The good work continues.
I hope you’re enjoying the summer schedule and the option to dress casually (love
seeing that garnet and gold every day!). While we may be working modified hours and
sporting a more relaxed look, please know that we’re working hard to get ready for
new and returning students to join us this August. As is typical during this time
of year, the focus is on tackling facilities projects, prepping for Orientation, gearing
up for various summer camps, and, of course, supporting the teaching, learning and
research that continue over the summer. Let me take just a few moments to share with
you some important updates:
Facilities
In addition to the standard refreshing of the residence halls during the summer, Lee
Wicker rooms will receive new furniture beginning Tuesday. The Eagle Eatery in Thomson
and Einstein’s Bagels in Markley’s also will undergo Chartwells rebranding, the Coliseum’s
Cherry Road electronic message board will be replaced and the campus-wide landscaping
efforts will continue, to name a few. We appreciate our SSC partners in this important
work. Watch for an Investing in Winthrop update to detail other work on big projects
like the new residence hall.
Office Moves
A few offices are moving from their temporary spaces back to their permanent homes
now that Joynes’ renovation is wrapping up. The Admissions team is moving back to
the first and second floors of Joynes and the Center for Student Wellness staff are
back on the third floor of Joynes. I extend my thanks to these employees for their
patience and flexibility as Joynes was offline for a while. Note that campus tours
will continue to be run out of DiGs/Dina’s Place until June 1.
Orientation Sessions
A big thanks goes out to our Student Affairs and Admissions teams and others across
campus who are getting ready to welcome our newest class of Eagles and prepare them
for their Winthrop experience this fall! We cannot wait to welcome every student who
has signed up for Orientation, and I know you will make them feel at home and part
of the family while they are here. Sessions will be held June 9-10, June 15-16, June
18-19, June 23 (transfer), Aug. 6 (transfer) and Aug. 20-21. If you see new students
and their families on campus, please give them a warm Winthrop welcome.
Sports News
As the sports seasons wind down, there are several items of good news to share.
Baseball achieved the program’s highest conference tournament seed (#2) since 2017. They play today at 3 p.m. against Longwood (watch live on ESPN+).
Former volleyball players Avery Jolley and Rachel McCollum, both of whom graduated in December, were honored with the conference’s Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence.
The track and field teams finished the outdoor season at the Big South Championships where our student-athletes secured six school records and six podium finishes, including the men's 4x100m relay team taking the gold medal.
The softball team finished as conference regular season champions, and Darrah Nickens was voted Newcomer of the Year and Kendall Fuller was named Big South Coach of the Year.
Men’s golfer Dylan Park was voted the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year.
The women's golf team is among six women's collegiate golf programs selected for the 2026 Truist Championship Access, Opportunity and Development Summit that will take place in August.
The Overwatch and Super Smash Brothers esports teams captured championships at the National Association of Collegiate Esports 2026 Grand Finals in Orlando.
Congratulations to these student-athletes, coaches and programs for such strong showings
this season!
While there is much to be excited about as indicated above, I hope you’re able to
use some time this summer to recharge. Please know that I appreciate all you do for
Winthrop!
Edward
Edward Serna
President
