1. LANDER & VETERANS
SWOT ANALYSIS
Reference: Discussion between John Penman and Sam Tolbert on October 7, 2015, at the
Sports Break Bar & Grill during the Lander Business Professional Society Social.
Strengths: Lander University is an accredited and highly rated liberal arts university located
in Greenwood, South Carolina. Greenwood is a low-crime, low cost of living town. Quality
housing is plentiful and affordable. As a community, it is conservative, and promotes the
traditional Southern values of patriotism, hospitality, and family. Whites and blacks make-
up approximately 88% of the population, each weighing in at 44%. Based on anecdotal
evidence, race based hate crimes are rare to non-existent. There is some de facto
geographical racial segregation. Excellent healthcare is available through Self Regional
Medical Center. Greenwood qualifies for the VA Choice program, meaning it is more than
40 miles from the nearest VA healthcare facility (located in Anderson, SC).
Weaknesses: Lander University is currently not geared to “non-traditional students”, which
is a category that veterans will fall in. A potential weakness is transfer credits for military
experience. Some colleges and universities give credit for military training received. This
can range from a physical education activity course based on completing basic training, to
some very advanced training in the medical (nursing), foreign language, and journalism (to
name a very few). Depending upon a veteran’s length of service, and job, they will bring a
lot of life experience with them, and many will not wish to repeat courses that they took
while in the military. Another weakness is that there is no military installation near
Greenwood. The nearest is Fort Gordon, located outside of Augusta, GA. Approximately 70
miles from Greenwood. The veterans that are in Greenwood tend to be natives, or
relocated here for other purposes. The last weakness that will be mentioned is limited
graduate school opportunities. Many veterans obtain an undergraduate degree while on
active duty, so the next logical step is a graduate degree. The current graduate programs at
Lander University are slim. Furthermore, most veterans will have families, who may be
reluctant to relocate to a small, insular community without immediate access to an
interstate highway or a commercial airport.
Opportunities: Greenwood is undergoing something of a renaissance/transition from a
mill/manufacturing community to a white collar, scientific, and retirement community.
Perhaps the biggest draw will be from veterans in the healthcare field seeking employment
at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood Genetic Center, and/or Greenwood
Rehabilitation Hospital.
Threats: With the generous benefits provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill, competition for
veteran students is intense. Many of these competitors are located near military
installations and VA Healthcare Facilities.

2. Conclusion: This is a very brief, off the top of my head SWOT analysis, but the points are
valid. Lander University and Greenwood have much to offer veterans, but both have a long
way to go before either will be a star attraction for them.
Respectfully,
John S. Penman
Sergeant First Class, US Army (Retired)
Second Degree Accounting Student
Addendum: Methods of increasing Veterans enrollment.
These are some suggested methods of increasing Veterans enrollment. The first one may
be doable with resources on hand. The second and third methods will require support from
the Governor and Legislature.
1. Open a satellite on or near major military installations. The major installations in South
Carolina are:
Shaw AFB, Sumter
Ft. Jackson, Columbia
Parris Island, Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort
Navy Hospital, Beaufort
Charleston AFB
Charleston Coast Guard Station
Several Navy Installations around Charleston
Start with South Carolina. Lander University is an established state school. Consider
expanding to other states if feasible.
2. Some states offer free tuition at state schools to members of the National Guard. This
can be a win/win for the school and the Guard. Both organizations want bright high
school graduates.
3. Some states offer free tuition to all Veterans. The Veteran must have been a resident of
the state when they joined the military, maintained their residency while serving, and
returned to the state after they separated from the service. Examples are Wisconsin,
and Illinois.