February has shown us some love!
As we approach the end of the month, it’s encouraging to see what all we have accomplished so far. We released the results from our latest economic impact study, hosted our annual market outlook, published our latest Winthrop Magazine, presented our budget request to the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Senate Finance committee, and much more. I’d like to share with you below another item of great news and some upcoming events to put on your radar:
Sixth-Straight Year at #1!
I am very pleased to share with you that for the sixth-straight year Winthrop has secured the top spot among the four-year state universities in South Carolina in meeting our affirmative action goals for recruiting, retaining and promoting minorities and women, according to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission. This is evidence that Winthrop continues to value and prioritize the diversity of its faculty and staff. To see how other schools compare to Winthrop, view the S.C. Human Affairs Commission report.
Winthrop Day at the State House
Students, alumni, trustees, senior leaders and I will travel to Columbia on Thursday, Feb. 29, for Winthrop Day at the State House. This annual event is an opportunity for us to advocate for Winthrop to our legislators. What better way to advocate than by hearing the success stories of our wonderful students and alumni. To support our efforts in Columbia on that day, I am declaring Thursday, Feb. 29, as Garnet and Gold Thursday! Please show your support by wearing Winthrop gear or garnet and gold. We also will be encouraging our alumni and supporters to participate as well via social media. We hope Feb. 29 will be a sea of garnet and gold across the state so that our legislators know what a profound impact Winthrop has on South Carolina. I’d like to thank Gary Simrill, special assistant to the president for community engagement, for organizing this special day.
Staff Conference Presentation
Provost Sebastian van Delden and Peter Judge, former interim provost, will share information on new academic degree program offerings, competency-based education initiatives, their implementation timelines, and more during the March 1 Staff Conference at 2:30 p.m. in G02 Owens Hall. I encourage staff to attend this session to hear all the exciting developments that are and will be happening in the Academic Affairs division.
Faculty/Staff Town Hall
Please mark your calendar for a March 26 town hall that will take place at 11 a.m. in Richardson Ballroom. More details to come, but this town hall will be an opportunity to learn more about what’s happening at the university by asking questions of me and the vice presidents. You may submit questions in advance by sending an e-mail to townhalls@winthrop.edu. In case you cannot attend, the town hall will be recorded and a viewing link will be shared afterwards.
Spring Sports Underway
Finally, I encourage you to support our spring sports teams – baseball, softball, lacrosse – at some games this season. Even more of an incentive to attend is that the athletic department offers free admission to employees and their immediate family members to all regular season home events! Check out the teams’ schedules, and best of luck on successful seasons. Go Eagles!
As always, there’s a lot of great things happening at Winthrop, and that’s because of the hard work and dedication from our faculty, staff and students. Thank you for your efforts and contributions.
Edward
Edward Serna
President
