A new scholarship has been established at Lander University in honor of former Financial Aid Director Ian M. "Mac" Hubbard.
Hubbard served as Lander's financial aid director from 1980 until 2001, guiding thousands of students through the process of applying for scholarships, grants and loans.
Criteria for the scholarship are financial need and an acceptable grade-point average. The award will be made by the financial aid office.
Hubbard found out about the scholarship, established by his friend, current Lander Financial Aid Director Fred Hardin, at his 80th birthday party.
"Learning of the scholarship in my name was a complete and absolute shock. I was literally speechless," he said.
Originally from California, Hubbard grew up in New Jersey, where he attended both high school and college. From 1968 until 1973, he worked in the financial aid office at Eckerd College, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He came to Lander from Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., where he was director of financial aid for seven years.
While at Lander, he served on several committees of the South Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SCASFAA), serving as president during the 1985-86 school year.
His wife, Holly, to whom he's been married for nearly 30 years, formerly directed the Advising Center at Lander.
Hardin described Hubbard, whom he has known since 1986, as "just a great guy. He thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the students on a personal level," he said.
Hardin, who also served as president of SCASFAA, said he is "proud to have followed in Mac's footsteps professionally, but I am much more proud to call him and his lovely wife, Holly, dear friends."
He invited Lander graduates, retirees and Hubbard's former colleagues to join him in boosting the amount of the scholarship.
Lander Director of Development Van Taylor expressed a similar wish. "This scholarship celebrates Mac's great work. We hope that those that appreciate or benefited from his good work will continue his legacy by helping this scholarship grow," he said.
Checks should be made out to The Lander Foundation - Hubbard Scholarship and mailed to the office of University Advancement; Lander University; 320 Stanley Avenue; Greenwood, SC 29649.
Questions should be directed to Taylor. He can be reached at 864-388-8350.