Steve & Linda Bolton ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Steve Bolton graduated from Lander in 1969 with a degree in sociology. During his senior year at Lander, he won the Hodges Medal for best all-around athlete. He was also president of Lander’s student body and a member of Lander’s first tennis team.

Following his graduation, Bolton began a 21-year career as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He then worked for several defense contractors and was owner of a management and consulting company.

After graduating from Lander, he only returned to Greenwood sporadically, and his “giving to Lander was also sporadic,” he said.

He began to think about doing more as a result of attending his 40th class reunion and “seeing firsthand the growth and progress at Lander.” He said that his late wife, Linda, also “encouraged me to get back involved in Lander life.”

He began by making contributions to the tennis program and The Lander Foundation. Since then, he has served as an active member of the Foundation, the Lander Alumni Association Board, and as a volunteer for many University initiatives.

In 2021, he established the Steve and Linda Bolton Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any major in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, with preference given to first-year students.

The scholarship helped Alexandria Castro, a sociology major from Simpsonville, to enjoy a successful first year at Lander. She made the President’s Honor Roll during the fall of 2021, and the Dean’s List last spring.

Castro said that the scholarship “has definitely helped ease the financial burden of college,” and allowed her to concentrate on her studies.

“It’s also helped reaffirm that I found a major that I enjoy and do well in,” she said.

While unsure of her career path, she said, “I’m currently looking at public relations or an archivist position.” 

By Jeff Lagrone