Lander University will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2025 during the University’s 172nd Commencement Exercises Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Finis Horne Arena. Lander will hold two ceremonies that day, with 475 students expected to take part. Graduates will attend their designated ceremony based on their respective academic colleges.
10 a.m. Ceremony:
2 p.m. Ceremony:
Keynote Address
Dr. Zach Rubin, who was named Lander’s 2025 Distinguished Professor, will address the Class of 2025 during both ceremonies. Rubin, an associate professor of sociology at Lander, and joined the University’s faculty in 2019. He has previously been recognized for his outstanding record of scholarship and was awarded the Junior Faculty Scholar Award in 2022. Since coming to Lander, Rubin has several peer-reviewed journal articles, peer-reviewed teaching resources, book reviews and magazine articles.
Committed to student mentorship and undergraduate research, it was Rubin who organized the 2023 Carolina Undergraduate Social Science Symposium at Lander. This served as an opportunity for students to present their research at an external conference. Further demonstrating his care for Lander’s student body, Rubin has also been a vital leader in the success of the Bear Necessities Food Pantry, which addresses the problem of food insecurity among college students. Rubin has developed valuable ties in the Greenwood community, including with the Food Bank of the Lakelands.
In his nomination for Distinguished Professor, Rubin was praised for his “ability to apply broad and sociological theories into real life experiences of the students,” according to Dr. Franklin Rausch, chair of the Distinguished Professor Committee. “Application of this difficult material is crucial for students to understand these concepts, and Dr. Rubin’s willingness to do this shows his dedication to student success.”
Tickets
Tickets are required to enter Finis Horne Arena. Graduates will receive up to nine (9) tickets for guest seating in the arena during their ceremony. Guests without tickets will be directed to the overflow area, where a livestream of the ceremony will be playing.
The Registrar’s Office will provide printed tickets to each graduate. Please note that these tickets are assigned to specific ceremony times and cannot be exchanged for a different time. Official graduation tickets are only available through the Registrar’s Office, and virtual/online tickets are not valid for entry to the arena.
Guest Arrival
Doors to Horne Arena will open one (1) hour prior to each ceremony, and will close 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is not reserved. It is recommended that guests arrive early to allow enough time for parking, security screening and finding seating. Those who arrive late will be directed to the Abney Cultural Center, where the ceremony will be livestreamed in the auditorium.
Parking
Parking for commencement is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find a parking map, and directions for accessible parking, by visiting www.lander.edu/graduation.
Security
The University’s clear bag policy will be enforced in Finis Horne Arena and the Abney Cultural Center Auditorium. Metal detectors will be used at all entrances and items are subject to search. Noisemakers, airhorns and similar items are not permitted inside Horne Arena. Additionally, balloons, banners and other items that obstruct guests’ views of the stage are prohibited.
Additional Information
For more information about Lander’s commencement exercises, including a link to livestream, visit www.lander.edu/graduation.