Welcome to the fall semester!
We made it to the first week of fall classes! It has been great seeing so many of you at our opening events. I’ve enjoyed chatting with new and long-time employees, joined many of you, trustees and students to help move in our newest Eagles, and welcomed our new Eagles at yesterday’s Convocation. Thank you for participating in these opening events! They were a fitting start to what we know will be a special fall semester. Now, let me fill you in on the following:
Budget
Winthrop remains grateful to the South Carolina General Assembly and Governor McMaster
along with a number of individuals who are working to enhance our reputation in Columbia.
Winthrop received the following in the 2026-27 S.C. State budget:
$40,688,705 in base funding
$1,165,294 in tuition mitigation (recurring)
$6.5M in non-recurring funds, broken down as follows:
-$1M for deferred maintenance/critical capital projects
-$3M for the renovation of Tillman Hall into a student services hub
-$2.5M for Winthrop Lake dam renovation
$48,353,999 TOTAL
These investments provide the resources that help ensure sustained progress continues to be delivered on campus as our student enrollment grows and our facilities undergo upgrades. We remain appreciative of our local legislative delegation who are engaged and helpful in showcasing the strengths of our university and community to the General Assembly. Our supporters engage in positive dialogue regarding the merits of Winthrop and the role we play in job creation and sustained economic viability for this area and beyond, and we remain grateful for their continued support.
Finally, the General Appropriations Bill also includes a 2% salary increase for state employees, which will be reflected in Sept. 1 paychecks. Employees will be able to see their pay stubs, which will include the 2% increase, on Wingspan this afternoon. The retroactive pay increase from July 1, July 16, Aug. 1 and Aug. 16 paychecks will be included in the Sept. 16 paycheck.
Winthrop: United in Excellence
As promised, I wanted to share our final report on our strategic plan’s phase 2 initiatives.
You can check out this release or view the attached summary of how we successfully implemented our initiatives. Thanks to everyone who helped
make phase 2 a success. The vice presidents and I have identified initiatives that
will make up phase 3 of the strategic plan. I’ll share more about the last year of
the first sprint in an upcoming message to campus.
Q&As
You’ll recall that last month we started a series of Q&As to provide more insight
on hot topics. Last month was the Business Center, and next up is enrollment (spoiler
alert: we will be up again this fall!). Amanda James, vice president for enrollment
management and marketing, has answered some of the common questions she receives regarding
enrollment, retention and recruitment efforts. Read the Q&As here. Next month will feature Q&As with Erica Panton who leads our popular (and growing!)
dual enrollment program.
9/11 Day of Remembrance
On Friday, Sept. 11, there will be remembrance events occurring on campus to commemorate
the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The first gathering will take place at the Tillman fountain
plaza beginning at 8:30 a.m. Presentation of colors, patriotic music, some brief remarks,
and a moment of silence at approximately 8:46 a.m., the exact time a plane struck
the World Trade Center North Tower, are among the plans. At 9 a.m., inside the Winthrop
Coliseum, first responders will lead a silent Memorial Stair Climb to pay tribute
to the brave first responders who climbed the many stairs of the World Trade Center
towers. Everyone is invited to climb as many stairs as you are able.
Fall Sports and Homecoming Tailgate
I’m encouraging Winthrop’s leadership and you to support our fall sports teams – soccer, volleyball, basketball – at some games
this season. Even more of an incentive to attend is that Winthrop Athletics offers
free admission to employees and their immediate family members to all regular season
home events! Check out the teams’ schedules, and best of luck to our student-athletes on successful seasons. Also, be sure to
mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 14, for two special Homecoming games. At noon,
the women’s basketball team will play Clinton College, and the men’s basketball team
will follow at 2:30 p.m. with a game against Jackson State. If you plan to tailgate
before these games using a tent, reserved tailgating spots go on sale Sept. 10.
Garnet and Gold Fridays
I hope you’ll continue to join me on Fridays by wearing casual Garnet and Gold! Sport
that Winthrop sweatshirt/T-shirt/hoodie to spread some Eagle spirit! If you need some
new Winthrop apparel, check out the bookstore and use your employee discount in the store to score some new swag, or you may purchase
items online here and here.
As you can see, we’re off to a busy start to this academic year. Let’s work together to have a fantastic semester!
Always an Eagle,
Edward
Edward Serna
President
