Rhianna Philcox’s Pursuit of Two Degrees Leads to Lander’s Thayer Award

Driven by a passion for public health and language, Rhianna Philcox chose to pursue dual majors at Lander University — a decision that required extraordinary discipline and perseverance. Her success in balancing the demands of two degree programs, while excelling academically, has earned Philcox the distinction of being named the Thayer Award recipient among the Spring 2026 graduating class at Lander.

This esteemed accolade is bestowed at the conclusion of each academic semester upon the graduate with the highest grade point average (GPA). In addition to achieving a 4.0 in both fields of study, Philcox graduated summa cum laude.

Philcox's journey as a public health and Spanish major demonstrates the impact a well-rounded education can have in preparing students to make a difference in the world.

Dr. Holisa Wharton, dean of Lander’s College of Nursing, Human Performance and Health Sciences, noted that public health is a rigorous and interdisciplinary field that challenges students to understand complex issues affecting the health and well-being of communities.

"Combining that demanding course of study with a major in Spanish demonstrates an exceptional commitment to broadening one's knowledge and skills,” she said. “The ability for Rhianna to navigate two distinct academic disciplines while maintaining a perfect GPA speaks to her extraordinary work ethic and intellectual versatility. Our college is extraordinarily proud of Rhianna, and her achievement will serve her well as she works to improve health outcomes in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.”

The academic achievement of completing a double major requires remarkable intellectual discipline and perseverance, said Dr. Lucas McMillan, dean of Lander’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

"Earning two degrees simultaneously represents a significant academic challenge and a sustained commitment to excellence,” McMillan said. “Rhianna’s selection as the recipient of the Thayer Award reflects not only her exceptional academic achievements, but also the dedication and passion for learning that have distinguished Rhianna throughout her time at Lander."

The award is particularly impressive because Philcox also was a member of Lander’s acrobatics and tumbling team. She recently was named the Peach Belt Conference’s acrobatics and tumbling Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

A member of the Honors College, Philcox earned the Honors Medal and Honors Pin in recognition of her academic success, and was a President’s List honoree throughout her academic career at Lander.