Lander University has named Jack W. Lawrence, retired member of the Lander University Board of Trustees, as trustee emeritus. The announcement was made at the board's virtual meeting on March 9.
A retired family law attorney and resident of Spartanburg, Lawrence served as a member of Lander University's Board of Trustees for 16 years until his retirement in 2020. He served as chair from 2013 to 2017, and led the board through the process that culminated in the hiring of Dr. Richard Cosentino as Lander's 12th president in 2015.
In addition to thanking Lawrence for his service to the University, the Board also thanked him and his family for their "many generous gifts to the Lander University Foundation, including the establishment of the Jack and Daughty Lawrence Endowed Scholarship, and contributions to a multitude of funds, including the Bearcat Club, the Excellence Fund, and most recently, the Lander Student Crisis Fund."
Lawrence, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Wofford College in 1965, and a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968, called the board's recognition of him "a true honor, and it means so much. Being on this board has been a big experience in my life. We did many things as a board, and amongst the things we did, we were able to hire successfully. Those people we hired then hired other people successfully, and as a result, I think Lander is as strong now as it has been in a very long time."
The best thing the Board did during his time as chair, according to Lawrence, "was to hire Rich Cosentino as our new president."
Lawrence called his fellow board members "a fantastic group of people who have made, and are continuing to make, a big difference for Lander University, and I am really proud to have been a part of this group."
Board members were as complimentary of Lawrence as he was of them, with Dr. Peggy Makins '81 referring to his "soothing" manner and exceptional leadership.
"What a blessing he has been to our board," trustee Anne Walker '72 said.
Cosentino thanked Lawrence for his friendship, guidance and support.
"He has been an amazing leader for our institution. He is a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and always paid attention to the issues at hand. It thrills me that our board is honoring him in this way. It is very deserved," he said.