ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Five accomplished Winthrop University alumni will be honored for their service and professional achievements at the Alumni Awards Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 9. The event, which is one of several events held during Homecoming, is by invitation only and is sponsored by Founders Federal Credit Union.
The recipients are: Virginia Hart ’45, Mary Mildred Sullivan Award; David Vehaun ’86, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; Tim Hopkins ’83, Alumni Distinguished Service Award; Len Lawson ’02, Alumni Professional Achievement Award; and Brandon Sanders ’10, Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Learn more about the recipients below:
MARY MILDRED SULLIVAN AWARD
This award, established in 1940, recognizes a Winthrop alumna for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.
Virginia Hart ’45
Hart is a trailblazer in women’s athletics at what is now Mars Hill University in North Carolina. Known as the founder of the women’s varsity athletic programs at Mars Hill, she coached basketball, volleyball and tennis. She retired from Mars Hill in 1985 but returned to work in the dining hall until her second retirement in 2017. Hart has been a beloved professor, coach, friend, advisor and mentor to thousands of students over the past 80 years. She resides in Mars Hill, North Carolina, where she celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2023.
Read more about Virginia Hart.
ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN AWARD
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.
David Vehuan ’86
Vehaun is a dedicated public servant who has played a significant role in the revitalization of Rock Hill. Appointed as city manager for the city of Rock Hill in 2010, Vehaun has overseen the emergence of the city’s urban core as a major economic engine for the local economy. This area, which borders the Winthrop campus, has seen a dramatic revitalization and currently has more than $600 million in public and private investment underway.
ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us who significantly contributes to the quality of life in his or her community, the development of values and morals within others, and serves as an outstanding citizen.
Timothy Hopkins `83, `85, `00
Hopkins has spent the better part of his life championing the efforts to grow and develop students from the K-12 experience through their college years. He has held numerous roles in the public education system, including as guidance counselor, principal, director of assessment, executive director of instruction and his current role as deputy superintendent with the Kershaw County School District. Hopkins, who has always looked for ways to promote Winthrop and displays a genuine love for his alma mater, recently completed 12 years as the Governor’s Designee on the university’s Board of Trustees.
ALUMNI PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award is presented to an alumna/us who has made significant contributions to his or her professional field while exemplifying high moral and business ethics.
Len Lawson ’02
Lawson is being honored for his outstanding accomplishments in teaching and writing and advocating for poetry. He has released two full-length poetry collections that center on redefining perceptions of race, class and community, and has conducted extensive research in the field. As an assistant professor of English at Newberry College, he initiated and is chair of the Black Faculty Caucus and is a program coordinator for the college's inaugural African American Studies program.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us age 35 or younger whose service to the university, service to the community and professional achievements have reflected positively on all alumni and the university.
Brandon Sanders ’10
Sanders ’10 is being honored for his outstanding accomplishments in teaching, arts administration and band programs. Sanders has taught and led band programs at various middle schools before being named earlier this year as Northwestern High School’s associate director of bands. Under his guidance, numerous students have annually earned seats in various honor bands and achieved top ratings at solo and ensemble festivals.
Read more about Brandon Sanders.
For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 803/323-2145 or e-mail alumni@winthrop.edu.
