Ellyn Adams, of Myrtle Beach, has been named the recipient of the prestigious Thayer Award for the Fall 2024 semester at Lander University. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Adams completed 105 institutional hours with a 4.0 GPA.
The Thayer Award is bestowed upon the student graduating with the highest grade-point average (GPA) and was established in 1986 on behalf of the family of Dr. Henry K. Thayer, a civic leader and former president of Thayer's, Inc. of Greenwood.
“I am extremely honored to receive the Thayer Award for my graduating class,” Adams said. Lander is such a special place to me! Being a Bearcat has provided me with incredible memories, relationships, the opportunity to learn from incredible professors, the ability to network with industry leaders, and the chance to grow as a young professional.”
She added, “Without Lander, its faculty, coaches and students, my experience at the university would not have been the same. I am forever grateful for the numerous professors who knew me by name, took the time to have meaningful conversations with me and attended volleyball matches to support me and my team.”
Dr. Cherie Rains, assistant dean of the College of Business said, “I am incredibly proud of Ellyn, not just for winning this prestigious award, but for the amazing person she is. I’ve seen firsthand her passion, creativity and determination.”
Rains added, “Ellyn excels in everything she does — academically, on the volleyball court, and as a leader on campus. Watching her grow and now head off first to Disney and then to USC’s Darla Moore School of Business for her MBA in the fall is both bittersweet and inspiring. She exemplifies the best of our College of Business, and I am confident she will continue to achieve extraordinary things.”