ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Five accomplished Winthrop University alumni will be honored for their service and professional achievements at the Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 7. The event, which is one of several events held during Homecoming and Reunion, is by invitation only and sponsored by Founders Federal Credit Union.
The recipients are: Glenda Pittman Owens ’59, Mary Mildred Sullivan Award; J. Edward (Eddie) Lee ’83, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; Erin Duffy Patel ’07, ’09, Alumni Distinguished Service Award; the Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin ’94, Alumni Professional Achievement Award; and Jeff Robinson ’14, ’20, 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.
Glenda Pittman Owens ’59
A first-generation college graduate from Lancaster, South Carolina, Owens began her career of service as president of Bancroft Hall while a student at Winthrop. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in library science, she worked as a teacher and librarian before transitioning to full-time motherhood. She has given back to her community and her alma mater in many ways, including service on the Alumni Executive Board, the university’s last capital campaign, the Charleston Alumni Council, and much more.
Read more about Glenda Pittman Owens.
ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN AWARD
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.
J. Edward (Eddie) Lee ’83
A 40-year veteran of the university classroom, a prominent South Carolina historian
and a Winthrop legacy, Lee earned a Master of Arts in history from Winthrop. He also
holds an undergraduate degree from Presbyterian College and a Ph.D. from the University
of South Carolina. He was the youngest person ever elected to the Chester County Council
and later served as mayor of the City of York. His awards include the Order of the
Palmetto and the State Historic Preservation Award, among others.
Read more about J. Edward (Eddie) Lee.
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.
Erin Duffy Patel ’07, ’09
After earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration and an M.B.A., Patel spent more than 14 years in consumer product goods, including roles as director of category management at Anheuser-Busch and senior category manager at Kimberly-Clark, Conagra, Clorox and Chobani. An adjunct instructor in the College of Business and Technology, she has served her alma mater through partnerships, panels, mentorships and philanthropic gifts. She’s also served on several nonprofit boards.
Read more about Erin Duffy Patel.
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.
The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin ’94
A lifelong Columbia native, Judge Benjamin earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in political science from Winthrop and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1997. She currently serves as a United States Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, only the second African-American woman and the first person of color from South Carolina to do so. She previously served as an assistant solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and as an assistant attorney general and as lead Violence Against Women Act prosecutor for the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General.
Read more about The Honorable DeAndrea Gist Benjamin ’94.
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.
Jeff Robinson ’14, ’20
A lifelong musician and arts advocate, Robinson serves as the executive director of the South Carolina Arts Alliance, in which he strengthens policy, support and public funding for the creative sector at the state and national levels. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration, both from Winthrop, and previously worked as an educator in York County and the Office of Outreach at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities.
Read more about Jeff Robinson.
For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 803/323-2145 or e-mail alumni@winthrop.edu.
