Winthrop University President Edward Serna

We’re still at the top!

This morning, U.S. News and World Report released its annual “Best Colleges” guidebook, and I am proud to share that University maintained its highest ranking ever among public universities in the South. This is the second year in a row we’ve held the #5 spot. We've also earned several other esteemed rankings.

We also recently heard from The Princeton Review and have, once again, been named a Best Regional College, and have also continued our streak with Money naming us a Best College. Fortune recently named Rock Hill, our home, as one of the best to live for families.

While these rankings don’t show the entire picture of all of the great work happening here, it’s satisfying to know that U.S. News and our peers recognize that Winthrop is on the rise. With all that we have planned with phase one of our strategic plan implementation, I know our peers will continue to take note of our momentum and path forward. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TBDuiM

Great meeting today with our 2024-25 Council of Student Leaders Chair Sean Pennington (2nd from left) and Vice Chair Victoria Williams (center) along with Shelia Burkhalter, vice president for student affairs, and Amber Slack, dean of students. Also: a shot from earlier this week at the CSL induction ceremony!

Something that makes me especially proud of the experience: the opportunities students have to secure jobs and network even before they graduate, thanks to the wonderful work of the Center for Career Development and Internships, our colleges and respective departments, the Alumni Association, and more.

Fun night hosting a reception at the President’s House for the Rock Hill Symphony. Congratulations on the successful opening night of your seventh season!

Today I was pleased to present Winthrop: United in Excellence, University’s strategic plan, to faculty, staff, and students. I’m excited about the work we all did together to reach this point, and I’m even more excited about the future. I know we can achieve great things…because we’ll be working together.

“Make no little plans; they have no magic…” — Daniel Burnham, architect and city planner

While I was in Joynes Hall this morning, I got to meet Cornelia Gable Bowen from the Class of 1955. Cornelia’s grandson set up a campus tour for her so she could see the changes to campus and reminisce about her days. Thanks to the Winthrop University Alumni Association and Admissions for welcoming Cornelia and her family home! (And thanks to her grandson for setting it up!)

In September 1990, the Town and Gown Compact was created to represent the mutual interests and association between the Rock Hill and communities. This document demonstrates a commitment to that enduring relationship, emphasizing how we will work together and uphold the values of cooperation and civic responsibility.

I'm proud to say the tradition is still going strong. This morning, Winthrop's Student Affairs leadership and fraternity and sorority community, Winthrop Police Chief Charles Yearta, Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, Rock Hill Police Chief Chris Watts, Walk2Campus's Julie Smith (representing local property owners), and I signed the 2024 Town and Gown Compact.

What a great start to the week: seeing that sea of navy and white at Convocation!

A new academic year officially begins tomorrow…welcome to !

Thanks to Josh and Alex for hosting me on their podcast, Flocktalk, over at Hoppin' RH! You can listen to it over on Instagram at .

Yesterday was a great day...because it was the official start of 's 139th academic year! I enjoyed the chance for us all to reconnect and to share exciting updates about the future. Let's go, Eagles!

Today I met with Jim Funk, a business consultant with Winthrop Region SBDC
( ’s Small Business Development Center), and signed a statement that pledges the university’s support of the National Guard and Reserves. With almost half of our nation’s military strength residing in the National Guard and the Reserves, the link between those serving and their civilian employers is crucial. We see this even this week as some of our guard troops and reservists have been called up from their places of work to help assist Florida and our state prepare for Hurricane, now Tropical Storm, Debby.

Elevate aligns with best practices for serving professionals, adult learners, military and veterans. Self-directed and self-paced, it’s the kind of program I would have loved 20 years ago as a Winthrop student. Competency-based education will give our adult students the opportunity to save money and accelerate their college degree, all without sacrificing any academic rigor.

Great conversation today with Hazel and Murray Somerville! Fun facts about them:

1. Hazel is a 1969 alumna.
2. The couple has been married for more than 50 years.
3. They are recipients of the university's Medal of Honor in the Arts.
4. Thanks to their generosity over the years, music and organ enthusiasts have had many opportunities to hear and appreciate Winthrop's D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ through the Hazel and Murray Somerville Organ Performance Endowment and the Friends of D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ Performance Fund.

Lauren and I will keep Faith’s family and friends in our thoughts.

Faith Watson, a Winthrop student known by faculty for her caring and thoughtful nature, has passed away. She was pursuing a master's degree with a focus on special education. She was also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and an active member of the Tau Theta Zeta chapter of Pineville-Matthews.

Before coming to Winthrop, she had completed 30 years working in numerous departments within the New York State system, retiring in 2018 as a parole revocation specialist in the NYS Community Supervision department. She was also teaching English as a second language at South Piedmont Community College. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3W9OZOS

Lauren and I are thinking of Robin and her loved ones during this time.

