ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University alumnus and Rock Hill attorney Joel Hamilton ’06 has assumed the role of chairman of Winthrop’s Board of Trustees, effective immediately, due to the sudden July 11 passing of previous chairman Glenn McCall.
Hamilton had been elected board vice-chair at the trustees’ June meeting but will now move into the chair role according to the board’s Bylaws.
Article VI, Section C of the board’s Bylaws provides that “In the case of the permanent absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson will serve as Chairperson for the remainder of the term, until the next regular biennial election.... A new Vice-chairperson shall be elected for the remaining unexpired term.”
While Hamilton said that he cannot imagine worse circumstances for assuming the role of chair, he does so humbly and is prepared to serve.
“Although there is no replacing a leader as naturally gifted as Glenn McCall, I feel very blessed to have had the unique opportunity to learn from and observe Glenn over the many years I knew him,” Hamilton said. “As an institution, Winthrop has enjoyed the benefits of his steadfast wisdom and leadership. If we all choose to follow his example of passion for Winthrop and grace for one another, I am confident we will continue the positive momentum across our university.”
Hamilton shared that he will lean heavily on all of those in Winthrop and board leadership, including immediate past vice-chair Kathy Hudson Bigham ’73, past and new board committee chairs, and President Edward Serna ’02 and his exceptional team.
Serna said that he appreciates Hamilton’s willingness to step into such a large role under difficult circumstances. “Glenn’s leadership was unmatched, but Joel is poised and capable to make a real impact in ways he may not have thought likely or possible a short time ago. Together, the board and Winthrop will work tirelessly to honor Glenn by doing as he would have wanted -- continuing to press forward, guided by our mission, vision and values, not missing a beat.”
One of the board’s first orders of business will be to reconstitute the nominating committee for the task of choosing a nominee for vice-chair in anticipation of filling that role at the next full meeting of the board, which is scheduled for Oct. 29-30.
About Hamilton
Hamilton joined the board in February 2023 as the designee for South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver.
He formerly served as a York County Councilman representing District 7. In that role, he was the chair of the county’s Economic Development Committee and worked to recruit and encourage new economic opportunities in the area. He also recently completed a term as chair of the Historic Rock Hill Foundation, and has served as chair of the York County Republican Party. He also has formerly served on the boards of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Fort Mill Economic Partners and Christmasville in Rock Hill. He currently serves on the boards of the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation, York County Regional Chamber and the Gravity Center Foundation.
Hamilton is co-founder of the Schiller and Hamilton law firm and manages the operations of the statewide firm’s office in Rock Hill. He has more than a decade of experience representing injured parties, involving vehicle accidents, civil rights violations, medical malpractice and other situations.
At Winthrop, Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business/economics. While a student, he served as president of the Pre-Law Society and the College Republicans. After graduating from Winthrop, Hamilton attended Case Western Reserve School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2009.
He is married to Marina Bender Hamilton ’05, who also holds a Winthrop degree in political science, and the couple has two daughters.
For more information, please contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
