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Lander Alumni Association Honors Three Graduates

Sylvia Brooks Grubb, Mark Riddle, and Jon Driggers,
From left, Sylvia Brooks Grubb, '59, of West Columbia; Mark Riddle, '84, of Greenwood; and Jon Driggers, of Banner Elk, N.C.

Lander University's Alumni Association has selected a school nurse, a television producer and an educator to receive its prestigious annual awards.

The honorees are Sylvia Brooks Grubb, '59, of West Columbia; Mark Riddle, '84, of Greenwood; and Jon Driggers, '98, of Banner Elk, N.C.

Grubb was named to receive the Grace Iler Norman Award, recognizing significant achievements within the Alumni Association and the university. Grubb was a member of the first nursing class to graduate from Lander. She worked for more than 35 years as a school nurse for Richland County District 1 and, for 25 of those years, she was coordinator of health services.

She created a comprehensive health screening program for children and, under her guidance, District 1 was the first school district in South Carolina to screen adolescents for scoliosis. In 1999, she was named South Carolina School Nurse of the Year.

She established the Sylvia Brooks Grubb Nursing Scholarship at Lander, explaining that she was the beneficiary of the Self Foundation Scholarship while a student. She credited Lander with giving her the foundation she needed to succeed.

Grubb, who is now retired, said, "I am just thrilled to receive the award. I'm as honored as I can be."

Mark Riddle was selected for the Distinguished Alumni Award, given to Lander graduates who gain distinction in their careers. Riddle became a business owner shortly after graduating and, in 1994, he began a career in television as co-creator of the Emmy Award-winning children's show "Dooley and Pals." He is also co-creator and executive producer of the "New Dooley and Pals," produced by Disney/MGM studios. He recently created and co-produced the "Dooley and Pals Ministry" series aired by TBN and other educational and religious networks worldwide. The executive producer of the new hit "BJ's Bedtime Bible Stories," he continues to develop and help other producers bring faith-based shows to Christian television.

Riddle has been a strong Lander supporter, including serving on the Athletic Department Board. He also sponsors a table and solicits items for the annual Bearcat Auction. He said he is honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. "Lander has always been a big part of my life, playing basketball in the old Barksdale gym as a kid, and then attending and graduating from Lander. In all my business travels, I always love to tell people about Lander University."

Jon Driggers, the Young Alumni Award winner, was an exercise science major from Aiken, a resident assistant, SGA senator, peer educator and recipient of the Lander University President's Award. He has served as dean of students at Coker College and South University-Columbia, and held positions at Clemson University and Erskine College. He is now dean of students at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C.

A 10-year member of the Young Alumni Council, Driggers is also co-chair for Candidate Services for The Placement Exchange, a national partnership promoting job placement for Student Affairs professionals.

He said, "I'm honored to be recognized for the award," and added, "my time at Lander was a wonderful experience and provided me with opportunities and support to develop skills for my career in higher education."

Driggers and his wife, Susan, a 1999 Lander graduate, are the parents of one child, a daughter, Lauren.

The awards will be presented to Grubb, Riddle and Driggers during Lander's Alumni Day luncheon on May 3.