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Dr. Anthony Joseph
DiGiorgio, President
Winthrop University
 Now
beginning his 19th year as president of Winthrop
University, Dr. Anthony J. DiGiorgio believes that attaining
excellence requires three things:
caring more than
some might think is wise,
risking more than
some might think is safe, and
dreaming more than
some might think is practical.
It
is that approach that has resulted in Dr. DiGiorgio now being
the longest-serving president of any public university in South
Carolina – and Winthrop University having grown from a regional
college with a venerable history to a national-caliber
comprehensive university that helps set the pace for quality
higher education in the thriving Charlotte-Metrolina region.
DiGiorgio began his presidency by articulating a "Vision of
Distinction" for Winthrop, then leading the university community
in designing a series of annual work plans that advance the
goals encompassed by the vision. While each year's work plan is
adjusted as market imperatives shift, a core of agreed-upon
values remains at the center of the endeavor. Each new year's
work plan builds on the foundation of the previous year's
achievements.
DiGiorgio likens it to a
family's achievements, with each new generation building on the
foundation of its elders
–
an observation drawn from his own
youth.
 The
son of an immigrant bricklayer, Anthony Joseph DiGiorgio was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in
1940. Like many immigrants to this country, the
DiGiorgio family found that hard work and
persistence were the keys to survival in America
– key elements that characterize the
DiGiorgio leadership style today.
After
receiving his undergraduate degree at Gannon
College, Dr. DiGiorgio earned his master’s
and doctoral degrees from Purdue University.
After achieving his Ph.D., Dr. DiGiorgio
continued his education with extensive
postdoctoral training in psychology and
educational development. In 1987, he attended the
Institute for Educational Management at Harvard
University.
Dr.
DiGiorgio’s career in education began in
1963 when he taught English at Belleville Senior
High School in New Jersey. Three years later, he
became an instructor and Assistant to the Dean of
Humanities, Social Science and Education at
Purdue University.
In
1970, he began the first of 19 years of service
at The College of New Jersey, a former state
teachers’ college that evolved to a
nationally recognized comprehensive college. He
served The College of New Jersey in a number of
positions, including Vice President for Academic
Affairs. Also while there, he met his wife, Gale,
who was then Dean of Student Life at a nearby
institution. The DiGiorgio family
includes two daughters, the elder of whom passed away in 2007,
and three grandchildren.
 In
January 1989, Dr. DiGiorgio was appointed by the Winthrop
College Board of Trustees to become Winthrop’s ninth president.
In that role, he led the college’s conversion to Winthrop
University, a comprehensive teaching institution now offering
89
undergraduate and 41 graduate degree programs and options, and
initiated the University’s successful drive to achieve 100
percent accreditation in all Winthrop programs for which
national accreditation is offered.
Today, Winthrop University is regularly rated among the top
public institutions of its kind in the South, winning accolades
for academic excellence, character development, commitment to
diversity, student programming, sound fiscal management and
environmental achievements. In 2004, it was
the only public university in South Carolina to be named one of
Consumers Digest's national “Best Values” in higher education.
In 2005, Dr. DiGiorgio began his second term on the board of
directors of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, and
he also serves as a member of the NCAA College Basketball
Partnership, a group of prominent educators, coaches, NCAA and
national media figures charged with addressing key issues
ranging from academic-athletic balance to fan behavior and
sportsmanship.
August 2007
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Vision of Distinction
Opening Address 2007
Education By Design
Third Party Verifications of Winthrop
Excellence
Winthrop University Board of Visitors
President DiGiorgio's Biography
What Does a University President Do?
Office Hours for Students
Send Your Ideas to President
DiGiorgio
Executive Officers
Winthrop's Past Presidents |
