Below is the schedule of events for Virtual Homecoming Week 2020, Nov. 9-14!
Please check back often for updates and changes. All events are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted. Use the following hashtags for your social media posts:
#WinthropHomecoming
#WinthropEverStand
#GarnetandGold
#WinthropEagles
All week, Social Media
Big Stuff is hiding around campus. See if you can guess where he is! Photos of Big Stuff will be posted each day to the Alumni Association's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Can you guess where he's hiding?
All week, Instagram @winthropalumni
In celebration of Virtual Homecoming, a few alumni are taking over the Alumni Association’s Instagram account! Catch up with these alumni as they share a glimpse into their lives, their work and their socially distanced fun. Takeover guests include:
Mat Fretschel ’03, who majored in art with a concentration in photography. He now resides in Glendale, California, and is a photographer for Walt Disney Animation Studio. Fretschel will kick off Virtual Homecoming week with a virtual conversation with Jeff Bellantoni, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Byron Putman ’94, who studied mass communication and minored in speech. He resides in Rock Hill and is a producer for Carolina Panthers Radio Network. Putman is also the current president of the Winthrop University Alumni Executive Board.
Zainab Ghadiyali ’09, who majored in chemistry and minored in both biology and human nutrition. She currently resides in San Francisco, California, and works as a product lead for Airbnb. In 2017, she received the Winthrop Alumni Association's Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
All week, Social Media
Post an appropriate photo or video and tag the Alumni Association Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram and use your region's hashtag:
#AtlantaEagles
#CharlestonEagles
#CharlotteEagles
#ColumbiaEagles
#DCMETROEagles
#Kershaw Eagles
#MyrtleBeachEagles
#OrlandoEagles
#RockHillEagles
#TriangleEagles
#UpstateEagles
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Zoom
This Virtual Homecoming, help us bridge the communication gap between alumni and current
students through networking and mentoring! Join the Center for Career Development & Internships and the Alumni Association for our Speed Networking event on Monday, Nov. 9 at 11
a.m. Current students and alumni will have the opportunity to discuss experiences,
challenges and triumphs in life and career post-graduation. This event will be hosted
using Zoom. Meeting information will be sent to registrants by Friday, Nov. 6. Students
and alumni, RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 5 via the registration form. Contact careerdev@winthrop.edu for more information.
4 p.m., via the Alumni Association social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Do you have Winthrop Spirit? Learn all about the Winthrop Spirit Check so you can join us as we show our Eagle Pride all week long.
5:30 p.m., Instagram Live @wu_rec
Join Winthrop Recreational Services and student instructors from their homes as we get ready to sweat Garnet and Gold!
Show us your fitness photos with #2020HomecomingFitFam.
9 a.m., via Alumni Association Facebook
Join Winthrop's Dining Servicesfor a special Virtual Homecoming cooking segment. Mai Rutledge Johnson, Winthrop Class of 1898 and wife of Winthrop founder D.B. Johnson, often made an applesauce spice cake when entertaining guests. Gina Price White '83, director of the Louise Pettus Archives & Special Collections, shares some of the historical significance of the recipe. Emily Williams, baker with Dining Services, will lead the cooking session and will be assisted by Sydney Helms, a freshman biology major from Columbia.
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Little Chapel
Winthrop has over 200 faculty and staff who are Winthrop alumni and we are going to
celebrate them! This event is in lieu of the annual Faculty and Staff Alumni Luncheon.
Alumni faculty and staff, come by the Little Chapel for some cotton candy and socially-distanced mingling with fellow alumni who work
at Winthrop. Wear your “Proud to Work for My Alma Mater” T-shirt! If you don’t have
a T-shirt you can pick one up at the event or e-mail the Alumni Association at alumni@winthrop.edu and get yours before the event.
4 p.m., via Zoom
Join the Women's Basketball Coach Semeka Randall-Lay to learn more about the Winthrop
women's basketball program. RSVP here to reserve your spot. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing
information about joining the meeting.
5:30 p.m., via Instagram Live @wu_rec
Join Winthrop Recreational Services and student instructors from their homes as we
get ready to sweat Garnet and Gold! Show us your fitness photos with #2020HomecomingFitFam.
8 p.m., via Zoom
Mark your calendars for a virtual cocktail social with the Tipsy Doc, Akilah Murray '15! The Tipsy Doc will walk us through the steps to make a Winthrop-inspired
Homecoming punch. The list of ingredients for the punch will be e-mailed to registrants. Space is limited. Click here to reserve your spot by Nov. 9.
9 a.m., via Alumni Association Facebook Live
Enjoy a morning break by joining the Alumni Association and Jostens for a virtual showcase to view Winthrop’s jewelry. Winthrop’s exclusive jewelry collection
allows alumni to show pride in your alma mater while continuing the tradition of excellence
you began as a student!
