Lander University junior Lauren Strickland is this year's recipient of a $2,140 scholarship, funded annually by the Greenwood Woman's Club.
Strickland, an early childhood education major, was chosen by The Lander Foundation from multiple candidates who met the selection criteria. She was recognized March 8 by the Woman's Club at its ninth annual fashion show and luncheon.
The money will fund part of Strickland's spring and fall semesters, and came as a complete surprise to her.
"It was so unexpected - I didn't know anything about this scholarship until I got an email one day informing me that I had won it for this year," Strickland said. "So I feel honored and privileged, and this money will help me finish school and become a teacher, which I have dreamed about my whole life."
The Woman's Club scholarship was started in 2005 after deciding that maintaining their clubhouse was no longer feasible. Members donated the building to the Lander Foundation and had money left over to use.
"After we donated the clubhouse, it was decided to use our remaining funds to establish a scholarship at Lander for a deserving student from the Greenwood area," said Janice Elliott, past president and event organizer for the Greenwood Woman's Club.
The amount of the scholarship varies each year, and has continued to grow due to the fundraising efforts of the Woman's Club.
"To date, we've raised more than $53,000 since the scholarship was started," said club president Jackie Hall, "and I hope that in the future we can continue to increase the amount each year."
After Strickland showed her appreciation to club members by singing a song to kick off the luncheon, all members were then treated to the show "Fashions For All Generations," by Three Generations Boutique of Simpsonville.
"Women in Greenwood look forward to this special luncheon every year," said Myra Greene, Alumni Affairs director for Lander. "It's a lot of fun and benefits a deserving student, and we appreciate all the Greenwood Woman's club does to support Lander and its students."