WR Dear Friends:


It is hard to believe that I am writing my last President’s Letter. My two plus years as interim president at this wonderful institution have flown by. Alison and I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you, and I thank you for your encouragement and support during our time here.


As you’ll read in this edition of the Winthrop Magazine, the university will be led, beginning in July, by one of its own. In February, trustees selected Edward A. Serna ’02 as Winthrop’s 12th president, and I know that Dr. Serna and his family will be tremendous assets to the university and the Rock Hill community. Winthrop’s future is bright and limitless under his leadership. I encourage you to read more about Dr. Serna in this edition, as well as the university’s solid foundation on which Dr. Serna will build.


Other articles of interest that you’ll find in this edition of the Winthrop Magazine include:


• A compelling feature on two of Winthrop’s first international students – twins Marian and Helen Chuan, Class of 1949 – who arrived on campus in the early 1940s from Shanghai;


• A fascinating profile on Master of Social Work student Meghan Bayer who has a rare disease and tirelessly advocates for herself and others;


• How Derion Reid ’14, a patent agent, helps protect vital life-saving technology;


• A then-and-now look at the career of Sarah Lageman ’97, a neuropsychologist who was first featured in the spring 2004 edition of the Winthrop Magazine;


• Three golf team alumni – Christian Sease ’16, ’17, Kyle Bearden ’13 and Jordan Sease ’12 – who have each been named South Carolina Golf Association Player of the Year; and


• The latest campus news, alumni news and university advancement updates.


I hope you enjoy reading this edition of the Winthrop Magazine. As Alison and I prepare to re-enter retirement life, I look forward to keeping up with Winthrop and you, as I know bright days are ahead.


Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle,


WINTHROP UNIVERSITY


BOARD OF TRUSTEES


GLENN MCCALL Chair, Rock Hill


KATHY HUDSON BIGHAM ’73 Vice Chair, Rock Hill


JOHN BRAZELL ’93 Columbia


George W. Hynd Interim President


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


JENNIFER JORDAN Faculty Liaison to the Board


JOHN KROFT ’18 Staff Liaison to the Board


ERIN EMIROGLU Student Liaison to the Board


GEORGE W. HYND Interim President


KIMBERLY FAUST


Vice President and Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees


ELLEN WILDER-BYRD ’88, ’94 Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing


GARY WILLIAMS ’11 Rock Hill


CAMPUS NEWS 18 | ADVANCEMENT NEWS 20 | ALUMNI NEWS 22 | CLASS NOTES 24 | MILESTONES 26 DEPARTMENTS


EDITORIAL STAFF


MONICA BENNETT, editor PETER AIRHEART, senior designer


contributing writers: NICOLE CHISARI ’09, ’16 JUDY LONGSHAW


NOTES


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.


FEATURES EDWARD A. SERNA, 12TH PRESIDENT BUILDING ON A SOLID FOUNDATION TWINS FIND JOY IN LIFE OF SERVICE ONE-IN-A-MILLION MEG DESTINED TO FIND HIS CALLING THEN & NOW: SARAH LAGEMAN GOLF ALUMNI THRIVE


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