In His Own Words...Daniel Leagans

Daniel Leagans, a Senior at Furman University has been a Counselor with Bridges since his Freshman year. He was first introduced to the program through his brother Joel who also served as a Bridges counselor for four summers! In addition to his academic success, Daniel is a member of the Furman Football team. Last week there was a really nice article in the Sports section of The Greenville News about Daniel and his integral role on the Football team. The interviewer began to ask Daniel a series of questions regarding his experiences outside of Football. Below is an excerpt of the article written for The Greenville News by Willie T. Smith III.

A business administration major, Leagans has found a passion off the football field. Since coming to the school he has participated in a campus mentoring program geared toward at-risk high school students called "Bridges To A Brighter Future."

"It is an enrichment program for Greenville County high school kids," said Leagans, a Ware Shoals native. "It teaches them the importance of a college education and that college is feasible for them because a lot of them come from bad economic situations, lower income, and a lot of them have family problems.

"The students participate in a four-week program at Furman during the summer. They take classes during the day. Then, after the classes is when myself and other counselors have activities with them such as sports, acting and stuff like that."

On weekends, the counselors take the students on fun trips such as bowling. They also take part in community service projects. Leagans has been taking part in the program since his freshman year and has enjoyed it so much he is considering participating again this summer even though he already will have earned his degree.

"It has been amazing, the most meaningful experience of my life," he said. "We try to develop the kids, but what we find out is they teach us more than we can ever teach them."

Daniel with two of the students he has mentored through Bridges to a Brighter Future.