Dear Colleagues: On my first day in the office as your interim president, I wanted to connect with you and share that my wife, Alison, and I are delighted to be here—in this dynamic city, on this beautiful campus, and within a student-centered community that reflects all that we value in higher education. We look forward to being visibly engaged on campus, calling the university home, meeting all of you, and introducing our sweet golden retriever, Curry, to the campus community. We have much to learn about Winthrop and many constituents to get to know over the next few months. I am energized by the prospect of being meaningfully connected with students and alumni, reaching out to supporters, and learning more about your aspirations and challenges as faculty and staff. I am committed to continuing the momentum and the drumbeat of progress to which you have contributed in recent years. I look to your advice and wise counsel as I learn more about the successes of the Winthrop Plan and how it can become institutionalized moving forward. I hope not to replace, but rather to help shape, the vision of Winthrop’s future as we work together these next few years. Many topics are top of mind for those who perform the work of this university – enrollment, financial stability, academic and campus master planning, reaccreditation by SACSCOC, high-impact collaborations with local businesses, the Rock Hill community, and beyond, to name a few. Please be assured as we move forward together that I pledge authenticity and transparency in my work with the board, the Winthrop community, and other constituents as we build on Winthrop’s strong foundation. In the coming months I will continue to listen and discover all that I can about Winthrop—from you and others who can provide valuable institutional insight. I look to you for your honest opinions, best ideas and unwavering commitment to providing the exemplary student experience for which Winthrop is known, and in advance of that, I say thank you! Again, Alison and I are thrilled to be joining the Winthrop family. See you around campus soon. With warm regards, George W. Hynd |