Holcombe Gift to Support Alumni Center at Winthrop University

Quick Facts

Until such time as the new Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center is built, Winthrop University will dedicate its current Office of Alumni Relations as “The Milton W. and Betty Morgan Holcombe Alumni Center.”

Mrs. Holcombe noted that she and her husband support their alma maters because they “have played a significant role in our lives.”

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Betty and Milton Holcombe with President Anthony DiGiorgio, left, and
Gale Digiorgio, right

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Betty J. Morgan Holcombe ’56 and her husband, Milton W. Holcombe, have made a leadership gift of $2 million to support the Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center and its programming in a commitment to Distinction: The Campaign for Winthrop.

Until such time as the new Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center is built, Winthrop University will dedicate its current Office of Alumni Relations as “The Milton W. and Betty Morgan Holcombe Alumni Center.” The announcement was made at the Alumni Reunion Celebration, and again at Homecoming on Saturday Nov. 12.

Mrs. Holcombe received her B.A. in English at Winthrop and her M.A. in liberal arts at Southern Methodist University. During her time at Winthrop, she earned academic distinction and was placed on the Dean’s List during her junior and senior years. She was a James F. Byrnes Scholar, a scholarship presented to students in excellent academic standing who had lost one or both parents.

Reflecting on her time as a student at Winthrop, Mrs. Holcombe commented, “I have always enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty of this campus, and especially enjoyed spending time in the library. It was during my time at Winthrop that I was exposed to opera, and learned to truly love and appreciate the arts.”

Following her graduation, Mrs. Holcombe taught for several years at Campbell High School in Smyrna, Ga., and for one year at Tyrone Junior High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., prior to relocating to Texas.

Mrs. Holcombe has been active in alumni activities throughout the years, and attends her class reunion regularly. The dedication of the Morgan–Holcombe Alumni Center will commemorate her 55th reunion.

In observance of her 50th reunion, Mrs. Holcombe established the Elizabeth Ernestine Carter Steedly Endowed Scholarship, which benefits education majors from Bamberg, S.C., in honor of her lifelong friend and former Winthrop roommate. The Holcombes have also funded two additional endowed scholarships at Winthrop: the Betty Morgan Holcombe Endowed Scholarship for Pickens County, S.C., liberal arts majors and the Barbara Morgan Hay Endowed Scholarship for education majors, established in honor of Betty Holcombe’s sister, who was also a Winthrop alumna graduating with the Class of 1967.

Avid supporters of public higher education in South Carolina, the Holcombes have served in leadership capacities at both Winthrop and Clemson University, Milton Holcombe’s alma mater.

Mrs. Holcombe noted that she and her husband support their alma maters because they “have played a significant role in our lives.” She added that the couple enjoys returning to their universities to take part in activities – and proof of the importance of forming a lifelong bond with one’s alma mater.

“The bonds that alumni form with their institution and with each other through mutual experiences enrich each of our journeys as we travel our life’s path,” Mrs. Holcombe said. “We are so pleased to be able to assist Winthrop’s Alumni office in these important initiatives.”

In addition to being generous supporters of their alma maters, the Holcombes have a keen interest in historic preservation, especially in Pickens County S.C., where they both grew up. Through their family foundation, the Holcombes purchased the home of her great uncle and gifted it to create the Central History Museum. Mrs. Holcombe is longtime member and current Chaplain of the James Billingsley Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution in Richardson, Texas; past president and current member of the auxiliary of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers; a charter member of the Canyon Creek Garden Club; and long-time member of the Richardson Women’s Club which supports college scholarships.

The Holcombes live in Dallas, Texas, and have twin daughters: Karen H. Leftwich of Columbia Falls, Mont., and her husband, Frank; and Kathryn H. Wheeler and her husband, Scott of Addison, Texas. Betty and Milton Holcombe also have two granddaughters, Whitney and Kelley Wheeler of Addison, Texas.

For more information, contact Amanda J. Stewart, director of communications and donor relations, at stewartaj@winthrop.edu and 803/323-4493.

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