You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

The Hunt for Golden Medallions

members of phi mu with medallion
Sophomores Emily Mathis, of Columbia, left, and Breann Steadman, of Greenwood, representing the Phi Mu sorority, were first to locate one medallion partially buried on the campus sand volleyball court.

There was a scavenger hunt of sorts at Lander University on Feb. 17 as groups of students scoured the campus, looking for medallions as part of the university's annual homecoming week activities.

Personnel in the Office of Student Activities planted the medallions in three locations on campus, and student groups were given two hours to search for and find them. As it turned out, all three were located within 45 minutes.

Teams from the Phi Mu sorority found two of them. Breann Steadman, of Greenwood, a sophomore majoring in early childhood education, and sophomore Emily Mathis, of Columbia, a visual arts major, were first, finding one partially hidden in the campus sand volleyball court.

taylor burkholder
Phi Mu member Taylor Burkholder, a sophomore from Spartanburg, found a medallion in front of one of the Lander signs at the Montague Avenue main entrance.

The second medallion was spotted by Taylor Burkholder, of Spartanburg, a freshman nursing major. It was in the greenery near one of the Lander University signs at the main entrance on Montague Avenue.

The third medallion was all but obscured by pine needles on the steps of Lander's amphitheater, where it was discovered by two sharp-eyed members of Zeta Tau Alpha: Erika Zito, a junior exercise science major from Sumter, and freshman nursing major Rachel Cothran, of Anderson.

members of zeta tau alpha with medallion
Junior Erika Zito, of Sumter, left, and freshman Rachel Cothran, of Anderson, spotted a medallion peeking out of pine needles on the steps of the Lander amphitheater.

Student teams were led in their search by clues that the Student Activities office emailed to them at the start of the event. Teams that found medallions were awarded 10-points each to add to their overall scores for participating in Homecoming events.