Legacy of Philanthropy

Lander Alumna, Trustee Linda Dolny-Lister Makes Transformational Gift to Name Residence Hall, Fund Scholarships

A legacy of generosity and service at Lander University will soon be reflected in a new name on one of the campus’s largest buildings — and in new opportunities for students to pursue their dreams of a college education.

Linda Dolny-Lister, a member of Lander’s Board of Trustees and a longtime supporter of the University, is making a significant philanthropic investment that will name the university’s most recently constructed residence hall as Dolny Hall. Since its opening, the building has been referred to as New Hall.

The undisclosed gift in excess of $1 million will support the University’s endowment and go toward the Presidential Medallion Scholarship fund, providing assistance to students with exceptional academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

Lander President Richard Cosentino said the investment builds upon Dolny-Lister’s long record of service and philanthropy to Lander, adding that it will have “generational impact” for students.

“Linda Dolny-Lister has contributed so much to Lander over the years, and this gift is another reflection of the deep commitment she has to her alma mater. In each of her roles as alumna, scholarship donor and trustee, she has helped make Lander stronger and opened doors for our students,” he said. “We are profoundly grateful for her enduring belief in our institution and mission.”

Lander’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to approve the building’s official naming as Dolny Hall, with a ceremony and signage unveiling planned for the spring. The three story, 70,000-sq.-ft. residence hall houses more than 200 students and features study and social rooms on each floor, as well as a multipurpose classroom. Its location near the University’s recreation facilities and arena makes it a popular choice among students, with easy access to classrooms and campus life.

“I believe strongly in what a Lander education can mean in a young person’s life because I have seen its impact time and time again,” Dolny-Lister said. “Supporting Lander is one way I can help pay that forward. I want Lander students to have the same opportunity to discover their capabilities, and my family and I are grateful to play a small part in that.”

The impact of naming opportunities is exponential, Cosentino said, extending far beyond the initial donation.

“A gift of this magnitude immediately strengthens Lander’s endowment, but most importantly, it fosters new opportunities for our students for generations to come. That’s what makes a gift like this so meaningful. It becomes a part of Lander’s future and will continue to make a difference year after year.”

Taylor Cook, Lander’s vice president for advancement and executive director for The Lander Foundation, said this substantial investment will further Lander’s mission to expand access to an affordable, high-quality education and exceptional student experience.

“With this gift, Linda is doing more than putting her name on a building for the next 20 years. She is creating opportunities for so many students who, without this support, would not be able to choose to attend Lander or thrive during their time here,” Cook said. “She is limiting their personal financial burden through her generosity, and the ripple effect of that philanthropy will be felt far into the future.”

A Legacy of Philanthropy

A 1969 graduate of Lander with a bachelor’s degree in English and education, Dolny-Lister also earned a master’s degree in religion and religious studies from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. She was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree by Lander in 2004.

She began her career in executive training and leadership with Union Carbide and became the founder and owner of Positive Management Leadership Associates Inc., in Greenwood. Over the years, Dolny-Lister and her late husband, Stephen B. Dolny, established several endowed scholarships at the University. After his death, she made a gift to name the University’s baseball stadium in his memory. Dolny Stadium was dedicated in February 2012.

Dolny-Lister was elected to Lander’s Board of Trustees in 2008 and was named secretary of the board in 2013. She served as the board’s chair from 2017-2021. She also has served on the advisory board of Lander’s Department of Business Administration and on the board of trustees of The Lander Foundation.

Cosentino called Dolny-Lister “an extraordinary leader, trusted adviser and dear friend whose wisdom and counsel have meant more to me than words can express. Her unwavering commitment to Lander has helped guide our University through important decisions, strengthen our financial foundation and position us for continued growth.”

Dolny-Lister’s dedication and passionate philanthropic support have also set an example for all leaders of higher education, Cook added.

“Not only has she given of her time, talent and resources to support the University that paved the path for her, she is now directly paving that path for others,” Cook said. “This is a defining moment in her legacy at Lander.”