Alumni Awards 2022

Providing Leadership Around the World: Lander Recognizes Three Outstanding Alumni

It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to recognize our alumni for the good work they do in their communities,” Lander University President Richard Cosentino said during Lander’s annual Alumni Awards Ceremony in October.

The program was held at the conclusion of Lander’s week of Homecoming festivities, which included a score of activities for students, social gatherings for alumni and a tailgating event Saturday morning. Several events, including the awards reception, paid special tribute to the University’s Sesquicentennial—celebrating 150 years of preparing graduates for lives of leadership and service.

“This year’s alumni awards are particularly special, because they come at a time when we celebrate Lander turning 150 years old,” said Cosentino. “These alumni are not only ambassadors of Lander University. They exemplify how a Lander education has empowered generations of students to lead productive lives around the world.” 

Each year, the Lander University Alumni Association recognizes one alumnus or alumna who has displayed a deep love for Lander through exemplary service with the Grace Iler Norman Alumni Service Award—the association’s highest honor. Sharon Adams was nominated by one of her classmates for regularly coordinating class reunions, and for leading efforts to create a scholarship in honor of the Class of 1965.

After finishing her degree in history, Adams served as a teacher for 32 years in Spartanburg County School District 2 and as a volunteer for several civic organizations, including two terms on the Lander Alumni Association Board of Directors. Her nominators remarked that Adams is well known for “always singing the praises of Lander and what it meant to her.”

Since retiring from teaching, she is now a world traveler. Recent trips abroad include excursions in Europe, Thailand, and a special trip to Hong Kong to visit one of her former students. Her retirement has also given her the chance to stay connected with Lander classmates. “Keeping in touch and organizing class meetings in Columbia for lunch is such a pleasure,” she said.

 By Graham Duncan