ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Rock Hill attorney Joel T. Hamilton ’06 has joined the Winthrop University Board of Trustees as the designee for South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver.
She notified the board of her intention on Feb. 2, stating, “Mr. Hamilton is a Winthrop graduate and serves on several local boards and commissions.”
Hamilton recently finished a term on the York County Council representing District 7 and has served as chair of the York County Republican Party. He also has volunteered on the boards of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Fort Mill Economic Partners, the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation, the Historic Rock Hill Foundation, York County Regional Chamber and Christmasville in Rock Hill.
Hamilton is co-founder of the Schiller and Hamilton law firm and manages the operations of the statewide firm’s office in Rock Hill. He has 12 years of experience representing injured parties, involving vehicle accidents, civil rights violations, medical malpractice and other situations.
At Winthrop, Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business/economics from Winthrop. While a student, he served as president of the Pre-Law Society and the College Republicans. After graduating from Winthrop, Hamilton attended Case Western Reserve School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2009.
Hamilton replaces Julie Fowler ’85, ‘88, who served on the Winthrop Board for eight years as the designee of the former State Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman. While on the Board, Fowler chaired various committees including the search committee for the 12th president, Edward Serna.
Fowler was recently named Superintendent of Spartanburg School District Three. Prior to that she was a director, dispute resolution officer, and liaison for the South Carolina State Department of Education.
Her experience in education includes being superintendent of Abbeville School District, deputy state superintendent for college and career readiness, assistant superintendent of Greenwood County Schools, director of special and student support services, and director of curriculum for McCormick County School District.
Board of Trustees Chair Glenn McCall thanked Fowler for her service and her significant contributions to education in South Carolina. “We so appreciated the wisdom and advice that Julie brought to us, having teaching and leadership experience from pre-school through college while working at eight school districts, as well as Clemson University,” he said. “While we will miss her on the board, we look forward to the contributions Joel Hamilton will undoubtedly make.”
Hamilton is married to Marina Bender Hamilton ’05, who also holds a Winthrop degree in political science.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
