The Winthrop University Board of Trustees gathered last week for its annual retreat,
and they were joined by the Cabinet and other invited guests. The retreat allowed
the board to hear and discuss some key decision points for the coming years, grounded
in a fulsome review of where we are in relation to the “Campus Roadmap,” the presentation
combining elements of the campus master plan from 2022 based on work with Quackenbush Architects + Planners and Ayers Saint Gross,
the academic master plan, and our strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence.
Of course, our upcoming residence hall project was discussed, as well as a second
hall on the same footprint of where the former high-rise dorms were, and a renovation
of Thomson’s dining facility. One of the items we revisited from the 2022 recommendations
was third party development of some underutilized land on the main campus, as well
as the possibility of developing a master plan for the Winthrop Athletics, Recreation
and Research Area (“the farm”). These items would involve work with a consultant and
the Winthrop University Real Estate Foundation, the bylaws for which were recently
amended and approved by the board to focus more on the monetization of our existing
properties. The board also heard about a 10-year plan to demolish Dacus Library by
2036, which would include investing select funds now to extend building life until
demolition, and options for replacing Dacus with a library e-learning commons in a
new or renovated existing facility.
VP Kevin Butler and AVP James Grigg did a great job walking trustees through all of these options and more for the future of our campus.
Athletics was another retreat topic, particularly the strategic plan for that area of the university. AD Chuck Rey talked about a plan encompassing academic excellence and innovation, institutional visibility and brand enhancement, the athletics portfolio, external partnerships and stakeholder engagement, and athletics sustainability. The board heard about operationalizing a tiered structure for NCAA sports in which higher levels are allocated greater resources and have the most demanding competitive expectations. Trustees also learned of the significant benefits of our club sports model, the financial model to grow it, and the status of the director hire.
Provost Sebastian van Delden and VP Amanda James presented on “Beyond Our Bricks,” which detailed our efforts to strategically position Winthrop in the region, including the strides we are making in dual enrollment, our partnerships with CPCC and the Catawba Indian Nation, experiential learning, and other initiatives in the greater Charlotte area. Trustees also heard about the uncoming launch of our brand, saw some of the collateral in development, and got a preview of what a new Big Stuff mascot might look like.
The trustees also heard from me on the strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence, and how we are on pace just past the halfway point in this initial three-year portion of the plan.
In board action at the retreat, the trustees, upon my recommendation, established the following academic programs and concentrations:
Renaming Degree Programs
• B.A. in Art History to B.A. in Art History and Museum Professions
• B.A. in Integrated Marketing to B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising
• B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies to B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences*
New concentrations
• B.P.S. in Professional Studies, new concentration in Interdisciplinary Studies*
• B.A. in Music, new concentrations in Choral Music Education and Instrumental Music Education*
• M.B.A., new concentration in Financial Technology
• B.S. in Business Administration, new concentrations in Accounting and Financial Management, General Business, and Business Analytics
• B.S. in Exercise Science, new concentrations in Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, and Pre-Allied Health
*Pending final Faculty Conference approval which followed on February 27, 2026
They also approved the contract for the Alumni Drive oil tank demolition. Buckeye Elm Contracting was selected through the Office of State Engineers bidding process.
You can read more about last week’s board action in the resolutions that have been posted online. Thank you for your interest in the activities of the
Winthrop University Board of Trustees.
Sincerely,
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
