The Lander University Alumni Association will honor its 2024 Alumni Award winners at a luncheon Friday, February 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the New Hall multipurpose room.
The association has named the following alumni as recipients of this year’s awards:
The Grace Iler Norman Award winner is Katherine Ramsey Foxworth ’97, ’00. Named for the first alumni director, this award recognizes significant alumni achievement and dedication to both the Alumni Association and the University.
The Distinguished Alumni Award winner is Senator Billy J. Garrett, Jr. ’78. This award is presented for achieving distinction in one’s chosen field, and for participation in civic, cultural, education or church activities.
The Young Alumni Award winner is Sara Hix McAda ’16. This award recognizes alumni who have graduated from Lander within the last 15 years and who have served their community in an exemplary way.
Katherine Ramsey Foxworth ’97, ’00
Kaye Foxworth, originally from Bamberg, is a dedicated educator with 28 years of experience. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education in 1997 and a Master of Education in 2000, both from Lander University.
Foxworth currently serves as a Literacy Coach at Campobello Gramling School in Spartanburg District 1. She attributes much of her success to her formative years at Lander University, which she credits for shaping her into a leader in her field. She loves Lander and enthusiastically shares her positive experiences to encourage students to consider the University.
Throughout her career, Foxworth has achieved numerous accolades, including being named Teacher of the Year at both New Prospect Elementary and Campobello Gramling School, and receiving the prestigious Ray Doughty Arts Education Award in 2019. A passionate advocate for the arts, she has founded and led arts committees at multiple schools and secured over $300,000 in grants for her district.
Senator Billy J. Garrett, Jr. ’78
Senator Garrett is the son of Billy J. Garrett, Sr. and Sigrid S. Garrett. He grew up in Williamston as one of four children. In his early teens, the family moved to Greenwood. Garrett later earned a B.A. in history from Lander University in 1978 and received his juris doctor from USC School of Law in 1983.
After law school, Senator Garrett returned to his hometown of Greenwood to start practicing law where he joined the Callison, Dorn, Thomason and Garrett Law Firm. In 1993, he opened his own law practice, the Garrett Law Firm, P.C.
Over his forty years as a practicing attorney and mediator, Senator Garrett became licensed to practice in state courts and federal courts, and recently to the U.S. Supreme Court. He is the recipient of the 1998 S.C. Supreme Court Recognition and Appreciation Award, and the 2007 S.C. Board of Magistrate and Municipal Judges Award.
He was elected to the S.C. Senate in 2020 to begin his first four-year term. Senator Garrett now represents the newly zoned S.C. Senate District 10 that includes all of Greenwood County, and parts of Saluda and Lexington Counties.
Sara Hix McAda ’16
Sara McAda is a business professional with a passion for serving others. She currently serves as the investor engagement manager at the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and is an adjunct instructor of professional development to business students at Lander University.
McAda has held a variety of leadership roles in senior residential care management, including executive director at both The Blake at Hollingsworth Park and The Pearl at Five Forks, prior to stepping into her current roles.
She holds an MBA in Health Care Administration from Southern Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Care Management from Lander University. She has certifications in dementia care, health care quality and health care safety, and is licensed as a South Carolina Community Residential Care Facility Administrator.
Outside of her professional work, she is deeply involved in her community. She is an active member of the Junior League of Greenville, Travelers Rest United Methodist Church, Greenville Meals on Wheels Young Professionals, and the Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Association.
For more information on the Lander University Alumni Association, please visit www.lander.edu/alumni.