During Homecoming 1969, The University of Hartford welcomed an act that was just getting started. Formed in 1967, Chicago went on to achieve worldwide success, producing 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. The UHart student who brought them to campus was Peter Furman ‘69.
Peter Furman ’69, a Barney School of Business graduate, is the son of Aaron Furman, a self-made immigrant. Inspired by his father’s success, Peter Furman worked hard to achieve career success in finance and investment.
Furman grew up in Long Island, New York and attended Roslyn High School. He was the first from his high school to attend the University of Hartford, but fondly recalls many students following him in the years afterward. Furman, also known as “Fast Furman”, was an athlete, fraternity brother, and active student on campus during the late-60's.
Furman was a brother in the Theta Chi fraternity and elected Homecoming Chairman in the fall of 1969. He still has the receipt showing the University paying $500 to Chicago to play for the Homecoming dance. At the time, students only paid $2 for a ticket to attend the concert. In addition to an incredible show, the University raised over $2,000 from the concert, which went on to support additional student activities that year.
Active in the Interdormitory Council, Furman also participated in anti-war protests on campus and helped to bring prominent speakers to campus as well, including Jerry Clyde Rubin, an anti-war and counterculture icon in the late-60's.
Furman achieved some success on the athletic fields as well, playing football, soccer, and baseball, and serving, at times, as an announcer for the men’s basketball program. He volunteered locally with the Children’s Village and was even runner-up for the “Phi-Sigma Guy” contest. When he looks back at his time at the University, he feels he “grew up” at Hartford. What he learned here went on to serve him well throughout his career.
After a long career at Bear Stearns, Furman is still working in investing through his own business. He resides in Clermont, Georgia.