Lander University's Board of Trustees has approved a 3.15 percent increase in tuition for the 2014-15 academic year beginning in September. The new tuition for in-state students will be $10,418, an increase of $318. For out-of-state students, tuition goes up $602 to $19,738.
President Daniel Ball described the increase as modest and is in line with other state-supported colleges and universities in South Carolina, and below the cap established by the legislature.
"Any tuition or fee increase at Lander has never been done without due reflection on the impact it has on our students and their families," Ball said, adding, "The increase will allow Lander to continue to operate at the same level of quality services for our students." Trustees also approved increases of 3 percent each for housing and food services fees. It was stated that the higher housing fee is equal to current market rates while the increase in food services fees is a pass-through of actual costs.
The board also approved what was termed a very conservative budget on the expense side for the coming fiscal year. Chair Jack Lawrence said, "The trustees and Lander administrators recognize our responsibility to provide Lander students the best education possible while, at the same time, observing the need to keep expenses under control."
Dr. David Mash, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, presented the board with the names of two faculty members who were nominated by their peers for appointment to endowed professorships.
Associate professor of English Dr. Lillian Craton received the Monica Martin Stranch Endowed Professorship, given to a current full-time tenured or tenure-track Lander faculty member who represents, in an exemplary manner, the university's commitment to teaching and learning. Craton is also the director of Lander's Honor's College.
Dr. Paige Ouzts, associate professor of physics, was selected for the Lander Foundation Endowed Professorship. Mash said the award is given to a tenured faculty member who exemplifies Lander's commitment to scholarly and creative activity, and has a history of providing quality teaching and service to the university and the community. Ouzts also leads Lander's Enhanced Advising Program.
Four new members were welcomed as Lander trustees. The new additions are Cary Corbitt, of Sea Pines; Claude Robinson, of Greenville; Marcia Thrift Hydrick, of Seneca and Dr. DeWitt Stone Jr., of Clemson.
The Board thanked four members whose terms as trustees ended. They included Ann Bowen, of Greenwood, who served as a Lander trustee for 21 years; John Nicholson; Bob Brimmer and Fred Thrailkill.
The board also extended formal congratulations to Lander's baseball team, whose 52-9 season took them to the Division II College World Series in Cary, N.C ., for the first time in the history of the program. The Bearcats won the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles and the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship.
Trustees congratulated three members of the team who were selected in the recent Major League player draft. Pat Grady was taken by Tampa Bay; Erik Lunde was drafted by Pittsburgh, and Mason McCullough was selected by Arizona.