From varied fields of study – and even an unexpected stop on the national collegiate bass fishing circuit -- Lander University’s graduate hooding and undergraduate pinning ceremony celebrated the wide-ranging paths that led graduates to the same milestone.
During the ceremony, bachelor’s degree graduates received pins recognizing their academic achievements, while master’s degree graduates received hoods signifying their entry into scholarly ranks.
As faculty highlighted the academic success of the graduates, they also celebrated the diverse talents, passions and experiences that define the Class of 2025.
Dr. Lloyd Willis, dean of the College of Business and Technology, said that online learning requires a different type of motivation, self-discipline and planning.
“Being a graduate student requires the same level of independence and diligence,” he said. “Almost all our online undergraduate and graduate students work. Most have families, and all the responsibilities that go along with them.
When he asked people if they would attend the ceremony, Willis said the vast majority did as he asked. “The ones who did not were just being modest because I know them and I know what they do. Our students work for Armada Analytics, BMW, Carolina Health Centers, Davis & Floyd, Eaton, Fujifilm, too many K-12 schools to name, Self Regional Healthcare, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Velux -- and the list goes on,” he said.
“They work in many sectors, including education, manufacturing, finance, that are the backbone of our local, state and national economies.”
A Passion for Business and Bass Fishing
It may seem to be an unlikely pairing of interests, but Garrett Smith transferred to Lander because of the reputation of the University’s business program and bass fishing team.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in business, Smith also reeled in another major achievement. With his bass fishing teammate, Andrew Blanton, the duo won the 2023 and 2024 Bassmaster College Series National Championship competition to become the first team in college tournament history to win back-to-back national championships — and the first to win multiple titles overall.
Earning his MBA online “was a bit of a relief” from in-person courses, said Smith, “because I could schedule my courses as I was able to do them and have time to fish. Online studying gave me more time to travel, without having the pressure of juggling classes and competitions.”
He will be an adjunct faculty member teaching online courses for the School of Business in the spring and will begin life on the professional bass tournament circuit.
As an undergraduate, Lander’s School of Business gave him a solid academic foundation. The master’s degree program helped him prepare for life as a working professional. “My degrees are the stepping stones to my future,” he said. “And being on Lander’s bass fishing team was an experience that I could only dream about. I wouldn’t trade the opportunities I’ve had at Lander for anything in the world.”
Committed to Public Service
Meanwhile, in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, T. J. Chaudoin and Erin Postell have enhanced their future careers in criminal justice and law enforcement with degrees from Lander.
Postell, who earned her bachelor’s degree in criminology, and Chaudoin, who earned a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, said the online classes made their degrees accessible because, for the most part, they could balance college with careers and life demands at their own pace.
Chaudoin, police chief for the City of Greenwood, said, “Being a student comes with the growing pains of studying and making sure that you can keep up with all assigned coursework. I devoted much of my off time to education and learning.”
However, the responsibilities of his job made in-person classes unfeasible. “Lander made it possible for me to maintain my professional career while managing the life of a student, which I was extremely grateful for,” he said.
Postell, of Hodges, took some in-person classes and many that were online. “It required a lot of self-teaching,” she said, noting that “staying focused on my degree definitely tested my resilience.”
However, “Lander gave me the academic foundation I needed in criminology and juvenile related coursework,” said Postell. “The classes helped me understand the systems and social factors that affect young people, and they pushed me to think critically and communicate clearly in the field.”
For Chaudoin, the master’s degree program “has helped me enhance my leadership skills, improve critical thinking and problem-solving, and expand my management abilities. Education transforms a good law enforcement officer into a great one,” he said. “With a master’s degree from Lander, I am better equipped to lead others and provide the Greenwood Police Department with stronger leadership and guidance.”
Postell praised Lander faculty members, Dr. Jeremy Olson and Dr. Rebecca Sarver, who changed the way she was engaged with the material. “Their teaching style, unwavering support and passion for the field made a real difference for me,” she said. “I am forever grateful I had the chance to learn from them.”
Investing in the Future
Greg Keadle’s academic journey to earn a bachelor’s degree in business is a testament to perseverance, adaptability and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue new goals.
After earning an associate’s degree in applied science with a concentration in welding, Keadle went to work as a welder at Eaton Corp. in Greenwood. “I am proud to work for a large, multinational company such as Eaton,” Keadle said. “I always wanted to make a positive difference on a large scale, and Eaton allows me to help build a crucial product that is shipped worldwide.”
As he progressed in his career at Eaton, he realized that it was time to pursue his dream of a college education. Although taking courses and working proved to be “the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, it’s also the most rewarding,” he said, noting that his success helps provide a positive example for his children.
He encourages other adults to pursue their educational goals, even if the challenge seems daunting. “There may come a time in your return to school where you are nervous and afraid and way out of your comfort zone,” he said. “But keep trying and don’t give up. That is precisely when we begin to grow as a student and as a person. My experience in going back to school is priceless, and I am glad I did it.”
His path serves as an example to students of all ages that career growth can evolve over time and that investing in yourself can lead to personal and professional transformation.