In addition to welcoming all alumni back to the Lander University campus, the Lander Alumni Association celebrates each year the achievements of its Alumni Award recipients during Homecoming, with the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon. Three recipients were honored Friday, Feb. 6, during the luncheon, surrounded by friends, family and former classmates, and were praised for their service to the University, and to their respective communities.
Adam Taylor ’87 – 2025 Grace Iler Norman Award
Adam Taylor, of Laurens, South Carolina, is a proud member of Lander’s Class of 1987, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and was a member of Lander’s ROTC program. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and attained the rank of Captain during his service with the South Carolina National Guard.
Taylor serves as Lander’s vice president for strategic initiatives and President Richard Cosentino’s chief-of-staff. As Lander’s chief liaison for governmental relations, the University has received significant funding increases from the South Carolina General Assembly in recent years, including funding to construct the Nursing Experiential Learning Center and the Information Commons; and funding to renovate the existing Jackson Library into additional classroom space.
Prior to his career with Lander, Taylor spent 20 years with State Farm Insurance, and served for 10 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing portions of Greenville and Laurens counties. In 2008, he decided not to run for re-election, and instead returned to his alma mater. During his time in the legislature, he served on several important committees, and was elected assistant majority leader during his final term. Taylor has received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, and was also previously named a Distinguished Alumnus of Lander. He is married to Monica Leapard Taylor, also a Lander graduate, and has three children and three grandchildren.
James McCoy, Jr. ’82 – 2025 Distinguished Alumnus
James “Jim” McCoy, Jr., a Greenville, South Carolina native, is a proud first-generation college graduate and member of Lander University’s Class of 1982.
At Lander, McCoy earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, and was a member of the University’s first collegiate soccer team, helping to lay the foundation for a program that continues to thrive today. After graduation, he returned to Greenville and began his career in higher education administration at a small junior college, where he discovered his lifelong passion for helping others realize the transformative power of education.
McCoy has held leadership positions at several colleges and universities across the Southeast, including 19 years as senior vice president of operations for a large multi-campus university. For the past decade, he has served as campus president of a college that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, physician assistant studies, surgical technology, imaging sciences and other healthcare programs – continuing his steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare education and student success.
Together with his wife, Kristin, McCoy established an endowed nursing scholarship at Lander to support future generations of nursing students and to honor the institution that helped shape both his professional and personal journey. Through his leadership and example, McCoy continues to embody the values of dedication and service that define the Lander University spirit.
Raphael Coleman ’13 – 2025 Young Alumnus of the Year
Raphael Coleman, a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, is an innovative and compassionate leader dedicated to excellence in public service, entrepreneurship and community development. Coleman is a 2013 graduate of Lander University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (with a concentration in accounting) in 2013.
Coleman began his public service career in Greenwood, South Carolina, with the Greenwood County Office of Voter Registration, and in 2015, joined the Abbeville County Office of Voter Registration as a certified election clerk. His dedication and leadership in that role led to his appointment to the position of deputy treasurer – the youngest and first African American male in Abbeville County to hold the role. After seven years of service, Coleman was appointed interim county treasurer in 2024, following the retirement of outgoing treasurer, Betty Cowan. Later that year, Governor Henry McMaster officially appointed Coleman to the role of treasurer of Abbeville County, where he now oversees more than $15 million in property tax collections, as well as state and federal aid allocations.
Beyond these professional roles, Coleman is deeply involved in the life of his community. He has previously served as chairman of the Abbeville County Voter Registration and Election Board; as treasurer of the Heritage Preservation Foundation, dedicated to preserving African American history in Abbeville County; and as chairman of Operation Impact, a community service organization that develops leaders, promotes education and supports youth initiatives.
Coleman is married to Kenyatta Keller Coleman, father to Jaylin Drew Coleman and godfather to Layah Rose Carter. He is also the author of Lessons Learned Along the Way, and If I Only Knew.
The Lander Legacy
Taylor Cook, vice president for advancement at Lander University, praised the 2025 award recipients as part of the University’s legacy. “These alumni have made significant contributions, not only in their respective career fields, but also in helping us showcase what it means to be an alumnus of Lander,” Cook said. “Across the country, and around the world, you’ll find Lander graduates making a difference. It is an honor to be able to recognize Mr. Taylor, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Coleman for the difference they have made – and are making every day.”
Alumni Awards 2026 by University Marketing & Communications