Lander SPRING 2010
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University Relations and Publications Office 864-388-8329 • www.lander.edu
LANDER MAGAZINE STAFF Megan Price, Editor Dave Lorenzatti, Writer Russell Martin, Writer Kathy Goldsmith, Editorial Assistant Maria Scott, Designer David Hays, Sports Writer Bob Stoner, Sports Writer
LANDER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Steve Grogan ’80, Director of Alumni Affairs Don Scott ’75, President Erin Knapp Layland ’00, Vice President Natalie M. Parramore ’97, Secretary Deloris Sims Carter ’92, Treasurer Angela G. Strickland ’02, Vice President for Young Alumni
LANDER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Daniel W. Ball, President Danny L. McKenzie, Vice President for Academic Affairs James Thomas Covar, Interim Vice President for Business and Administration H. Randall Bouknight, Vice President for Student Affairs J. Adam Taylor, Vice President for University Advancement Jefferson J. May, Athletics Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES L.B. Adams Jr. Ann B. Bowen Bobby M. Bowers Robert A. Brimmer Linda L. Dolny Catherine Lee Frederick Maurice Holloway, Vice Chair Raymond D. Hunt, Chair
Glenn J. Lawhon Jr. Jack W. Lawrence, Secretary Mamie W. Nicholson Sally E. Self George R. Starnes Charles R. Thompson Jr. Fred M. Thrailkill S. Anne Walker Ricci Land Welch
Stock art is provided by istockphoto.com.
It is the policy of Lander University to provide equal educational and employment opportunities to all present and future employees and students regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Lander University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Each year, Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball and wife Marjorie welcome faculty back to campus for a new academic year with a catered reception. The event provides a great opportunity for the president and first lady to catch up with returning faculty and get to know faculty members who are new to campus. Pictured at the reception, Marjorie Ball, center, greets Dr. Andre Lubecke, left, chair of Lander’s Department of Mathematics and Computing, and Dr. David Slimmer, dean of Lander’s College of Science and Mathematics. – Photo by Russell Martin
Growth and New Endeavors The 2009-2010 academic year has been a time of change and new endeavors at Lander University. In the pages of this issue, you’ll read about the significant growth that has taken place at the university over the past months – growth in facilities, growth in enrollment and growth in academic opportunities. In September, the university broke ground on the Jeff May Complex, soon to be home to Lander’s soccer, softball, baseball and tennis programs, and in October, we celebrated the grand opening of the Lander University Equestrian Center, which is serving the community through its therapeutic riding program and academic offerings. You’ll learn more about the academic growth taking place at Lander, including the addition of two new minors: therapeutic horsemanship and musical theatre. You’ll meet the students who are taking Lander across borders through participation in the Honors International Program and mission trips. A new campus radio station, TV program and online version of the student newspaper are expanding Lander’s presence throughout the community – and beyond. As you’ll read, it has been a year of record enrollment, leading the university to expand its housing options to meet the rising demand. It has also been a year of stellar athletic seasons, including another Peach Belt Conference tournament championship for the men’s soccer team and a first-ever NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance by the women’s basketball team. We’ll introduce you to some of the new faces at Lander, including Ralph Patterson, who has taken on the role of director of Development. There are articles on Lander alumni who are using their expertise to change the way we look at health care and education, and there are articles on Lander faculty who are using their experience to change the way we look at literature, photography, and even origami. It’s a new spring season, and – just like the trees and flowers around us – Lander is in full bloom! — Megan Price Editor