THESE ROOTS RUN DEEP HAZEL SOMERVILLE SHARES LOVE OF WINTHROP THROUGH SERVICE

Hazel Bailes Somerville ’69 can trace her lineage back for centuries in York, and although she’s traveled the world, there are two places to which she always returns: her hometown and Winthrop.

Somerville and her husband of 45 years, Murray, have strengthened their relationship with Winthrop over the years, including establishing both an organ performance endowment in their names and the Friends of D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ Performance Fund. She hopes these initiatives will invigorate Winthrop’s

organ tradition. The couple has worked to bring internationally renowned organists and artists to campus over the last two years.

A Winthrop Medal of Honor in the Arts recipient, Somerville began taking piano lessons when she was seven years old, organ lessons at 13. She knew that she wanted to attend Winthrop and study music.

“Music captures you, rather than you capturing the music,” she said. “The organ at our church fascinated me. Charlotte has always had a lively church music scene, and I admired those people. It was never a question for me of what to study. It was always music.”

After graduation, she pursued a master’s degree at Union Theological Seminary’s School of Sacred Music, where she met her English husband. Their musical careers took them to Connecticut, Orlando and Boston. After one too many snowstorms, they made their way to Nashville, where she served on the faculty of Vanderbilt University as artistic director of the Blair Children’s Choruses.

A NEW WINTHROP ENDEAVOR

In addition to her commitment to Winthrop’s music program, she has also dedicated her time and service to the newly founded Winthrop Women’s Coalition as a member of its leadership council.

“[The Winthrop Women’s Coalition] is an organization of women that cares about Winthrop and wants to make sure that Winthrop remains as strong and helpful to future students as it has been in the past,” Somerville explained.

First Lady Laura Mahony created the group last year to harness the collective strength, knowledge and generosity of women who want to be more engaged with the university and the community.

“I was constantly reminded of what Winthrop does best — and has done for more than 130 years — produce and attract strong, accomplished and philanthropic women just like Hazel,” said Mahony. “We all share a love for Winthrop. The coalition is a way for us to share that love and to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Somerville and other leadership council members serve as ambassadors through their own philanthropic contributions, they identify potential coalition members and work closely with Winthrop officials to support the vision of the Winthrop Plan.

“The Winthrop Women’s Coalition has been just the thing,” Somerville said. “I feel very fulfilled that I can contribute to Winthrop, but still allow Winthrop to contribute to me…Yes, it’s about philanthropy, but by our giving, we are receiving so much: to feel more a part of Winthrop. I’m very happy to be a part of that.”

Mahony said Somerville is the epitome of what coalition members embody: passionate, engaged and strong minded. “What I love about Hazel is she has that pioneering spirit for which this wonderful legacy of Winthrop women is known,” she said.

Somerville looks forward to her work with the coalition and her continuing efforts in support of organ performance.

“These roots are very deep,” she said. “Winthrop has always been a part of my life.”

Watch a video to hear from members on what the Winthrop Women’s Coalition means to them.

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Learn more about the Winthrop Women’s Coalition, its mission and how to join.

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