SUMMER 2025
Three Outstanding Faculty Members Honored with Awards
This spring, Winthrop recognized three faculty members with prestigious teaching awards.
English Professor Matthew Fike, who retired in May, received the Distinguished Professor Award, which is the highest award given to a faculty member. It is presented to educators who demonstrate exceptional teaching skills, pursue significant research or creative efforts, hold a high standing among professional colleagues and provide general service to the university.
Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition Jessie Hoffman earned the Outstanding Junior Professor Award. This award recognizes excellence among assistant professors for inspired teaching, research or creative excellence, and for dedication to the welfare of students.
Associate Professor of Education Leadership Sherry Hoyle accepted the Jane LaRoche Graduate Faculty Award. It recognizes outstanding teaching at the graduate level and significant contributions to graduate education at Winthrop.
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Global Close Scholars Explore Japan
Matthew Fike
Several Global Close Scholars, accompanied by Vice President for Student Affairs Shelia Burkhalter, traveled to Japan this summer to explore cities including Tokyo, Nara and Osaka. In Kyoto, they visited Nijo Castle (pictured) that was once home to the first shogun of the Edo period. In addition to sightseeing, the scholars participated in a cleanup along the Arakawa River where they collected 34 bags of trash. Global Close Scholars must complete 112 hours of service per semester at an approved site and have the opportunity to participate in group travel experiences thanks to generous contributions from the Springs Close Foundation and the Springsteen Foundation.
Contracts Extended for Head Basketball Coaches
Athletic Director Chuck Rey recently announced contract extensions for Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Prosser and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Semeka Randall Lay.
Prosser, who was hired in April 2021 as the seventh head coach to lead the men's basketball program, will have a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. He wrapped up his fourth season at the helm this spring in which the team posted its second 20-win season under his watch.
Mark Prosser Semeka Randall Lay
With the women’s team, Randall Lay, who was named the head coach in April 2021, received a contract extension through the 2027-28 sea- son. She completed her fifth season this spring and led the program to one of its most success- ful seasons in recent years.
CAMPUS NEWS
Latest Common Book Selected for Freshmen, Campus
Jessie Hoffman
New students will read the 2025-26 Common Book, “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work,” this summer and then discuss the book’s themes of purpose, voca- tion and meaningful work throughout the year.
Sherry Hoyle
Told through touching conversations between friends, coworkers, and family members, in “Callings,” StoryCorps founder David Isay presents unforgettable stories from people doing work they love.
The book was selected in part to align with Winthrop’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “Flight Ready,” which aims to integrate career readiness across the university curriculum.
Melissa McCartney Welcomed as New Dean
Melissa McCartney, the founding dean of Queens University’s Graduate School, an associate provost for digital learning and chief online officer for the Charlotte- based school, will join
Melissa McCartney
Winthrop on July 16 as the dean of the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education.
In addition to her experience at Queens University, she served as an instructional de- signer, an assistant program dean and doctoral programs dean for the University of Phoenix.
She holds a Doctorate in Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from the University of Arizona.
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