Lander University recently honored its co-curricular standouts for the 2011-12 school year, presenting student life awards to the university's top students and student organizations. The awards were announced during Lander's annual Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony.
Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball presented senior mass communication major Kirsten Stewart with the prestigious President's Award, given annually in recognition of unique exemplification of the ethic of service to the university community.
A Spartanburg resident, Stewart is a Presidential Ambassador and has played on the Lander volleyball team. In addition to working in the President's Office, Stewart has spent time as a volunteer with Relay for Life, March of Dimes, AmeriCorps and The Haven Shelter. She "has consistently demonstrated a love of learning and a love of Lander University," Ball said during the presentation.
Lander's Man and Woman of the Year awards were presented to junior Rhett Sapough, a business administration major from Clarkesville, Ga., and Laurens resident Megan McCartney, a senior early childhood education major.
Sapough is a member of Presidential Ambassadors, the Lander Professional Business Society, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Chi Alpha Omega, the Student Government Association and the Blue Key Honor Society. Earlier this year, he was elected Lander's Homecoming King.
McCartney is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, the Palmetto State Teacher's Association, Blue Key Honor Society, Chi Sigma, National Panhellenic Council, Co-curricular Committee, Residence Hall Association and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. A resident assistant and Presidential Ambassador, she served as Lander's 2010 Homecoming Queen.
Greek Man and Woman of the Year awards were presented to junior athletic training major Kenneth Peppers, of Greenwood, and senior nursing major Paige Kight, of Florence.
Peppers is a member of Alpha Tau Omega, in which he serves as social service chairman. As a member of ATO, he has volunteered with numerous community organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Kight, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, is also a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and the Lander University Student Nurses Association. She has volunteered with organizations such as the Immanuel Lutheran Church Soup Kitchen and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Other awards presented during the ceremony were: