ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Winthrop University’s incoming freshmen and transfer students will be welcomed into the Winthrop community of learners through a virtual Convocation ceremony on Aug. 24. The students will hear greetings and remarks from various campus and community leaders.
Convocation, normally an in-person, on-campus gathering, is being held virtually due to COVID-19 and Winthrop's decision to begin the fall semester on Aug. 24 with two weeks of remote learning before switching to in-person classes beginning Sept. 8.
This year's Convocation ceremony will officially usher in Winthrop's 135th year as a higher education institution.
“Even though this academic year is beginning differently compared to past years, we felt it was important to provide the entering Class of 2020 with this treasured Winthrop tradition,” said Interim President George Hynd. “While Convocation might take on a different look and format this year since we can’t gather in-person, it’s still a meaningful rite of passage to be officially welcomed into the Winthrop community of learners. We wanted to ensure that this class experienced Convocation, especially since many of these students have missed out on other important events due to the pandemic.”
The ceremony, which will be pre-recorded, will feature remarks by Hynd; Glenn McCall, chair of the Board of Trustees; Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys; Brandon Jackson, chair of the Council of Student Leaders; Adolphus Belk Jr., chair of Faculty Conference; and Jayme Charles, chair of Staff Conference. The recording and an event program will be posted on Winthrop’s website on Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
For more information about Convocation, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
