Scholarships

Lander students are eligible to apply for academic scholarships, work-study jobs and loans through the Office of Financial Aid. The Department of Biology also offers several scholarships, including scholarships for freshmen and transfer students.

Departmental scholarships are made available to students majoring in biology through the gifts and generosity of faculty, staff and friends of Lander University.

For general university or state scholarship information visit Lander's Office of Financial Aid. Note: Some scholarships are renewable and may not be available on an annual basis.

Application Process

Eligibility Requirements:
In order to apply for a biology scholarship, a high school student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 24.
• Be admitted to Lander University with a declared major in biology.
• Note: Other criteria may apply. Please see the individual scholarship descriptions.

All applicants should complete the Biology Scholarship Application and submit it to his/her guidance counselor for a recommendation and evaluation. To have the Biology Scholarship Application sent to you, contact Jamie C. Anderson at janderson@lander.edu. Send completed applications to the following address:

Michael E. Runyan
Chair, Department of Biology
Lander University
CPO Box 6030
320 Stanley Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29649
mrunyan@lander.edu

Application Deadline:

• In order to receive full consideration, applications and supporting documents must be received (postmarks cannot be honored) by March 1.
• Late applications may be considered, however priority will be given to those applications received prior to the March 1 deadline.
• Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Biology and awards will be announced by early April.

Scholarships for Freshmen Include:

• Elizabeth Adams Scholarship – Established in 1999 by the family in memory of Elizabeth Adams, Class of 1937. The scholarship is to be initially awarded to a freshman science major planning to teach. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Alumni Association Scholarship – The Lander University Alumni Association provides a $500 scholarship each year for a biology major with academic ability and financial need. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a Biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Jo Marie Bryan Scholarship – Established by friends and family in memory of Jo Marie Bryan, Class of 1987. Awarded to an entering freshman majoring in biology. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Jane Farmer Fox Scholarship – Established in 2003 by Dr. Richard Fox in memory of his mother, Jane Fox. One scholarship is awarded annually to a freshman Biology major with an SAT of at least 1100. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Fuji Scholarship – Established in 1992 by Fuji Photo Film, Inc. Awarded each year to an entering freshman. Recipients must be graduates of a public or private high school in Greenwood County. Recipients who are majoring in the sciences or an engineering-related field must be given preference; if no such student exists, the recipient can be a major in any field. Selection will be made by the university primarily on the basis of academic ability, but financial need will also be considered. The scholarship is initially awarded to a freshman and will be renewable for up to three years provided the recipient maintains a GPA of at least 3.0 and remains a science major.
• Nell Henry Scholarship – Established in honor of Professor Nell Q. Henry by Mrs. Harmon W. Caldwell (M. Gwendolyn Burton), class of 1938. Awarded to an entering freshman majoring in biology. Selection is based on high school academic achievement. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• John Perkins Barratt/Margaret Leonard Park Scholarship – The scholarship is funded by the Mary Barratt Park Foundation of Greenwood in memory of the late Mrs. Park's great-grandfather, a 19th-century physician and scientist, and Margaret Leonard Park, a Lander alumna of the 1940s. The scholarship is initially awarded to a freshman and will be renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient maintains a GPA of at least 3.0 and remains a science major. Applicants for the scholarship must make a minimum of 1100 on the SAT (ACT of 24).
• Shelton E. Stewart Scholarship – Established in 1995 by Dr. Mary Francis Lide, professor emeritus, in honor of Dr. Shelton E. Stewart, retired biology professor. Awarded annually to incoming freshman planning to major in biology. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• James Thomas "Tommy" Tollison Scholarship – Established in 2001 in memory of James Thomas "Tommy" Tollison, a Biology graduate, Class of 1979. Applicants for the scholarship must make a minimum of 1100 on the SAT (ACT of 24). Preference will be given to applicants who will major in biology with an emphasis in genetics. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Vereen Scholarship – Established in 1997 by Dr. Larry E. Vereen, Professor of Biology. The scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming freshman majoring in biology. This scholarship is non-renewable.
• Amanda L. Wagoner Scholarship – Established by her family in honor of Amanda Wagoner, class of 2007. One scholarship is awarded annually to a freshman biology major with an SAT of at least 1100. Preference is given to students pursuing a pre-veterinary medicine curriculum. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient remains a biology major with a GPA of at least 3.0.
• The Jerry D. Wilson Scholarship for Excellence in Science – Established in 1995 by Dr. Jerry D. Wilson, faculty emeritus, and his wife, Sandy. A full tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student in either the Department of Biology, Department of Physical Sciences, or the Department of Mathematics and Computing. Selection is based on academic promise and financial need. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years provided the recipient maintains full-time status with a 3.0 GPA with a major in one of the specified disciplines.

Scholarships for Continuing Students Include:

• Lander Science Scholarship Award – Lander Science Scholar Awards are given each year to both freshmen and upper class students who are matriculating through one of the science majors. The faculty in the Department of Biology and the Department of Physical Sciences vote for the most promising students from a list of those enrolled in a degree-awarding science program who have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their science courses, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 overall.
• The Pilot Club Lifeline Scholarship – The Pilot Club of Greenwood South Carolina established in April 2000 an endowed scholarship at Lander University. The scholarship was established in memory of Ida Mae Poore, initiator of the Club's lifeline project; Caroline Beaver, the first chair of the Lifeline Committee; Mary Francis Lide, who worked diligently on this project; and in honor of Doris McKinney and Genevieve Watkins, who served on the first Lifeline Committee and who tirelessly supported its mission. The scholarship is used to encourage students into a field specializing in the treatment of brain disorders. The scholarship will be awarded to an upperclassman (junior or senior) who demonstrates such plans and maintains at least a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship will be continued throughout the Lander University experience provided the student maintains the required GPA.