WINTER 2024


ADVANCEMENT NEWS


Patels’ Gift Celebrates Winthrop’s Role in Their Lives


When asked why they made a challenge gift for the 2023 Bleed Garnet, Give Gold Day of Giving, Erin ’07, ’09 and Arpit Patel ‘07 wanted to emphasize the gift was not about them. The couple, who has enjoyed successful careers in data analytics and accounting, said, “This was all about Winthrop.”


Erin spoke about the impact Winthrop has made. “Winthrop changed our lives entirely. Arpit got out of poverty, and I got the support to grow into who I could be instead of who everyone thought I was. Making this gift was about extending our Winthrop experience into the future for others.


“I had a lot of struggles in high school, but my life really blossomed in college. That had every- thing to do with being in a place where faculty focus on students first. When I wanted an oppor- tunity to stretch and grow, whether that be an opportunity to participate in research with facul- ty, lead a project or do an internship, Winthrop had space for me to do those things. Because of the size of Winthrop, I was able to figure things out without the pressure of competing against thousands of other students. Plus, my faculty


When I wanted an opportunity to stretch and grow, whether that be an opportunity to participate in research with faculty, lead a project or do an internship, Winthrop had space for me to do those things. –Erin Patel


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were, and still are, a strong contributor to my success.”


Erin also discussed the impact Winthrop had on her husband, who typically doesn’t want focus on himself. “As an immigrant from India, Winthrop also gave Arpit opportunities he had never ex- perienced. His parents were working labor jobs and struggling a bit. A lot of their focus was on surviving through the day, because their jobs were subject to layoffs at any time. Arpit sought a career where he could settle and be secure. What he found at Winthrop was more than security. He found a way to grow and be the best version of himself.”


When asked what they would say to motivate others to give, Erin said, “The best part of my life began the first day I set foot on this campus. I grew here. I met my husband here. I chose my career path here, and I now teach here as an adjunct member of the faculty. I think if Winthrop has made your life better, giving back so others can experi- ence that same kind of impact should be some- thing you want to do. Changing lives for the better is at the heart of education.”


Faculty Members Establish Endowed Fellowship


When a group of five biology faculty mem- bers, Cassandra Bell, Janice Chism, Dwight Dimaculangan, Jim Johnston and Bill Rogers, teamed up more than a decade ago to co-author a textbook, there was no hesitation about what to do with royalties. “We knew from the start we wanted any money we received to benefit stu- dents,” said Chism.


The group directed the publisher to send all royal- ties to the Winthrop Foundation, where they were held until a decision could be made on how to use it. When the book was no longer being published, they were pleased to learn the amount was nearly enough to create a permanent endowment.


After adding the additional funds needed to reach an endowment level, they established The Bell,


Chism, Dimaculangan, Johnston and Rogers Endowed Fellowship.


The fellowship supports Winthrop students who participate in field travel courses in foreign countries or at distant locations in the United States. First preference is given to students enrolled in the M.S. in Biology program or undergraduate biology majors who demonstrate financial need. One unique condition of the fund is that it is designed to support the travel costs for the students rather than their research.


Schwab Gift to Establish Professional Development Program for Finance Students


Schwab Advisor Services, in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation, will provide a multi-year grant to Winthrop to prepare business majors for a financial planning career.


The four-year gift will create, develop and launch the Charles Schwab Foundation Professional Development Program. The new initiative will provide scholarships, mentorship,


professional development, and additional support for finance students on the financial planning track, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Board Registered Program.


Prospective students for the program will be those with strong academic potential who are traditionally underrepresented in the field. Over the next four years, the goal is to have 40 students complete the program.


The Charles Schwab Foundation has support- ed Winthrop’s financial planning program for several years and this new initiative will further strengthen the partnership.


If the gifts described here inspire you to give or pique your curiosity about giving, please contact the Division of University Advancement at 803/323-2275 or visit www.winthrop.edu/give.


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