Tate Denham

Hey everyone! 

My name is Tate Denham, I'm a rising senior here at Furman double majoring in economics and Business Finance. I was raised in Tampa, Florida alongside an older brother and twin sisters, who, as you may guess, are all as blonde as me.

Here at Furman, I've been very involved in the Admissions Department, where I facilitate daily campus visits, as well as the Housing Department, where I serve as a support role for a team of Resident Assistants. I'm also involved in the Improv Troupe on campus, the Club Triathlon team, and a school spirit squad called Furman Fanatics!

I was first interested in Greece when I read a book called Boomerang by Michael Lewis, which detailed some of the worlds most interesting economies. Greece was one such economy Lewis had studied, and it caught my eye. The way that Greek culture had influenced their economy really interested me - alongside the incredible amount of tax evasion that was occurring. 

Shortly after reading that, I spoke to Rolyn Rollins at the MayX fair, where she described the Know Thyself MayX with the Cothran Center. I was thrilled to have another chance to join the Cothran center on a retreat, since my sophomore year when they went to Northern Ireland. 

I'm very excited to experience a completely new culture, one that is dramatically different from my own. I look forward to seeing Greek culture and how those inside it operate on a day-to-day basis. I am particularly excited to see how the history of Greece has shaped its current culture, and how ideals from the Roman era have evolved. Some of my specific favorites are seeing the monasteries, the cooking classes, and Olive farms, since these three things deeply resonate with what I care about in a places culture.

In my cup, I have four items. The first is a small brown pebble that appears very glossy, and is incredibly glossy. This rock is one of many I have, this one taken from Acadia National Park. I like to collect rocks from different places I go, and the way this rock feels is just super nice. It reminds me of my family, and the time we would spend in nature together, specifically in Maine. My second item is on the same wavelength - it's a pack of almost 100 business cards that I've been given and collected over time. These cards are very important to me - reminders of experiences I had, great memories I made, as well as connections I keep. I never throw a card away, and always have some kind of story behind them.

Next, I have a small black bandana which has the Spartan Logo printed on it, as well as a number. This headband was given to me when I ran my first spartan race with my dad. Being outside and staying active are very important to me, and my father was a big reason as to why. He encouraged me to become a runner, and since has run many races alongside me. 

The last object I have is a small container of duck-shaped paperclips. A friend whom I don't talk to very often anymore gave them to me, but they are still super important to me. I try to take life a little less seriously, and these help bring a smile to both others, and my own faces.

Looking forward to an awesome May!

Tate Denham