Lander University has announced two new winners of the Mary Frances Poole Alston Award: administrative specialist Jody Chapman and computer repair coordinator Tanner Stone.
The award was established by Roland P. Alston, host of the SCETV gardening show "Making It Grow," to honor his grandmother, Mary Frances Poole Alston, a 1914 graduate of Lander. The award, which carries an honorarium of $1,000, honors a faculty or staff member who has made an impact on the campus community. Recipients demonstrate good work habits, display a positive attitude, show genuine interest toward co-workers, and promote teamwork.
Chapman came out of retirement six years ago, after 16 years of running her own decorative painting company, to become administrative specialist for Lander's College of Business, a central point of contact for both students and faculty.
She assists students "with all forms of academic advising, helps in processing their materials towards eventual graduation, and helps students resolve enrollment needs," according to Interim Dean Dr. Michael Brizek, who nominated her for the award. She assists faculty with "all forms of student advising and support which includes personally training new faculty in advising practices and protocol instituted by the college and Lander University," he said.
Brizek said that Chapman was instrumental in helping to establish the college's new online programs. Without her "exceptional dedication," he said, "the current enrollments in the college would not have been possible."
Stone graduated from Lander in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in mass communications and is currently seeking a master's degree from The Citadel. Before returning to Lander in 2019 to work for Information Technology Services, he also worked for Advanced Technology Services and Fujifilm.
Stone was nominated for the Alston Award by Stacie Bowie, vice president for Finance and Administration, who cited his professionalism and commitment to the Lander community.
"His position is high-stress and time-sensitive, but Tanner responds in a positive, pleasant and service-friendly manner. He is a joy to work with," she said.
Mike Worley, vice president for University Advancement, who presented the awards to Chapman and Stone, praised both of them for their "exceptional support for the Lander community at large."