Lander’s College of Arts and Humanities Honors the ‘Winding Road’ of Academic Achievement

GREENWOOD, S.C. — Lander University’s College of Arts and Humanities celebrated academic excellence and creativity during its Honors and Awards Program.

“The students we honor demonstrate persistence and flexibility,” said Dr. Lucan McMillan, the college’s interim dean. “They’ve been reminded that learning, investigation and research are not a straight path, but a winding road.”

And while the journey of learning can be uncomfortable, McMillan said the students are building “the wisdom that a real education prepares you better to ask the right questions than to have the right answers and that coursework of any kind requires you to work with others in teams.”

As he presented the Dean’s Awards, McMillan said the award recipients“embody the values of a liberal arts education through pursuit of learning through coursework, off-campus experiences, campus engagement and seek to take advantage of all that Lander University offers.”

Alyssa Campbell, of North Augusta, and Silas Schiera, of Greenwood, are the 2025 Dean’s Award recipients.

Campbell, an English major, with a professional writing emphasis, is also pursuing minors in chemistry and media and communication. McMillan said Campbell was honored “for her curiosity across disciplines, excellence in academic coursework and leadership in student life.”

McMillan praised Schiera, a music major and a founder of the barbershop quartet, the Barbercats, for his love of music. “Silas has become a skilled player of the cello … built a strong skillset of musicianship as a vocalist in our choirs, playing the tuba in our bands and wind ensemble, and in playing trombone.”

Among the college’s other awards:

Department of Art + Design

Dr. Asma Nazim-Starnes, chair of the Department of Art + Design, presented awards.

• Master of Arts in Teaching Award: Colby Burdette, of Ware Shoals.

• Master of Fine Arts Award: Georgia Ricard, of Saluda.

• Art Education Award: Logan Cooper, of Florence.

• Foundations in Art Award: Alyssa Tegeler, of Blairstown, Iowa.

• Leadership in Art Award: M.G. Morrow, of Epworth.

• Sculpture Award: M.G. Morrow, of Epworth.

• Painting Award: Lauren DaRe, of Summerville.

• Photography Award: Elaina Woodard, of Lexington.

• Ceramics Award: Hope Hardy, of Easley.

• Art Discipline Award: Hope Hardy, of Easley.

• Graphic Design Discipline Award: Brendon Brousseau, of Piedmont.

Scholarships:

• Roxanna Albany Scholarship: Grace Childers, of Simpsonville.

• Carol Brown Scholarship: Maren Penn, of Easley.

• Marie Chisholm Scholarship: Neveah Harter, of Ninety Six, and Karlie Turner, of Greenwood.

• Fine Arts Department Scholarship: Payton McClellan, of Simpsonville.

• Sarah I. Stone Scholarship: Kate Martin and Olivia Martin, both of Anderson.

• Tolbert Family Art Scholarship: Mia Orams, of Greer.

• Carl and Barbara Brock Scholarship: Brandon Simmons, of Sumter.

• Fine Arts Department Scholarship: Maisie Cheek, of Easley.

• Judith Shaw Johnson Art Scholarship: Alyssa Bowen, of Belton.

• Adele Standridge Art Scholarship: Ashton Reid, of Anderson.

• George W. and Lois B. Tingle Art Scholarship: Amber Whetstone, of Lexington.

Department of English and Foreign Languages

Dr. Jeffrey Baggett, chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages, presented awards.

• Alliance Francaise Medal: Conner McKibbon, of Parkton.

• Margaret M. Bryant Humanities Award: Andrew Goforth, of Greenwood.

• Dessie Dean Pitts Humanities Award: Jonathan Campbell, of Pelzer.

• Creative Writing Award: Carly Rogers, of Simpsonville.

• New Voices Art Award: Logan Cooper, of Florence.

• English Discipline Award: Josey Rhynes, of Cheraw.

• French Discipline Award: Laura Guerin, of Greer.

• Spanish Discipline Award: Lizbeth Casarrubias, of Johnston.

Scholarships

• Bob and Deborah Cumming Scholarship: Hallie Burrell, of Jonesville.

• Ann T. Hare English Scholarship: Morgan Griggs, of McBee.

• Larry A. Jackson Scholarship: Durham Hill, of Duncan, and Daviya Smith, of Piedmont.

• L’Alliance Francaise Scholarship: Connor McKibbon, of Parkton, and Daviya Smith, of Piedmont.

• Murrell Jones Huckabee Scholarship: Autumn McDonald, of Anderson.

• W. Pierce May Jr. Scholarship: Bryanna Smith, of Florence.

• Seab Coates and Ruth Ball McEntire English Scholarship: Armani Canty, of Cottageville.

• Pat Sease Scholarship: Hallie Burrell, of Jonesville.

• Tolbert Family Humanities Scholarship: Aubrianna Williamson, of Greenwood.

• World Discover Scholarship: Alexi Noriega, of Abbeville.

• Eleanor M. Mundy Scholarship: Hannah Lovett, of Nichols.