Robin Cronin, a Winthrop student known for her passion for teaching children, sadly passed away on July 5. She had been working on an early childhood education degree.

Outside of Winthrop, Cronin loved all things related to Harry Potter, the Supernatural TV series and Percy Jackson. She also adored her pets: a pug, Edgar; and cat, Sadie. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3W29MUi

Lauren and I extend our deepest condolences to Andrenna Boyd's family and friends...

Andrenna "Drenna" Boyd, a Winthrop student known for her joyful demeanor, optimism and dedication, sadly passed away on June 27. Boyd had been working on a biology degree with a Spanish minor.

She also played cello with the Winthrop Symphony Orchestra and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the Gamma Beta Phi national honor society; the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society; and the Delta Alpha Phi international honor society for high-achieving students with disabilities. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bnpDT6

Yesterday was a great day for University, and if you look through this photo album, you'll see why!

It was an honor yesterday to host the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting on the campus. Jack DeRochi, dean of The Graduate School at Winthrop University, told attendees about our exciting upcoming Competency-Based Education program (more to come), and we heard a great keynote from King & Spalding LLP’s Stephanie Yarbrough.

Fun fact: All three local institution presidents sit on the RHEDC board — me, Clinton College President Lester McCorn, and York Technical College President Stacey Moore!

Thank you for having us!

Just sitting here and thinking back over the last several days, when we celebrated the Class of 2024 at three Commencement ceremonies and Senior Week...

Great and informative lunch today with Dr. Gregory Little and Wes Hayes from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education! Dr. Little was appointed as acting president and executive director of CHE just last month, while Hayes has served on the CHE board since 2018.

(Pictured, from left to right: Gary Simrill '91; Hayes; myself; and Little)

Why am I holding a Star Wars helmet while ArtsWinthrop' Myles Calvert takes a photo? (And I don't know why my expression is so serious - it was fun!) It's because University will host its fifth annual Day of Understanding on Wednesday, May 1, at 11 a.m. in Richardson Ballroom B, and this year's theme is "Stories Untold." Hope to see you all there!

I want to thank Myles Calvert, associate fine arts professor, who met with each participant and created the cyanotype portraits of each participant holding an item of significance to their culture/upbringing. Participants include Veronica Ahadzie, assistant professor of sociology; April Mustian, professor of special education and special education program director; Anna Rau, residential success coordinator; Sebastian van Delden, provost; and myself. I also want to acknowledge the continuing, positive work of the Diversity Council, a committee consisting of faculty, staff, and students.

This morning I was honored by the Board of Trustees' show of trust and faith in me to continue leading into its bright future. Great things are ahead, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Lauren, the girls, and I love being here in Rock Hill and at Winthrop...we're home!

Read more: https://bit.ly/3y0oW40

Provost Sebastian van Delden and I had the pleasure to present awards to three exceptional faculty members this month. (Actually, we surprised them in their classrooms!) We'll recognize their outstanding achievements at the May 2 and May 4 Commencement ceremonies, but let's get a head start on congratulating them!

*Distinguished Professor Award: Philip Gibson, finance professor in Winthrop University College of Business Administration

*Outstanding Junior Professor: Hope Lima, assistant human nutrition professor, Winthrop Human Nutrition Dept, Winthrop University College of Arts and Sciences

*Jane LaRoche Graduate Faculty Award: Kori Bloomquist, associate social work professor, Department of Social Work-Winthrop University

Read more about them: https://bit.ly/3xP0Zgh

This past Friday Eagles landed at Middle James Brewing at the Powerhouse. Lauren, the girls, and I were so happy to see so many of you for the Faculty/Staff Social!

The Serna family enjoyed the fireworks at the Lake this past weekend, courtesy of the annual Come See Me Festival!

We’re only two hours into our 24-hour day of giving, Bleed Garnet, Give Gold, and the support has so far been amazing! While ’s senior leadership team and I have committed up to $10,000 in matching dollars, there are several other challenges in the works. We would love your support! Go Eagles!

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/WinthropUniversity/bleed-garnet-give-gold

Career readiness, mentorship, and leadership are inextricably linked through the new : United in Excellence strategic plan. A distinctive Honors College will be a hub for existing and new initiatives to coalesce in a bright future for our students!

Taking the next steps: University will establish a leadership-focused Honors College. Launching by Fall 2025, the college will offer a truly unique experience for the most academically prepared students across South Carolina and the nation.

"By substantively partnering with the York County Regional Chamber and recruiting prominent student mentors from Fortune 500 companies and organizations across the greater Charlotte area, our Honors College students will enjoy an unparalleled, highly personalized professional development and leadership experience. There is nothing else quite like it out there.” -- Provost Sebastian van Delden

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/43UzVI8