April 30, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Bearing only a generic name for over 50 years, Furman's baseball stadium on Saturday will be dedicated as John T. and Gloria Latham Baseball Stadium in ceremonies beginning at 5:20 p.m. prior to Furman's Southern Conference home game against Davidson.

The first athletic venue completed on Furman's then-new campus in 1956, the facility is named in memory of distinguished Greenville dermatologist Dr. John T. Latham, Sr., and his wife, Gloria Kirkland Latham, by their son Dr. Tom Latham `70 and his wife, Gina. Tom was a three-year baseball letterman and member of Furman's 1969 Southern Conference championship and NCAA Tournament team. He was named all-conference as an outfielder in 1970.

After graduating from Furman with a degree in biology, Tom went on to medical school at Vanderbilt University and today is president of Upstate Pathology in Greenville. A long-time member of Furman's Advisory Council, he and Gina, in addition to the $1 million naming gift for Latham Stadium, consisting of current and deferred gifts, have supported Furman through baseball scholarships and other benefactions, including the production of Shakespeare lectures by Furman's revered dean emeritus, John H. Crabtree.

Furman president Dr. David Shi will welcome guests to the ceremony. Following the plaque unveiling by Katherine and Hayden Latham, granddaughters of John T. and Gloria Latham, Furman head baseball coach Ron Smith will make closing remarks.