Lewis Selected As VP For University Development and Alumni

March 6, 2008

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Brien Lewis, who has served as Winthrop University’s acting vice president for university development and alumni relations for the past eight months, will now assume that position on a permanent basis.

Winthrop University President Anthony DiGiorgio announced the appointment, which is effective immediately, during the March 5 meeting of the Winthrop University Foundation Board.

“This truly is an exciting and promising time for Winthrop University, and I am honored and privileged to work with such a dedicated team of enthusiastic professionals,” said Lewis.

Lewis’ duties include overseeing the Winthrop University Foundation and offices of Alumni Relations and Development, as well as the work of the Real Estate Foundation. These offices work with the university’s alumni and supporters to fulfill the university’s Vision of Distinction and strategic plans.

DiGiorgio praised Lewis for his leadership, including overseeing the finalization of recent gifts to the university from alumni. In the last few weeks, the university announced a $1.25 million gift from Vivian and Larry Carroll of Charlotte, N.C., for a business and trading center within the College of Business Administration and a $125,000 gift from Sandra and J. Spratt White of Fort Mill, S.C., to provide scholarships for English majors and to help pay for students and faculty members to travel to conferences, lectures and seminars.

“As we lay the groundwork for Winthrop’s next horizons in private fundraising, Brien Lewis’ range of experience within the university will help to carry the important message to our alumni and supporters of how well Winthrop prepares our students to succeed in a global environment,” said DiGiorgio.

Lewis served as the first dean of the University College from 2003-2007. Prior to that, he served as executive assistant to the president and secretary to the Board of Trustees for four years, beginning in 1999. He served as chair of the President’s Task Force on the Nature and Character of the University to help make long-range plans for Winthrop. In addition to his administrative roles, Lewis has taught employment law in the College of Business Administration and introduction to law in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina as a Morehead Scholar, as well as a law degree from the University of Toronto.