• John A. Hare Scholarship: Amber Tyrol, of Abbeville.

• Leo and Louise McMullin Creative Writing Scholarship: Autumn McDonald, of Anderson.

• Margaret B. Tinsley Scholarship: Autumn McDonald, of Anderson.

• Dr. John Marvin Rast English Scholarship: Laci Newsome, of Piedmont.

• Pat Sease Scholarship: Alayna Butler, of Hodges.

Department of Media and Communication

Dr. Misty Jameson, chair of the Department of Media and Communication, presented awards.

• The Forum Award for Experiential Learning: Holly Tuggle, of Simpsonville.

• LUX Experiential Leaning Award: Killian Cook, of Greenville.

• XLR Award for Experiential Learning: Sara Anglin, of Edgemoor.

• Speech and Performance Award for Experiential Learning: Alyssa Campbell, of North Augusta.

• Audio Dram Club Award for Experiential Learning: Tre China, of Sumter.

• Media and Communication Discipline Award: Tamara Stewart, of Rock Hill.

Scholarships:

• Leo and Louise McMullin Mass Communication Scholarship: Jadyn Carbone, of York.

• Scott Family Endowed Media Communication Scholarship: Jamaya Morris, of Florence.

• Carroll Sexton Communication Scholarship: Seth Cummings, of Simpsonville.

• Bill and Emily Bradford Mass Communication Scholarship: Sheridan Carpenter, of Ridge Spring.

• Harvey E. Jeffreys Theatre Scholarship: Taylor Patterson, of Belton.

Department of Music

Dr. Reed Gallo, chair of the Department of Music, presented awards.

• Turner Music Award: Ethan Richardson, of Greenwood.

• Music Discipline Award: Rebekah Logan, of Greenwood.

Scholarships

• Eula Caudle Bracknell Music Scholarship: Jonathan Mead, of York.

• Suzanne Lander Stone Scholarship: Madison Devore, of Saluda.

• Young/Beaudrot Music Scholarship: Davison Rizzo, of Summerville.

• Nat F. White Scholarship: Gabe Baker, of Columbia; Adriana Johnston, of Spartanburg; Kaylor Smith, of Goose Creek; Lorelai Thompson, of Summerville, and Aiden Wood, of Bluffton.

• Lenna Hall Scholarship: Krystal Rosenbusch, of Pelion.

• Dr. Fay Maria Mitchell Hart Choral Music Scholarship: Benjamin Bagwell, of Greenwood.

• Pete G. Kerhoulas Music Scholarship: Inara Morant, of Columbia, and Abigail Nix, of Duncan.

• John G. and Jayne B. McElrath Scholarship: Benjamin Bagwell, of Greenwood.

• Joyce J. Nickles Music Scholarship: Benjamin Bagwell, of Greenwood.

• Adele Standridge Music Scholarship: Mary Lawson, of Greenwood.

• Suzanne Lander Stone Scholarship: Jay Black, of Greer; Krystal Rosenbusch, of Pelion, and Katie Varn, of Pelion.

• Nat F. White Scholarship: Madison Devore, of Saluda; Samuel Walburn, of Lexington, and Caroline Wessinger, of Pomaria.

• Wilkins Instrumental Music Scholarship: Grace Childers, of Simpsonville.

The College of Arts and Humanities also recognized members of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society. Dr. Lillian Craton and Dr. Rachel Scoggins presented awards to Amber Tyrol, of Abbeville; Sarah Hamson, Luke Johnson and Autumn McDonald, of Anderson; Hannah Turner, of Belton; Armani Canty, of Cottageville; Andrew Goforth, of Greenwood; Alayna Butler, of Hodges; Joshua Neff, of Piedmont; Carly Rogers, of Simpsonville; Saraiya Carr, of Taylors, and Jessie Patton, of Travelers Rest.

McMillan presented Part-Time Faculty Awards to Professor Danea Males, Department of Art, and Dr. Jessica Usherwood, Department of Music.

Dr. Robert Gardiner, a professor of music, was recognized as a retiring faculty member for his 23 years of service at Lander University.

“Dr. Gardiner has served South Carolina as an ambassador and advocate for jazz education to people of all ages,” McMillan said. “We know that this will continue, as well as his love for Lander. For these reasons, we have nominated him to be named Professor Emeritus of Music upon his retirement.”

For more information about the College of Arts and Humanities, visit lander.edu/coah.

About Lander:

Lander University is a comprehensive public university in Greenwood, South Carolina, that focuses on preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. Lander offers high-demand and market-driven programs in business, education, nursing and STEM within a rich liberal arts tradition that equips graduates for responsible participation in their communities and their future careers. For more information, visit www.lander.edu.

CUTLINE: Dr. Lucas McMillan, center, interim dean of Lander’s College of Arts and Humanities, presented the Dean’s Awards to Silas Schiera, left, of Greenwood, and Alyssa Campbell, of North Augusta. Photo byKaren Petit