SPRING 2026


Holcombes’ Latest Gift to Upfit Kinard Classroom


The Milton W. & Betty M. Holcombe Foundation made a $100,000 gift to support the upfit and reno- vation of a classroom within Kinard Hall.


In making this gift, Betty Morgan Holcombe ’56, the 2025 Mary Mildred Sullivan Award recipient, wished to have a tangible impact on a space at Winthrop where she spent time as a student.


As an English major, she took many of her classes in Kinard Hall, which is what drew her to this particular project. It is anticipated that the renovations, which will include new furniture and audio-visual technolo- gy, will take place this summer.


This latest gift is one of several that the Holcombes have given to Winthrop. They have established three endowed scholarships as well as a leadership gift to Distinction: The Campaign for Winthrop that estab- lished the Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center at the Stewart House.


ADVANCEMENT NEWS Top-Flight Scholars Program Helps Honors Students Soar


To attract the best and brightest students, you have to offer them an exceptional, and exclusive, educational opportunity.


That’s exactly what the Honors College’s Top- Flight Scholars program aims to do. With generous support from members of the Honors College Leadership Council and with Elaine Whitton Davis ’73 serving as an early champion and angel investor in the initiative – the top 10 percent of Honors College students are accepted into the Top-Flight Scholars program to serve as ambassadors of the college, attend recruitment events, and represent the college in a positive and meaningful way.


“Our Top-Flight Scholars represent some of the Milton W. and Betty M. Holcombe Athletics Launches Elite Philanthropic Giving Society Leave Your Legacy and Support Winthrop’s Future


for those interested in making a lasting difference for students, faculty and programs. Whether you are just beginning to consider your plans or revisiting them, the website serves as a welcoming starting point for thoughtful reflection and meaningful action.


A legacy gift is more than a financial decision — it is a powerful statement of belief in Winthrop’s future.


Winthrop’s new planned giving website offers alumni and friends an inspiring, easy-to-navigate resource for shaping a legacy that reflects their values and love for Winthrop.


Designed to demystify estate and charitable planning, the site provides clear, practical guidance


20


There are several easy ways to make an impactful gift. Supporters may choose to remember Winthrop in their will or trust, ensuring future generations benefit from their generosity. Others may designate Winthrop as a beneficiary of retirement assets — such as retirement plans, life insurance policies, bank accounts, or investment accounts — often with significant tax advantages. Donors age 70½ and older may also consider a tax-free IRA Charitable Rollover Contribution, a simple way to support Winthrop while satisfying required minimum distributions.


Visit the new planned giving site at https:// giftplanning.winthrop.edu.


Winthrop Athletics recently launched the Winthrop Impact Network (WIN), a distinguished philanthropic giving society established to support and elevate Winthrop’s 16 NCAA Division I programs and nearly 300 student-athletes.


Membership in WIN starts at $25,000 and can be pledged over a period of up to five years. Gifts may be directed to specific priorities such as capital projects and facility improvements, sport- specific funds, scholarships, revenue sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiatives and more.


Brad Kopp, a volunteer assistant coach with women’s golf and scorekeeper for the baseball team, was the first Eagles supporter to join WIN. “There’s a lot of competing interest for


For more information on giving opportunities, please visit www.winthrop.edu/give or call 803/323-2275.


21


charitable dollars, and all are really worthy, but as I became closer with athletics department employees and got to know some of the incredible student- athletes and see how hard they work, it just made sense to help in this way,” said Kopp, who retired from corporate finance and has taught as an adjunct professor in the College of Business and Technology since 2018.


best that the Honors College has to offer. They are a group of very talented students that are responsibility-driven, natural leaders,


and highly respected amongst their peers,” said Honors College Dean Nick Grossoehme. “They are my go-to students to get feedback on what is working and what can be improved upon to make us the best and most competitive Honors College in the state.”


Grossoehme noted that during the program’s inaugural fall semester, Top-Flight Scholars earned an average GPA of 3.81 and seven of the 19 scholars made a perfect 4.0.


Financial support remains a need to attract these bright students. “Support to these committed scholarships helps us compete for the best students in the state.”

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15