Faculty and Staff - June 14, 2024

Now that we’ve settled into the summer schedule, and I’ve had some time to look back at the last academic year, I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. It would be impossible to capture everything, but the following might be considered an unofficial top 10, as we:

  • Fleshed out our strategic plan – Winthrop: United in Excellence – with plans for a full launch this fall;
  • Achieved our highest U.S. News ranking to date;
  • Quantified our impressive economic contributions to surrounding areas through an economic impact study;
  • Launched our Tuition Transparency Initiative, effectively removing the label of Winthrop having the highest tuition and fees in the state;
  • Celebrated 25 years of hosting the U.S. Disc Golf Championship and welcomed for the first time the College Disc Golf National Championship;
  • Overcame significant obstacles associated with the Department of Education FAFSA fiasco;
  • Recognized coeducation and integration milestones;
  • Created an Honors College that will launch next fall;
  • Secured a Big South Championship in men’s golf and two esports national championships; and
  • Compiled a record-breaking Bleed Garnet, Give Gold Day of Giving (with more than $300,000 raised!)

Add to that our enrollment indicators are the strongest that they have been post-Covid (see below), and donors have a renewed confidence in Winthrop as seen through recent gifts yet to be announced. When I say Winthrop is on the rise, I truly mean it. It takes us all working together to make these achievements possible, and I thank you for your contributions!

Now, let’s turn the focus to what’s coming up. Below are a few items I’d like to share with you:

Investing in Winthrop Summer Edition

I am pleased to share with you the latest edition of our facilities update, Investing in Winthrop. Sustained investments in Winthrop's campus continue to impress our stakeholders. In this iteration, read more about our plans for the summer months and beyond as we ensure one of the state's most picturesque universities remains a vital driver in the local economy and a major contributor to regional quality of life. Thank you to our facilities management team who spearhead these important projects!

Enrollment and Orientation

I have some very good news to pass along regarding our fall enrollment outlook and this summer’s Orientation sessions. Joe Miller has shared with me that the admissions staff exceeded its deposit goals. To date, 920 freshmen and 220 transfer students have put down deposits to attend this fall, an encouraging indicator for fall enrollment numbers. I’m also pleased to share that we are in good shape on housing these students. Beds are available to all those who wish to live on campus. Our first Orientation session this month was very successful, and there are more sessions to come. I think you’ll agree that all of this is fantastic news, and a huge thank you to our admissions, financial aid, and New Student and Family Programs staff for getting these students to campus!

June Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Winthrop Board of Trustees will be June 26-27. Action will be taken on several items of business, including setting a subscription rate for our Competency-Based Education initiative, approving the demolition contract for Wofford and Richardson, and more. Be on the lookout for the meeting agenda which will be e-mailed to the campus community closer to those dates.

Day of Dedications Reminder

On Thursday, June 27, we will dedicate both the new fountain and the Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center at the Stewart House. The fountain dedication will take place at 2 p.m. We’ll have a short program in Tillman Auditorium before heading out to the fountain for a champagne toast. Then, we’ll head over to the Stewart House for a 3:30 ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the alumni center’s new location. Please RSVP here by today’s deadline to attend one or both of these celebrations.

Please enjoy the rest of the summer. Before we know it, we’ll be welcoming our newest class of Eagles at Convocation on Aug. 19!

Edward

Edward Serna
President