With humor and a challenge to be boldly original, keynote speaker Dr. Zach Rubin urged graduates at Lander University’s 172nd commencement Tuesday (Dec. 16) to resist blending in and instead stand out from the crowd.
Rubin, an associate professor of sociology and Lander’s 2025 Distinguished Professor, borrowed a message from musician and actor “Weird Al” Yankovic to make his point. From Yankovic’s 1985 anthem, “Dare to be Stupid,” Rubin said, “Put down that chainsaw and listen to me. It’s time to let your babies grow up to be cowboys. It’s time to let the bedbugs bite. You better put all your eggs in one basket. You better count your chickens before they hatch. You better sell some wine before its time. You better find yourself an itch to scratch.”
As the University’s nearly 480 bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates prepared to embark on careers and new goals, Rubin said, “Your final lesson will be about how to stand out from the crowd.”
He encouraged the Class of 2025 to see “the world in a way others have closed themselves off to … you may just have a good answer to something when you unleash your inner eccentricities.”
In a world increasingly obsessed with consistency, conformity and uniformity, “You’ll be so much happier if you just be yourself,” Rubin said.
And while pursuing dreams, “Don’t sanitize them too much for others, either. You are all that you need to be, especially now that you’ve got the degree.”
Among the Class of 2025 are graduates who stand out from the crowd, as Rubin suggested, through their journeys of determination, confidence and compassion.
Mother, Daughter Challenged Each to Succeed
Graduating together with MBA degrees is a powerful testament to the bond between Kendra Rodgers and her daughter, Candice Rodgers, and their shared commitment to growth, perseverance and lifelong learning.
Candice, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lander in 2023 and plans to earn a doctorate in criminal justice, approached her mother with the idea of earning their degrees together. “I said, ‘I know you already have a master’s degree, but how would you feel about getting another one?’” she said, noting that her mother hesitated at first but then agreed. “She has been a lifelong learner, and I believe that is where I get my grit and push to go as far as I can. I want to make her proud!”
Initial reluctance aside, Kendra said it is an honor to sit beside her daughter for the ceremony and to walk across the stage with her. “Candice is so smart, and she often challenged me intellectually on assignments. I've seen her grow through these classes and become even more confident and intelligent.”
Although they were together in their courses, their assignments were worked out through their own individual thoughts and perceptions. “There were times when we would argue about what the assignment was asking for or would call to remind the other about upcoming deadlines,” said Kendra, who earned a master’s degree in psychology from North Central University in 2010.
In addition to their psychology and MBA degrees, the Rodgers’ closeness also extends to their work. Kendra is a systems programmer for Lander’s Office of Information Technology Services, and Candice is an advisor at Lander’s Student Success Center for the College of Education.
The mother of a 17-year-old high school senior, Candice said finding time for coursework was not always easy. “Through determination, careful planning and constant encouragement from loved ones, I made it through. I am especially grateful to have completed this degree with my mother.”
For Kendra, the experience tugs at her heart as a mother. “We learned from each other and with each other. Candice is going to go far, and I’m proud that she will continue her plans to study for her doctorate. I'm fully supportive. I believe in her! She's got this!”
Grounded in Confidence
Nursing major Savannah Williams, of Chesnee, came to Lander because of the sense of community she felt when she arrived on campus for a tour. She’s graduating with a job at Self Regional Healthcare, which also feels like home because she’s already worked in the hospital’s emergency department.
“Throughout my education, I’ve had opportunities to learn in diverse clinical environments, grow through hands-on experience and develop confidence in fast-paced settings,” said Williams.
Her compassion for others extends beyond health care. As a freshman, Williams founded a nonprofit organization, Flights for Freedom, which provides funds to military members to cover the expenses of holiday travel.
She’s watched the organization grow beyond her expectations during her time at Lander, and she’s eager to help more people. “I hope to expand our partnerships, increase the number of flights we can fund each year, and continue building a mission that exists far beyond my time in school.”
As she looks ahead to her future, Williams said, “Lander shaped me not only academically, but personally. It gave me mentors who believed in me, friends who supported me and clinical experiences that confirmed my calling to nursing. I’m leaving Lander more confident, more grounded and more grateful than when I arrived.”
A Global Journey with a Dream
When Ronald Magnus-George arrived at Lander from his home in Ghana, he already had a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and was poised for career success. But he had bigger dreams –- those to further his education and position himself to make lasting and meaningful contributions to health care on a global level. Lander offered him the opportunity to earn an MBA, with a concentration in Healthcare Management and Business Analytics.
“I chose Lander because I wanted a place where I could really grow. I wanted a university that felt personal and where learning went beyond the classroom. My time here opened doors I did not expect,” he said, noting that he worked as a graduate assistant in the archives department at the Jackson Library.
An internship at Self Regional Healthcare in the operational efficiency and performance improvement department “became one of the most defining parts of my experience,” Magnus-George said. “I was trusted with projects that shaped how teams delivered care, and that experience helped me understand health care operations in a practical way. It also taught me how to think differently, how to lead and how to handle complex problems with confidence.”
Magnus-George, who has been offered a job with Self Regional, is looking ahead to having an international role in health care. “I hope to continue building my career in health care operations and project management. My long-term vision is to become an executive leader in health care, someone who can drive meaningful change and expand access to quality care,” he said.
“A major part of my purpose is tied to giving back to Ghana and to Africa as a whole. I hope to contribute to hospital construction projects, strengthen health systems and help improve the level of care available in underserved areas.”
Ultimately, Magnus-George wants to create a scholarship foundation for students from all the schools that shaped him, including Lander. “Education opened doors for me, and I want to give the same opportunity to others who may not have the means but have the potential.”
Desperately Seeking Realness
College students often remark on the pressure they feel from social media to be as good looking, successful, well-dressed, happy and normal as everyone else. But Rubin suggested a different path based on a TikTok message by humorist Andi Marie. “Say the weird thing. People are desperately seeking realness,” he said. “That, I think, is sound advice.”
Graduation 2025 by University Marketing and Communications