We’ve had a great month!
Thank you to everyone who attended either in-person or virtually last week’s F/S town hall. The vice presidents and I appreciated the thoughtful questions many of you submitted in advance or asked during the session, and I hope you left feeling updated on important campus initiatives. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, you may watch the recorded town hall here. Questions that were not answered because of time constraints have been answered in this PDF. I plan to hold another town hall following the February Board of Trustees retreat.
I’d also like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped make our Homecoming and Reunion a success. I enjoying attending the faculty/staff alumni luncheon; honoring our five outstanding alumni award winners; and interacting with faculty, staff, students and alumni throughout the week. It was truly a great time.
I wanted to update you on a few items that may be of interest:
New Degree Program
During its Nov. 7 meeting, the S.C. Commission on Higher Education gave us final approval
for our Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology degree program. This new program, the state’s first, will be offered through the College
of Business and Technology hopefully next fall. Special thanks to Dean P.N. Saksena
and Provost Sebastian van Delden for their work in making this exciting program happen.
Giving Tuesday
Please join me in supporting Winthrop on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. Most of us are familiar with this global initiative that is held the Tuesday after
Thanksgiving. Be on the lookout for more information on how we can make a difference
in our students’ lives through contributions of any amount.
Dec. 6 Holiday Happenings
On Friday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-noon, faculty and staff will get an exclusive look inside Byrnes Auditorium during our annual holiday drop-in. I am very excited about Byrnes coming back online,
and I hope you’ll visit the renovated space while kicking off our holiday season.
A more formal e-mail invitation will be coming to you shortly, but Lauren and I hope
you will mark your calendar to join us in Byrnes for holiday treats and conversation.
Later that day, at 6 p.m., the Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Council will host the 89th Annual Tree Lighting on the front lawn. Enjoy performances by the Winthrop RockHettes, Chorale and Collegiate Choir, and countdown to the lighting of the flagpole on the front lawn. Yes, that’s right, the flagpole! This year’s lighting will look different in order to ensure the historic Southern Magnolia continues to thrive for years to come. Our attempt at projected lights on the tree last year was underwhelming so the flagpole at the new fountain will be lit in the shape of a Christmas tree to celebrate the season. If you cannot attend in person, watch the livestream on the Alumni Association Facebook page! Stay after the tree lighting to enjoy the 6:30 p.m. Rock Hill Christmas Parade.
December Commencement
Let’s celebrate our nearly 350 graduates and their incredible accomplishments on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Winthrop
Coliseum. Philip Gibson, our 2024 Distinguished Professor, will deliver the Commencement
address. Commencement is one of my favorite times, so please join me as we send our
graduates off with the celebration that they deserve.
Finally, as we enter this season of giving thanks, I am truly thankful for each of you and Winthrop. Lauren, the girls and I wish you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
