Campus News

Winthrop Board Re-Elects Chair, Vice Chair; Stroman Joins as Newest Member

Mahony Shares Strategic Plan Updates During Annual Address

President Dan Mahony, in his Oct. 5 State of the University address, shared Winthrop’s progress as it continues to lead as an institution that values diversity and focuses on the success of each student. Te address gave Mahony the opportunity to update the campus and community on efforts to advance the university’s strategic plan.

Mahony debuted the strategic plan, entitled the Winthrop Plan, which serves as a blueprint for the university through 2025, during last year’s inaugural State of the University address. Te plan outlines the five goals and initiatives that Winthrop will achieve to drive enrollment, retention, student success, diversity and fundraising in order to become a national model for a student-centered university experience.

Karl Folkens Glenn McCall

Trustees unanimously re-elected Karl Folkens ’78 and Glenn McCall to serve as chair and vice chair for another one-year term. A Florence attorney, Folkens has served 19 years on the Board of Trustees, with five terms as board chair and six terms as vice-chair. McCall, a retired senior vice president of Bank of America, was first appointed to the Winthrop board in 2011 as the Education Superintendent designee. He was then legislatively elected to an at-large seat in 2014.

In other board news, the trustees welcomed their newest member, Sandra Stroman ’73, ’76, this fall. Stroman was

Sandra Stroman

elected to a six-year term by the South Carolina General Assembly for an at-large seat previously held by Sue Smith- Rex, a Winthrop emerita professor of education.

Stroman, who is retired from the Chester school district, taught special education and social studies for 25 years and is National Board certified in special education and learning disabilities.

She holds a communications undergraduate degree and a special education graduate degree, both from Winthrop.

U.S. News, Princeton Review Recognize Winthrop for Quality, Veteran Services and Diversity

Winthrop continues its streak near the top of the South’s public regional universities that convey bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report’s edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Ranking eighth among Southern public universities, Winthrop moved into the top 25 of public and private institutions in the region. Te university also was recognized again as being among the region’s Best Colleges for Veterans.

Te Princeton Review’s “2018 Best Colleges: Region By Region” online edition included Winthrop in its annual list of among 140 regional universities, and Winthrop was praised for its diverse student body and beautiful campus.

18

New 100 Percent Online Graduate Programs Coming

Beginning in the fall of 2018, Winthrop will offer a range of 100 percent online graduate programs.

Te university will start with four degrees: Master of Business Administration, Master of Education in Special Education Intervention, Master of Social Work and Master of Art in Arts Administration.

Tis option capitalizes on research results that showed those seeking advanced degrees want more options and flexibility when it comes to online learning.

For more information, contact the Graduate School at gradschool@winthrop.edu or 803/323-2204.

Karen Kedrowski

To view Mahony’s State of the University presentation and to learn more about the metrics that were shared, please visit www.winthrop.edu/president.

Center for Civic Learning Launched; Sumter Named CAS Interim Dean

In order to capitalize on Winthrop’s strong reputation for public service and community engagement, the university launched the Center for Civic Learning and named former College of Arts and Sciences Dean Karen Kedrowski as the center’s executive director.

Te creation of the center builds on the momentum of the 2016 election cycle and extends Winthrop’s successful efforts to engage campus, local, state, regional, and national communities in civic and civil discourse through policy analysis; by hosting debates, political candidates, and other speakers from across the political and ideological spectrum; and by infusing civic values throughout the curriculum.

Takita Sumter

Professor of Biochemistry and Provost Faculty Fellow Takita Sumter was named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and is serving a one-year term while a national search is completed. She oversees 14 departments and five centers and more than 300 full- and part-time faculty and staff.

19