Lander alumni Chandler Darling, left, and Gina Fingerlin, of the Lander Evening Club, review memorabilia of the organization’s history at the University. Photo by Karen Petit
The Bearcat spirit was unmistakable as Lander University came alive with blue and gold to welcome alumni, students, families and friends back to campus for Homecoming. What made the weekend special wasn’t just the events – and there was certainly something for everyone – but rather the shared sense of pride and connection that defines the Lander family.
Across campus, old friendships were renewed and new ones formed as young and old bridged generations through common experiences and a shared love for Lander. From alumni reliving cherished memories to students creating traditions of their own, Homecoming highlighted the enduring relationships that extend far beyond graduation day.
Homecoming weekend also included Family Day as Lander invited the families of current students to be part of the celebration. By opening campus to those who support Bearcats every day, Lander extended its sense of family beyond students and alumni, reinforcing the close-knit community that defines the University.
Chandler Darling, a 1983 graduate of Lander’s College of Education with a degree in health, physical education and recreation, was at Homecoming to promote the University’s Lander Evening Club, an organization formed to keep alumni connected to the campus and students.
Darling began her career teaching high school students in Laurens before returning to Lander’s campus to work for 28 years in campus housing. “I had top-notch students working for me, and that made my career meaningful. I used to tell my students ‘you are the cream of the crop,’ and they were,” she said. “Some are here today, and it’s awesome to see them.”
For Gina Fingerlin, a 1983 nursing graduate whose career as a public health nurse has spanned 38 years, seeing the growth in the University’s nursing program has given her a tremendous sense of pride. “It is great to see the great progress that is being made with our nursing program,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the new nursing building when it opens.”
Bonds of Friendship and Service
“Lander was my home away from home,” said Bethany Minick, of Atlanta, who chose Lander for her undergraduate and master’s degree programs.
Minick, who grew up in Abbeville, said she chose Lander because she knew that she wouldn’t be “just a number on a college campus.”
She found lifelong friends through her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA). She became a ZTA member in her sophomore year at Lander where she already was establishing herself as a Presidential Ambassador and Teaching Fellow.
“I found a strong connection and friendships in ZTA, which gave me a chance to be involved with community service and philanthropic activities,” she said. “I could be part of something bigger than myself. Today, our alumni lead recruitment activities for the chapter, and that is important to us.”
For more years than anyone can remember, alumni from Omega Psi Phi have made a strong showing at Lander’s Homecoming events. They don’t rely on food trucks to provide their food for the day; they bring their own. Members roll in each year with a king-sized grill attached to the back of a truck.
For the past five years, Johnny Carter has led the cooking detail by grilling chicken, sausages, hotdogs and hamburgers for the fraternity’s alumni and their families and friends. They also fried fish nearby for a feast worthy of a Food Network show.
Terrence Lenyear, of Greenwood, a patient liaison representative at Self Regional Healthcare, said the fraternity brothers were celebrating Omega Psi Phi’s 50th anniversary at Lander during their tailgate gathering. “Our friendships are part of a brotherhood of service,” he said. “Through Omega Psi Phi, I learned the principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift. Without Omega, I wouldn’t have known these fine gentlemen who are my lifelong family.”
Aaron Christopher, of Greenwood, said that by being a member of Omega Psi Phi he was “following in a tradition of great men,” including nationally recognized educator and civil rights icon Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, of Greenwood.
“This group of men helped me strive to be a better man and a better family man,” said Christopher, whose career was dedicated to military service. “We want the same for other young men at Lander.”
A Home on Campus
Tierra Bradley, of Charleston, who was spending the day with her family Tawanna and Troy Mayes, said she came to Lander because of the reputation of Lander’s College of Education. An early childhood education major, Bradley was excited that her family had brought her dog Pilot to visit. “She’s probably more excited to see Pilot than us,” said her mother, Tawanna Mayes.
The Family Day experience was the family’s first visit since Bradley arrived in the fall. “I wanted to feel the atmosphere around the college and the people who are here,” Mayes said. “I wanted to see my daughter’s life and how it is for her. She made that decision based on what she liked and felt was right for her. I’m proud of her.”
For Ashley Olivo, a Greenwood native and member of Lander’s Homecoming Court, “Lander was my dream school. As I was growing up, being a student here was important to me.”
A senior majoring in psychology and Spanish, Olivo hopes to work with Greenwood District 50 after graduating in May. “Lander has motivated me to know that I am capable of doing more than I ever dreamed possible,” she said.
Her friend Fernando Flores, of Greenwood, transferred to Lander in the fall. He is seeking a degree in business, with a concentration in healthcare management. “Already, Lander has given me a lot of opportunities to make friends and make connections professionally,” he said. “I believe that this school will help me to become successful in whatever I choose to do.”
For Tiffany Young, seeing her daughter, freshman Taylor Young, find her niche at Lander was “overwhelming and wonderful … She turned down a chance to go shopping with us this afternoon so that she could go to the basketball games with her friends. That says a lot because she loves shopping. And she definitely loves being here on campus.”
A Celebration of Success
Lander planned a week filled with activities for students to have fun and connect with friends across campus. A food drive for the Bear Necessities Food Pantry brought in hundreds of canned goods and boxed food items, while students performed in a talent showcase, created colorful banners to highlight their organizations and tested their skills in trivia, sports and a new event, “Bring Your Own Big Wheels,” featuring races on tricycles and children’s motorized cars.
Mr. and Ms. Bearcat renewed their vows, and a new Homecoming King, freshman Jamari Benjamin, of Hartsville, and Homecoming Queen, senior Zoe Flangan, of Mount Pleasant, were crowned.
More than a celebration, Homecoming and Family Day served as a powerful reminder that Lander is a place where people belong: a community built on support, shared history and a spirit that continues to bring Bearcats home.