Lander's Office of University Advancement is relocating to 302 West Cambridge Avenue - two blocks away from the main campus, across from where Coleman Residence Hall once stood.
While preparing for a move is often nerve-racking, Ralph Patterson, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of The Lander Foundation, could not be happier. His box-filled office and those of his staff are currently located on the third floor of the Grier Student Center.
"This move makes good sense for a host of reasons," an enthusiastic Patterson said. "First and foremost, we need to be more accessible for alumni and friends. In our current location, visitors must search for a parking spot and walk through three buildings just to get to us. The new location has plenty of parking, and visitors are within a few feet of our front door."
Lander purchased the former TD Bank building last year. It will be renamed The Lander Foundation and Alumni Center, and will provide:
"We have done a bit of redesign to the inside with the intention being to host a lot of events there. For example, all of the Foundation meetings will be held there, as will the Alumni Association meetings, unless they decide to meet on campus. The pavilion, which will be completed at a later date, is an added bonus in that it can be used for outdoor events and many of our traditional Lander get-togethers," said Patterson.
Patterson also hinted that the space left vacant by Coleman Hall may become the new home for Lander's Montessori teacher education program. "This entire plan is the vision of (Lander President) Dan Ball, and the possible move of the Montessori program to its own building fits nicely," Patterson added. "We are currently raising funds for a scholarship in Dan and Marjorie's name that will benefit teacher education students who want to teach in the sciences or who are in the Montessori program."
While the offices will move, the mailing address for The Lander Foundation and the Office of University Advancement remains 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, S.C. 29649. For information on how you can support Lander or become more involved in the Alumni Association, please call 864-388-8350.