ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Dalton B. Floyd, Jr., 86, a Surfside Beach attorney who was a lifelong advocate for higher education in South Carolina and a former chair of Winthrop University’s Board of Trustees, passed away on Monday, April 14.
Floyd’s leadership helped shape policy and strengthen access to higher education for countless South Carolinians.
Floyd joined the Winthrop board in 2007 as an appointee by Gov. Mark Sanford. The General Assembly then elected him to a six-year term representing one of two at-large seats during which time he led the board.
Glenn McCall, current Winthrop board chair, said that Floyd impressed fellow board members with his tireless efforts to strengthen the university. “He helped guide Winthrop to accomplish its institutional goals and to fulfill its educational mission of providing outstanding service to Winthrop students and the state of South Carolina,” McCall said. “He was a great leader, and it was an honor to serve on the board with him.”
At Winthrop, Floyd and his wife, Linda, made a generous donation which was used to establish a college-readiness program in 2019. Winthrop Professor Jared Androzzi, director of the physical education teacher program and of the Floyd College Readiness Program, said Floyd was deeply invested in supporting high school students in being successful in higher education in South Carolina.
“The Dalton and Linda Floyd College Readiness Program is a career-readiness program which prepares high school students for college success, teaching them study habits, finding academic support, securing financial stability and maintaining personal wellness,” Androzzi said. “Mr. Floyd was a philanthropist who made a real difference in helping others prosper in life.”
Floyd received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian award for service to the state, for his work as member and chairman of the S.C. Commission on Higher Education from 1996 through 2005. In addition to his membership on various legal and civic organizations, Floyd served on the Board of Visitors for the Medical University of South Carolina, for Coastal Carolina and the Board of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and as chair of the S.C. Higher Education Foundation.
A celebration of Floyd’s life will be held on Friday, April 25, at 2 p.m. at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, 4182 US-17 Business, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Visitation will be immediately after the service in the Belin Memorial UMC Family Life Center. Burial will be private.
His obituary may be found here.
