Alumni and Friends,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and your 2026 is off to a great start. There is already so much planned for 2026, and we can’t wait to see you at events!
If your New Year’s resolution includes reading more, then join the over 300 alumni who are members of the Virtual Alumni Book Club! The first book for the 2026 reading schedule will be "The Frozen River" by Ariel Lawhon. The reading period is Jan. 2-March 6. We look forward to continuing to read with you 2026!
Calling all Eagle fans! Join us on Thursday, Feb. 26, for a pregame social before the Winthrop men's basketball team takes on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the Buc Dome! We'll gather at Stones Throw Brewing in Goose Creek from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before tip-off at 7 p.m. Food and drink available for purchase. Register here to let us know you're coming. Purchase your game ticket here to cheer on the Eagles!
Follow the Alumni Association on Facebook, Instagram (@winthropalumni) and Winthrop Connect for updates on alumni events! Download one of the free digital Winthrop backgrounds for virtual alumni events or for your personal use! Wear your garnet and gold attire to show your Eagle pride for both in-person and virtual activities! Purchase Winthrop gear in the bookstore on campus or online here!
*All event times are Eastern unless otherwise noted.
I'm Ready alumni to student mentor program
Program kicked off Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, and will run through Friday, March 27,
2026
Winthrop Connect (Virtual)
The I'm Ready program connects Winthrop alumni with current students for one-on-one mentoring focused on career readiness, networking, and personal growth. Through four structured micro-sessions across the academic year, mentors and mentees engage in meaningful conversations designed to build confidence and professional experiences. If are interested in learning more about the I'm Ready program, serving as an alumni mentor, or a student mentee contact Leah Simmonds '23, alumni career programs and Flight Ready QEP director, at simmondsl@winthrop.edu.
Official Winthrop Ring Days
Jan. 28-29│10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 17-18│10 a.m.-3 p.m.
DiGiorgio Campus Center
If you are a degree-holding alumnus, a current student who has completed 54 credit hours, or a graduate student who has completed at least 18 hours at Winthrop, you are eligible to purchase the Official Winthrop Ring and other Winthrop jewelry! Stop by the Jostens table in the DiGiorgio Campus Center to speak with representatives about your options, get sized and purchase your Official Winthrop Ring. Alumni are eligible for a discount of up to $100 off when rings are purchased at the table! The Student Alumni Council will be onsite to provide more information about the Official Winthrop Ring and Fall Ring Ceremony.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, Feb. 17 │ 7:30 p.m.
Byrnes Auditorium
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is recognized as one of the nation's leading professional orchestras and the ensemble will deliver a thrilling world-class performance that brings the full force and beauty of orchestral music to the stage. The event is coordinated by the Winthrop University Department of Music and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Read more about the event here! Tickets are $15. Children 0-18 are free with a ticketed adult. Current Winthrop students can attend for free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets here.
Charleston Pregame Social
Thursday, Feb. 26 │ 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Stones Throw Brewing
Calling all Eagle fans! Join us on Thursday, Feb. 26, for a pregame social before the Winthrop men's basketball team takes on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the Buc Dome! We'll gather at Stones Throw Brewing in Goose Creek from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before tip-off at 7 p.m. Food and drink available for purchase. Register here to let us know you're coming. Purchase your game ticket here to cheer on the Eagles!
Grad Finale
March 3│10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Winthrop Bookstore Commons
Graduating in May? Grad Finale is your one-stop-shop for all things Commencement! Stop by the Bookstore Commons located inside the bookstore in the DiGiorgio Campus Center for all your Commencement needs. The event is hosted by the Student Alumni Council and the Alumni Association, and features campus partners and vendors so graduates can check their graduation status, learn about alumni benefits, purchase class rings, try on regalia, and more!
50th Anniversary Winthrop University Model United Nations Conference and Celebration
Wednesday, March 25-Friday, March 27
The 50th Anniversary Winthrop University Model United Nations (WUMUN) Conference and Celebration will be held on Winthrop's campus, March 25-27. A special 50th anniversary reception will be held on Thursday, March 26 from 7-10 p.m. in the Evans Room, located on the 3rd floor of the DiGiorgio Campus Center.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Model UN, a scholarship fund in honor of the 24-year Model UN Program Director, Dr. Chris Van Aller, is being established. If you would like to support this effort, you can make your gift safely and securely online in honor of Dr. Van Aller here.
Registration will open in early 2026. For questions, contact Dr. Jennifer Disney via e-mail at disneyj@winthrop.edu.
Spring 2026 Official Ring Ceremony
April 8 │6-7:30 p.m.
Richardson Ballroom, located in the DiGiorgio Campus Center
The Alumni Association and Student Alumni Council present the Official Ring Ceremony. Rings will be presented to students who purchased their Official Winthrop Ring in the spring semester. Recipients are encouraged to invite family and friends to help celebrate this milestone. Purchase your official Winthrop ring as a lifelong reminder of your Winthrop experience by shopping the Jostens website, calling 800/854-7464, or attending Ring Days on campus.
50th Anniversary of Greek Life
April 17-18
Calling all Greek alumni! Get ready to show off your letters during a weekend full of chapter gatherings, events for alumni and students and more. Registration will open soon!
Winthrop Ever Stand,
Lori Tuttle
Executive Director of Alumni Relations
