewide scale.”
“Business, political or personal accomplishment may be important factors, but noble works for others mark the true purpose,” concludes the description of the award, given by Gov. Henry McMaster.
The award was presented by Flynn’s oldest grandchild, Lucy.
“To say that I was stunned would be an understatement,” Flynn said. She said she is honored to be recognized.
“Once you see how much you have been given, you can’t help but want to give back,” she said.
“I’ve always said that leadership is measured not by titles, but by service. Not by recognition, but by the lives we touch. That’s what I’ve tried to do for the people of South Carolina and the state that I love – get involved, stay involved and make the community a better place.”
Flynn grew up in Spartanburg. She graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Virginia, then she settled in Charleston as a real estate paralegal and met her late husband, attorney Lawrence E. Flynn Jr.
They moved to Spartanburg County to raise their family.
Flynn has served The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America; South Carolina Mother of the Year Selection Committee; Vera Davis Parson Garden Club; Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, Arboretum Adventures Series Program, and Cultivating Conversations Series for the School of Horticulture at Spartanburg Community College; Spartanburg Regional Foundation; and Charles Lea Foundation.
She was the first woman to chair the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education, which advises and supports the Upstate campuses of the University of South Carolina.
She has received the Boots & Pearls Woman of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of South Carolina–Mountains to the Midlands; Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year from The Association of Fundraising Professionals Piedmont Chapter; Mary H. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change from the Spartanburg County Foundation; Elaine T. Freeman Award for Exceptional Commitment to the Charles Lea Center; and Women United Leadership Award from United Way of the Piedmont.
In 2017, she was named to the Roll of Honor by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of South Carolina.
Disability Expo Offers Professionals, Resources
More than 1,000 individuals, families and professionals are expected to attend the free Disability Resource Expo on Aug. 23 at the Greenville Convention Center.
The expo will connect community members with more than 115 local and statewide organizations that provide services across the lifespan of disability, from early intervention to adult services and employment.
The nonprofit, Bridged, has hosted the Disability Resource Expo since 2024. The presenting sponsor is the S.C. Developmental Disabilities Council.
The expo is designed for individuals with disabilities, families and caregivers, educators and professionals.
The Disability Resource Expo is from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Convention Center, 1 Exposition Drive. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at bridgedsc.org/expo.
“Resources are one of the most impactful things for families trying to navigate a world for their children with disabilities,” said Valarie Bishop, Director of the Developmental Disabilities Council.
“We often get calls from families who have no idea where to look for options to meet the needs of their child or adult family member,” she said.
Amy Hibbs, co-founder of Bridged, said families often feel isolated.
“They don’t know what resources exist, where to start, or who to trust. The expo changes that. In one afternoon, attendees connect with vetted organizations, ask real questions, and leave with a plan,” Hibbs said.
Read more Fires on more than 250,000 acres of Washington state prompt evacuations
Bridged is a nonprofit organization that aims to create disability-inclusive communities by empowering parents, educators and students to navigate challenges.
The organization delivers hands-on training, parent education, school programming and faith-based programs.
“We’ve designed this for everyone,” said Allison Huffstutler, co-founder of Bridged. “Whether your child was just diagnosed, you’re planning for adulthood, or you’re an educator looking to better support students, there’s something here for you.”
In addition to local and state resources, the expo will feature professionals to answer questions, family-friendly activities, a quiet room, and free and accessible parking.
Registration is required at bridgedsc.org/expo.
The Drive Kicks Off TD SYNNEX Share the Magic
TD SYNNEX Share the Magic started its fundraising season recently as the Drive welcomed families from local nonprofits that benefit from the annual campaign.
Before the baseball game at Fluor Field, children and adults representing five nonprofit organizations took part in the Charity Family Parade, activities and the honorary first pitch.
Beneficiaries of TD SYNNEX Share the Magic are A Child’s Haven, Clement’s Kindness, Make-A-Wish South Carolina, Pendleton Place, and the Meyer Center for Special Children.
Share the Magic will benefit the Meyer Center for the first time, as the inaugural President’s Choice Charity. Staff members at TD SYNNEX will nominate nonprofits, and the Share the Magic South Carolina Committee will select one of them each year as the President’s Choice Charity.
“Tonight was everything TD SYNNEX Share the Magic is about: families coming together to celebrate community. Seeing hundreds of children from our partner charities walk that field is a moment none of us will forget,” said Jessica McDowell, Senior Vice President of North America Marketing and Digital Customer Success, TD SYNNEX.
Day at the Drive is the first of four Share the Magic events in the Upstate. Next, TD SYNNEX co-workers and partners will take to the greens for the Golf Tournament at The Preserve at Verdae on Aug. 10.
The marquee event for the 16th Annual Share the Magic Celebration will take place Oct. 10 at the Greenville Convention Center. The Share the Magic calendar in South Carolina will close with the BMW Driving Experience at the BMW Performance Center in Greer on Nov. 7.
The four events benefit the five charities, with checks presented at the end of the year.
During the fundraiser’s history, TD SYNNEX Share the Magic chapters have raised $32 million, including $26 million in South Carolina.
