message from the PRESIDENT Dear Friends:
I am happy to share with you that Winthrop has successfully navigated a fall semester that has challenged us to change habits, think and act differently, and adapt to our new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The semester’s class offerings featured a mix of in-person classes, remote instruction and a hybrid version that incorporated both in- person and online instruction. Our students, faculty and staff have worked hard to embrace change and thrive no matter the course delivery method.
Through it all, I have noticed that one characteristic has not changed: our community’s unquenchable desire to learn. Great
teaching has continued and inquiring minds have still been ready to learn no matter how a course is delivered.
Throughout this Winthrop Magazine edition, you will read more about how students, faculty and alumni have embraced learning during this unique and challenging time. I encourage you to read more about:
• The scientific research that has placed Winthrop on the map for this work and brought in millions in grant dollars over 15 years;
• How Professor of Design Gerry Derksen spent his sabbatical creating an educational toy designed for autistic children;
• A new service-learning initiative that allows our students to safely help their local communities while learning remotely; and
• Compelling profiles on Antwon Sutton ’02, ’04, who worked his way up from driving a school bus to becoming a school district superintendent, and Nicole Davenport ’15, ’16, ’20, who is examining equality, access and diversity throughout museums across the Southeast.
As you can see, there are many great things happening at Winthrop. We vow to continue our COVID-19 vigilance and safety protocols so that we can come back from the holidays to an equally successful start and finish to the spring semester.
Thank you for being a part of this special Winthrop community. I hope that we are able to soon meet so that I can hear about how much Winthrop means to you.
Sincerely,
WR
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
GLENN MCCALL Chair, Rock Hill
KATHY HUDSON BIGHAM ’73 Vice Chair, Rock Hill
JOHN BRAZELL ’93 Columbia
ED DRIGGERS ’92 Greer
JULIE GORE FOWLER ’85, ’88 Simpsonville
TIMOTHY L. HOPKINS ’83, ’85, ’00 Lugoff
RANDY IMLER ’87, ’00 Tega Cay
JANE LAWTON LAROCHE ’70 Camden
TIM SEASE ’87 Mt. Pleasant
ROBBY SISCO ’80 Florence
JANET RICE SMALLEY ’72 Walhalla
SANDRA STROMAN ’73, ’76 Chester
ISAIAH VENNING ’95, ’00 Rock Hill
ASHLYE WILKERSON ’05 Columbia
GARY WILLIAMS ’11 Rock Hill
ADOLPHUS BELK JR. Faculty Representative
BRANDON JACKSON Student Representative
GEORGE W. HYND Interim President
KIMBERLY FAUST
Vice President and Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees
George W. Hynd Interim President
ELLEN WILDER-BYRD ’88, ’94
Associate Vice President for Communications and Market ing
NOTES
About the cover: Faces of the freshman class make up this stunning image. The group had to forego the traditional class photo for COVID-19 safety reasons, but each class member is a special part of the Winthrop community of learners.
Winthrop Magazine is published for alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of Winthrop University by University Communications and Marketing.
Winthrop University offers equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational activities.
All cities referenced in editorial content are located in South Carolina unless otherwise indicated.
FALL 2020 1 DEPARTMENTS
CAMPUS NEWS ADVANCEMENT NEWS ALUMNI NEWS
CLASS NOTES MILESTONES
12 16 17 18 20
EDITORIAL STAFF
MONICA BENNETT, editor PETER AIRHEART, senior designer
contributing writers: NICOLE CHISARI ’09, ’16 KAYE HAYES JUDY LONGSHAW
FEATURES
SCIENCE GRANTS ENHANCE RESEARCH NEW SMART TOY TAKES SHAPE
APART BUT TOGETHER FOR CHANGE RISING THROUGH THE EDUCATION RANKS MAKING MUSEUMS ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE
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6 8 10
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