An impressive line-up of guests will be on campus for the second half of the spring semester, and I want to help promote their time here. Our Hornsby M.L.A. Lecture speaker will be Princeton University Professor of Politics Arthur Spirling. His April 2 lecture on Artificial Intelligence will coincide with the 49th Model U.N. conference and is sure to be a fascinating talk. Then, later that week, we’ll celebrate the grand re-opening of our beloved Byrnes Auditorium with a full program of musical offerings including a performance on April 4 by world-renowned trumpeter Vince DiMartino (side note: the D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ will be featured during an April 6 concert with the Carolinas Wind Orchestra and Alumni Band as well!). And, finally, our May Commencement speaker in the morning ceremony will be theatre alumna and award-winning actress Shanola Hampton ’98, who is currently starring in and producing the hit NBC show “Found.” Watch for a release soon on Shanola’s visit which also will result in a Winthrop honorary degree. What a thrill to welcome these folks to campus! Thanks to those who helped facilitate guests of this magnitude visiting the university.
Now, I’d like to inform you of a few other upcoming events and news tidbits below.
Sellers House
As you may know, the Office of University Events, formerly located in the Sellers House, has relocated to 108 Tillman Hall. The Office of U.S. Congressman Ralph Norman is the new tenant. He and his staff will conduct official duties of the 5th congressional district from this location. This is an opportunity for Winthrop to bring in revenue on a property at the periphery of campus, while also relocating events employees closer to colleagues on the main campus.
Collegiate Disc Golf National Championship
Next month we’ll be once again hosting the Collegiate Disc Golf National Championship
at our renowned disc golf course and other courses in town. Hundreds of athletes representing
Division I, II and III teams will compete during the April 2-5 event. Hopefully beautiful
Carolina weather will greet these teams, and if you have the chance, head out to the
Winthrop Lake to watch some of the best collegiate disc golfers compete for the national
championship. Check out the schedule.
Come-See-Me Festival
Rock Hill’s annual celebration of spring will be held April 3-12 and features several events held at Winthrop, including Hops at the Park, Moonlight Jazz & Blues, the finale Tailgate Party with skydiving and fireworks, and more. I encourage you to check out the schedule of events and come out and join the fun!
SOURCE Event
Our annual Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE) will be held on April 11 around various areas of campus. This always impressive
event, now under the direction of comparative fish physiologist Salvatore Blair, features undergraduates from all disciplines presenting or performing their scholarly
and creative work. I’ve attended past SOURCE events and have been blown away with
our students and their level of work. Here at Winthrop we champion our commitment
to undergraduate research, and this event showcases that commitment. I encourage you to make time to stop by
SOURCE this year.
Faculty/Staff/Retirees Ceremony
Please join me on Tuesday, April 29, at 9:30 a.m. in Richardson Ballroom to officially
recognize the achievements of our nearly 30 retirees, more than 40 service award recipients,
and winners of the Staff Member of the Year Award, Faculty Student Life Award and
Mary Spann Richardson Award. You also have until March 28 to submit a nominee for the Winthrop Award of Excellence. This is always a great event to celebrate, connect and close out the spring semester.
As always, there’s a lot happening during this time, and please know that I appreciate everyone’s contributions. I hope to see you soon at some of the events above!
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