Share the Magic was created by Peter Larocque, retired President of North America for TD SYNNEX, to support charities focused on children’s needs, wellness and the digital divide. Since its founding in Greenville in 2011, Share the Magic chapters have been established in Canada, California, Florida and Illinois.
TD SYNNEX is a global distributor, solutions aggregator, and original design and contract manufacturer that plays a role in connecting the technology ecosystem.
The company supports more than 150,000 customers in over 100 countries with an edge-to-cloud portfolio spanning cybersecurity, analytics, artificial intelligence, mobility, and Everything-as-a-Service.
The business has headquarters in Florida and California; the Greenville location employs more than 1,000 people.
Greenville Symphony Names Board Members
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra is welcoming nine new members to its Board of Directors and has named officers for the 2026-27 season.
The board members, who begin their terms in August, will provide governance and guidance to support the symphony’s artistic, educational and community engagement work.
Six people were elected at the annual meeting in June: Abraham Cox, Dr. Cheryl Garrison, Annmarie Higgins, Rebecca Lever, Wallace Lightsey and Sydney Shadrix. Musician representatives, Wendy Cohen and Catherine Crowe, were chosen by the orchestra; Anne Marie Ashworth will represent the Symphony Social Club and lead the symphony’s emerging leaders cohort.
“The Greenville Symphony is fortunate to be supported by leaders who believe deeply in the role this orchestra plays in the cultural life of Greenville and the Upstate,” said Jessica Satava, Executive Director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
“This incoming class brings wide-ranging professional expertise, civic experience and a genuine enthusiasm for our mission. Their perspectives will be invaluable as we continue expanding the ways people experience and connect with the symphony,” she said.
New board member, Cox, is Chief Consumer and Small Business Banking Officer at United Community; Garrison, Executive Director of the Greenville Chamber Foundation and Vice President of Talent and Leadership for the Greenville Chamber; Higgins, Chief People Officer at PAI Pharma and founder of ACH Catalyst; Lever, a retired Duke Energy executive; Lightsey, an attorney with the Wyche firm and a former member and officer of the symphony’s Board of Trustees; Shadrix, an anchor and reporter with WYFF News 4; Cohen, a flutist with the Greenville Symphony and a real estate agent; Crowe, a violinist with the Greenville Symphony; and Ashworth, a financial advisor at Abacus Planning Group.
The Greenville Symphony also named officers: President, Kasel Knight; Vice President, Margaret Jenkins; Secretary, Allison Foy; and Treasurer, Christopher Nicholas.
“As we enter the 2026-27 season, our board is focused on supporting artistic excellence, responsible stewardship and meaningful connections with audiences across the Upstate,” Knight said.
“Together, we look forward to helping the Greenville Symphony continue to grow and serve our community through music,” she said.
Board members completing their six-year terms are Matthew Couvillion, Susan Bichel, George Fletcher, Gene Gibson, Mary Burnet Johnston, Diane Perlmutter and Sue Priester.
The departing members guided the symphony through the COVID-19 pandemic and a national search for a new music director. Bichel and Perlmutter served as interim executive directors before Satava joined the organization.
Music Director Lee Mills is entering his third season.
Satava said directors finishing their terms “helped the Greenville Symphony navigate extraordinary challenges while positioning the organization for a strong future.”
The symphony’s 2026-27 season is “Common Ground,” an exploration of melodies, rhythms and stories that connect people across cultures and generations. The season opens Sept. 26 and 27 with Mozart’s Requiem at Peace Concert Hall.
For information about the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, which is entering its 79th year, go to greenvillesymphony.org.
Simpsonville Celebrates 125th With Block Party
The Spark Fest Founders Day Festival will celebrate the city’s 125th anniversary with two free community events: an Art & History showcase and a block party.
The Spark Fest Founders Day Festival Block Party, a free outdoor celebration for the community, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at Gracely Park, 100 Park Drive.
The event will feature music, food, vendors, small businesses and art. DJ and emcee B. Folks will perform. Food trucks and dessert stations will be part of the evening.
For information, find discoverSimpsonville on Facebook.
The Spark Fest Art & History Exhibition: Celebrating a 125-Year Legacy of Creators and Innovators is a free public showcase from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 10 to 14. The event will feature historical artifacts, vintage photographs, town timelines, and fine art submitted by Upstate creators in honor of the city’s milestone.
The Art & History showcase will be inside the Simpsonville Arts Center, 110 Academy St. It is co-presented by the Simpsonville Arts Foundation and the Simpsonville Arts Center. For information, check the event page on Facebook.
Simpsonville’s founder, Peter Simpson, was a craftsman, innovator and entrepreneur.
In The Know is compiled and edited by Kathy Laughlin, [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Green Day at Fluor Field, Simpsonville Block Party, Disability Expo, Volunteer Receives Order of Palmetto – In The Know 8-2
Read more Trump says he is canceling strikes on Iran, pending a rapid deal
Reporting by Kathy Laughlin, Marketplace Greenville / Greenville News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect