A Secret Worth Sharing: Lander Surprises Student with First Acceptance for Fall 2027

A secret had been carefully guarded for weeks. Only a select few knew what was about to unfold, and one of them was a mother who worked quietly behind the scenes to orchestrate a surprise her daughter would never forget.

On a late summer afternoon, the mystery came to life when a contingent of Lander University administrators, staff and students, accompanied by the Bearcat mascot, traveled to North Augusta and arrived at the home of high school senior Abby Prescott.

Their mission? To deliver some extraordinary news: Abby was the first student to be accepted into Lander's freshman class for the 2027-28 academic year. And thanks to her mother's behind-the-scenes collaboration with University officials, Abby had no idea that a celebration of her future was about to arrive at her doorstep.

A Surprising Call

Weeks before the big reveal, Ashley Prescott received a call from Dr. Todd Gambill, Lander’s vice president for enrollment and access management, telling her that her daughter Abby had been selected as the first accepted student for the upcoming academic year. To say that the news caught Prescott off guard could be expected. “I was surprised and proud,” she said. “I was very impressed that someone at a higher level within the University was reaching out and taking the time to personally call me.”

Schedules had to be coordinated, and plans made to ensure that Abby, her family and Lander representatives could be in the same place all at once without the high school senior becoming suspicious of a disruption in her routine. “I had to be extra careful making sure plans weren’t made for that day and time for the whole family,” Prescott said. “And, I had to make sure Abby was home since Fridays are her days off from work, and she might not be home.”

Plus, “it was very hard not sharing the excitement with her before the big day,” Prescott noted. “Everyone was so excited for her to be the first 2027 acceptance and that the announcement would be at our home. It’s a totally different experience when you are presented with the acceptance in person.”

The idea for the in-person surprise came from Gambill, who said the event was a “first” for the University.

“I’ve had this idea for several years, and we finally were able to implement it,” he said, admitting to some nervousness about what Abby’s reaction might be. “I worked with her mom for several weeks to set this up. But it was huge fun, and Abby was awesome.”

The Road Led to Lander

That a Lander welcoming party would arrive at her doorstep with banners, cheerleader pom poms and bells may have been a surprise for Abby, but the decision to become a Lander Bearcat was made during months of travel and painstaking comparisons.

Abby weighed her college decision-making carefully. Undertaking trips to visit more than a dozen colleges and universities, Abby said, “I knew I wanted to attend somewhere in-state with a strong healthcare management program, full of school spirit and somewhere that felt like home,” she said. “I toured plenty of schools, but when I stepped on the campus at Lander, everyone made me feel like I belonged there.”

Yet, while she could imagine herself as a Lander student, Abby didn’t imagine that Lander would arrive at her doorstep with an official welcome. “When I saw the Lander team standing in front of me cheering and celebrating, I was surprised and very confused,” she said. “It took me a few minutes to understand that Lander does not accept each student this way. I was almost speechless.”

Abby, a senior at Fox Creek High School, also was impressed by her mother’s ability to keep the visit a secret. “I didn’t know Lander was coming to see me until I opened the door.”

For Gambill, the visit may be the highlight of the month of September when Lander begins sending acceptance letters and boxes, which contain the acceptance letters for future students and some fun Bearcat swag.

“I think the process is very important. Many students are making the biggest decision they have made in their young lives, and many are nervous and excited about learning their destinations,” he said. “I love helping young people reach their potential, so this was a special event for me. The whole family was there, including Abby’s grandmother, and they seemed to love it.”

A Sense of Pride and Excitement

Being the first accepted Lander freshman for 2027, Abby said, “made me feel like all my hard work has paid off and I’ve achieved goals I’ve set for myself throughout high school.”

In addition to an outstanding GPA which led her to be one of 14 students at her school accepted into the National Honor Society, Abby has been involved in a variety of organizations. A member of the National Beta Club and Interact Club, she has been the business manager for the yearbook and the event coordinator and business manager for the Future Business Leaders of America.

She knows that the dedication she has given to her high school academic and extracurricular activities has prepared her for college. “I cannot wait to apply that mindset to my Lander experience,” she said. “Lander is going to help shape me into the person who achieves my goals for the future.”

Abby’s excitement is indicative of Lander’s mission. “We try to be authentic. We are a family and seek to accept/enroll students who want to be here, participate in our community and leave their own mark,” Gambill said. “For the students who belong at Lander, we get excited with and for them as they get ready to launch!”

The enthusiasm is matched by Ashley Prescott. “I’m looking forward to visiting Abby and seeing all the new ways she excels and grows at Lander. I can’t wait for the exciting stories she calls to tell me about all the new things she’s learned and the people she has met.”