ADVANCEMENT NEWS Student Emergency and Assistance Fund Exceeds Goal
Because of the generosity of Winthrop support- ers, who came together on May 5 for Giving Tuesday Now, the university exceeded its goal of raising $25,000 for the newly developed Student Emergency and Assistance Fund. On the desig- nated global day of giving and unity, the Winthrop community came together to support students impacted by COVID-19.
With the campus closure in March and transition to remote learning, a number of students faced hardships related to housing and moving expens- es, food insecurities, transportation, resources re- quired for remote learning and other basic needs. The fund was quickly created to provide relief to students.
The university solicited the help of champions, including alumni volunteers and community supporters, to help promote the fund on Giving Tuesday Now via social media and to garner peer-to-peer support.
The Student Emergency and Assistance Fund was set up through the Winthrop Foundation with the Division of Student Affairs managing requests from more than 50 students. So far, needs have ranged from helping students pay for rent, groceries and utilities, while some students needed help with housing due to international travel restrictions.
To contribute to the fund, contact University Advancement at 803/323-2275 or visit
justgiving.com/campaign/winthropstrong.
ALUMNI NEWS
Stay Connected with Virtual Alumni Engagement
Although gathering together in person cannot happen at this time, the Alumni Association is offering a number of ways to stay connected with Winthrop:
1) Winthrop Connect: Post your alum- ni-owned business on Winthrop Connect to promote your business and support other alumni-owned businesses.
2) Digital Backgrounds: Download virtual background images for video conference calls, like Zoom, that enable you to display the Winthrop brand.
3) Resources from the Center for Career and Civic Engagement: The center has a variety of resources available to assist alumni who are searching for employment, serving as professional representatives for organizations or recruiting on behalf of companies.
Students Help Perform Wellness Checks
Due to the campus’ closure in March due to COVID-19, the Division of University Advancement had to cancel its Phonathon program. The program relies on student ambassadors who connect with Winthrop alumni, parents and friends to communi- cate the university’s funding needs. To keep students employed during the closure, they were given the opportunity to use the Phonathon calling software from home.
Instead of asking alumnI and supporters for donations, students called those who had given in
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the past to thank them for their generous gifts to Winthrop and to perform wellness checks on them to ensure they were healthy and well during the pandemic.
The Phonathon program is an integral piece of Winthrop’s annual fundraising drive.
For more information, contact Nicole Crist, annual giving coordinator, at 803/323-4018 or via e-mail at
cristn@winthrop.edu.
4) Coloring pages: Have some family fun by downloading six Winthrop-themed coloring pages.
5) Virtual Alumni Book Club: Connect with fellow alumni while reading books related to lifelong learning, professional development, social issues and more. It’s free! Just get a copy of the book to enjoy! Learn more and join today!
6) Virtual Alumni Socials: The Alumni Association is partnering with Alumni Chapters and Young Alumni Councils to host virtual alumni socials. If you live close to one of our Alumni Chapters or Young Alumni Councils be sure to connect with the Alumni Association so you can receive news on virtual alumni gatherings in your area.
Look Back at a Memorable 2019
In 2019, the Alumni Association hosted more than 50 events that nearly 800 alumni attended. Read more about these special events and connections. O
Homecoming Paused; Class Reunions Moved to Spring
Due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, Winthrop will hit the pause button on all Homecoming activities this fall. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend was scheduled for Nov. 13-14. More information will be shared when these annual events are safe to resume.
The university recently announced that the class reunion portion of the weekend has been postponed until spring 2021. Alumni with class years ending in 0 or 5 will soon hear from the Alumni Association about spring activities, which includes the Class of 1970 50th reunion and other class reunions, memorabilia displays, trolley tours and the Alumni Reunion and Awards Luncheon.
Visit the Homecoming and Reunion Weekend website for more information.
Nominate a Deserving Alumni
Nominations for the 2020 Alumni Awards will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 30. The 2020 Alumni Award recipients will be honored at the Alumni Reunion and Awards Luncheon in spring 2021.
To nominate a graduate for the Alumni Distinguished Service Award, Alumni Professional Achievement Award or the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, complete the Alumni Awards Nomination Form for the respective award and submit to Lori Tuttle, executive director of alumni relations, at
tuttlel@winthrop.edu.
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