12 p.m., via Alumni Association Facebook Live
During the national struggle for women’s suffrage, there were women who battled against other injustices against their sex, in addition to exclusion from voting. One such group included women faculty members at Winthrop. In 1915, 44 women department heads and professors petitioned the Winthrop Board of Trustees for salary adjustments to match their pay to their male counterparts. Four years later, they were still waiting for an answer. In a letter to Winthrop president D. B. Johnson dated July 24, 1919, Latin Professor Nettie Wysor wrote:“A few selfish politicians may retard the march of justice, but they can’t stop it.”
Join the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections for a virtual exhibit telling the story of these women. The panel discussion will be led by Gina Price White ’83, director of archives and special collections. White will be joined by Eddie Lee, professor of history and director of graduate studies in history, to explore this important part of Winthrop’s history. Archives created this exhibit in celebration of the 19th Amendment centennial. View the exhibit.
5:30 p.m., via Instagram Live @wu_rec
Join Winthrop Recreational Services and student instructors from their homes as we get ready to sweat Garnet and Gold! Show us your fitness photos with #2020HomecomingFitFam.
8 p.m., via Zoom
It's game time! Try your luck at trivia. As you play, sip on the Winthrop Homecoming punch created by The Tipsy Doc, Akilah Murray ’15 while playing Winthrop trivia! Be sure to have two devices handy to play the game.
The link to join and more details will be e-mailed to registered alumni, along with
a link to the Winthrop Homecoming Punch. Don't forget to use one of the free digital Winthrop backgroundsand to wear your Homecoming T-shirt or garnet and gold to show your Eagle pride! Space
is limited. Click here to reserve your spot by Nov. 10.
10 a.m., via Zoom. Registration link to come.
Grab a cup of coffee during a morning break and join the men’s golf coach, Kevin Pendley
'98, for a virtual chat to hear the latest about Winthrop’s men’s golf team. RSVP here to reserve your spot. Your e-mail confirmation will contain information about joining
the Zoom.
10 a.m., via Instagram Live @wu_rec
Join Winthrop Recreational Services and student instructors from their homes as we get ready to sweat Garnet and Gold! Show us your fitness photos with #2020HomecomingFitFam.
12 p.m., Alumni Association Facebook Live
This Antiques Roadshow-style presentation of a small portion of the Pettus Archives Winthrop Memorabilia Collection will feature interesting and unique items, including fascinating factual information
and intriguing back stories for the mementos and ephemera from Winthrop’s 135-year
history.
12 p.m., Alumni Association Facebook Live
Mark your calendars for a virtual lunchtime chat with the Office of Admissions. Join the virtual discussion with Megan Rolf, director of recruitment, and admissions counselors Ty Robbins ‘17, Kim Foster ’16 and Elizabeth Brown ’19 on Winthrop’s recruitment efforts and how alumni can help.
1 p.m., via Zoom
Join the virtual seminar and open discussion on unique and simple ways to support
Winthrop with RJ Gimbl, associate vice president for advancement, and Casey Ferri ’09, Alumni Executive Board treasurer and estate planning attorney. They will share real-life
scenarios to help guide you in planning a giving strategy that benefits your alma
mater. RSVP to RJ Gimbl by Thursday, Nov. 12 at gimblr@winthrop.edu.
2 p.m., via Instagram Live @wu_rec
Join Winthrop Recreational Services and student instructors from their homes as we get ready to sweat Garnet and Gold! Show us your fitness photos with #2020HomecomingFitFam.
5-6 p.m., via Zoom
We miss you! We look forward to virtually visiting with our wonderful alumni during
Virtual Homecoming. BYOB and we will toast to your accomplishments! RSVP to Alexis
Roy at roya@winthrop.edu to receive the Zoom link. Follow Winthrop Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology on Facebook for more information.
9:30 a.m., via Zoom
Grab a cup of coffee and join the men's basketball coach, Pat Kelsey, for a virtual
chat to hear the latest about the Winthrop men's basketball team. RSVP here to reserve your spot. Your e-mail confirmation will contain information about joining
the Zoom.
12 p.m., via Alumni Association Facebook
Join Winthrop’s Dining Services for a special Virtual Homecoming cooking segment. This easy recipe is offered in Thomson
Cafeteria and something everyone can make! Use any ingredients you have on hand and
make the recipe your own. The cooking segment is led by Jackson Keith, executive chef
with Dining Services, and is assisted by Ross Friend, a freshman computer science
major from Fort Mill.
2 p.m., via YouTube
Virtually tour around Winthrop University's campus with the Alumni Association and
the Office of Admissions' dynamic Ambassadors.
7:30 p.m., via the Winthrop University Black Alumni Council Facebook Page
The Winthrop Black Alumni Council panel discussion will be led by DeAlva Wilson ’92 ’94 and she will be joined by Adolphus Belk, professor of political science and African American studies, Scott Huffmon, Director, Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research (CPOPR); Professor of Political Science and special appearance by Congressman James E. Clyburn.