ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University announces a new partnership with Family Trust Federal Credit Union in support of the J. Robert Bazemore Design Center, located at The Thread in the heart of Rock Hill’s Knowledge Park. This collaboration celebrates both Family Trust’s deep roots in the community and its ongoing commitment to education and innovation.
Family Trust’s gift will fund space in the university’s new 5,000-square-foot interior design center, which honors the legacy of Winthrop alumnus and interior design visionary J. Robert “Bob” Bazemore ’85. The space, which opens in August, will offer students a future-forward learning environment equipped with modern classrooms, advanced technology, and direct exposure to real-world design concepts.
“Family Trust has long been an integral part of Rock Hill’s story,” said Winthrop President Edward Serna ’02. “Its investment in this project honors that legacy while paving the way for the next generation of interior designers. We are grateful for the support of this transformative educational space.”
Founded in 1957 as Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Federal Credit Union, Family Trust was created to help textile workers manage debt and save for life’s important milestones. The organization rebranded in 1988 to serve the broader York County community, maintaining its mission of empowering individuals through financial services. Supporting the J. Robert Bazemore Design Center reflects Family Trust’s commitment to education and its proud history within the textile industry—a legacy echoed in the very walls of The Thread.
“We’re honored to contribute to a space that reflects our origins and supports the bright futures of Winthrop students,” said Family Trust CEO Ryan Harvey. “This partnership represents not only our shared past with the community, but our belief in its continued growth and success.”
Located above the Baxter Mill Archive—home to one of the world’s largest textile collections—the Bazemore Design Center is uniquely positioned to provide students with immersive educational experiences and internship opportunities across design disciplines.
The center will be formally dedicated with a ceremony planned in partnership with the York County Regional Chamber at 11 a.m. on Aug. 20, marking a major milestone in Winthrop’s commitment to excellence in design education, and underscoring the power of university-community partnerships to create meaningful impact.
About Winthrop University
Founded in 1886, Winthrop is a comprehensive public university that challenges undergraduate and graduate students of talent, ambition, and intellectual curiosity, equipping them to embrace and lead a world in transition. Providing residential and online learning, the university grants 70 undergraduate and graduate degrees across arts & sciences; business & technology; education, sport & human sciences; visual & performing arts, and the newly added Honors College. Winthrop is a transformational institution serving approximately 5,000 students in the heart of the Carolinas. To learn more, go to www.winthrop.edu or follow Winthrop on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Family Trust Federal Credit Union
Family Trust Federal Credit Union has been in business since 1957. With over 55,000 members and eight branches, our mission is to help people achieve all their financial goals. Family Trust has received the top (five-star) rating for financial strength and stability from Bauer Financial for 28 consecutive quarters. Family Trust offers personal checking, savings, investments, loans, credit cards, and mortgages. For more information, visit www.familytrust.org or follow Family Trust Federal Credit Union on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
or more information, contact Ashley Blanchard, Winthrop’s associate vice president for university advancement, at blancharda@winthrop.edu
