News Releases

What's green, made of steel and named after a 90-year-old woman? Hint: "She" won first place in the sculpture division at the 37th annual juried exhibit at Carolina Gallery in Spartanburg. Give up? It's "Lucille," a creation of Spartanburg native and newly hired Lander University assistant professor of art Doug McAbee.

Since 2003, Lander University's Department of Music has been featuring a young pianist each year as part of its Emerging Keyboard Artist Recital. Initiated by Drs. Anthony and Marianne Lenti, Lander professors emeritus of music, the recital has showcased performers such as Denis Plutalov of Russia, Thomas Chiron of France, Paul Gillies of the United States, Hsin'I Huang of Taiwan and Yoana Kyurkchieva of Bulgaria.

In September, 55 social studies teachers from the Lakelands area received a sneak preview of what they can look forward to as participants in the new Teaching American History in the Lakelands program, which is being funded by a $991,000 grant from the Federal Government. Open to 3rd-, 4th-, 5th-, 8th- and 11th-grade social studies teachers in Greenwood, Laurens, Abbeville and McCormick County school districts, the program's goal is to provide teachers with extensive knowledge of various periods in American History, while also providing guidance in teaching methods and lesson planning.

The Josephine B. Abney Cultural Center Auditorium will come to life at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12, when Lander University's Wind Ensemble takes the stage for its first concert of the season. It will be the 10th such concert for principal trumpet player Gregg Hinton, a junior music education major from Laurens, who also plays with Lander's Brass Ensemble and pep band.

Lander University was among the schools across the country chosen to participate in a conference call with U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday, an event that gave student journalists an opportunity to question to him. Mistie Hart of Laurens, a senior mass communication major and editor of the student newspaper, The Forum, sat by the phone waiting for her chance to pose a question to Obama. The president took questions from students at four schools but time ran out on the conference call before Hart had a chance to speak with him.

Occasionally scholars develop a love for a period of history or literature at a very early age and that interest blossoms into a lifetime of research. Such is the case with Lander University assistant professor of English Dr. Lillian Craton.

Is it possible to be a people person, yet hold people to a high standard? Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert, Lander University's new dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, would say yes.

Over the years Greenwood-Lander Performing Arts has maintained a tradition of broadening horizons for young minds through the offering of professional theatrical and musical productions. In the same vein, this year the organization took part in a collaboration with Lander University's Department of Art that provided practical experience for university graphic design students.

While ticket sales help, Greenwood-Lander Performing Arts would not be able to provide quality productions and outreach programs without sponsorship from area businesses and individual donors. Recently Walmart presented a check for $2,000 to GLPA for use with the organization's outreach program.

It's no stretch to say that the voices of students published in New Voices, Lander University's journal of student nonfiction, are being heard.

Lander assistant professor of music Robert Kelley was a featured speaker at a Piccolo Spoleto event covered by The New York Times.

A scholarship honoring jazz great Bix Beiderbecke has been established at Lander University.

Each year Lander University's Department of Art gives students the opportunity to showcase their best work in an annual juried exhibition in the university's Monsanto Gallery. Winners of Lander's 20th Annual Juried Student Exhibition were announced at the exhibit's opening in April.

Under Dr. Paul Criswell's direction Lander University choral students have performed throughout South Carolina and beyond, including Wesley Commons in Greenwood and the Biltmore House in North Carolina. He also helped music students charter a Lander chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national music fraternity, and he has shared the Lander stage with choral directors and students from high schools across the state, including Greenwood High School, Dorman High School and Strom Thurmond High School.

Nine Lander University students will spend the fall 2010 semester studying at foreign universities as part of Lander's Study Abroad Program.

Family and friends gathered at Lander University on April 22 to witness the spring induction of 40 Lander students into the university's Alpha Chi National College Honor Scholarship Society.

Lander University was well represented when the South Carolina Historical Association held its annual meeting in March at the Department of Archives and History in Columbia. Four students, five current and retired faculty members and a Lander graduate attended, and some had leading roles in the meeting.

Lander University student Andi Mills is often found sitting in front of her personal computer in the ground floor atrium of Lander's Carnell Learning Center, her companion, Mr. Tibbs, dozing nearby. Or she can be spotted walking to classes with Mr. Tibbs trotting along at her side. Mills is legally blind. Mr. Tibbs is a yellow Labrador Retriever, a guide dog who, as she puts it, " gets me were I have to be."

Lately when asked a simple question like " How are you," Lander University professor of music Dr. Paul Criswell responds, in his usual humor, with a countdown. For instance, a few weeks ago he might have responded "50 more days." But now that number is much smaller and each day his disposition grows more relaxed and serene. After all, he is retiring at the end of the semester. But Criswell is not moving on without one last chance to amuse and entertain with the power of song.

The names of seven Lander University students will be included in the 2010 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, recognizing their selection as outstanding campus leaders.