The Winthrop University Board of Trustees gathered for a regular meeting on April 29-30, 2026, as the campus kicked off final exams, with graduating seniors looking with anticipation toward the university’s May 9 Commencement ceremonies. Trustees took action on several items of business on April 30.
In exciting news for our students, the board approved a resolution for the issuance of higher education revenue bonds not to exceed $55.5 million to build a new residence hall. The four-story, 400-bed building will be built along Cherry Road near the site where Wofford and Richardson were demolished in 2024. The new 95,000-square-foot project will help meet the university’s surging demand for housing driven by climbing enrollment and a growing slate of new degree programs.
During the meeting, AVP James Grigg outlined an ambitious construction schedule. Following an anticipated August 12 project financing closing, per Winthrop's financial advisors, First Tryon Advisors, the project contractor will begin site work immediately, installing underground utilities and laying a building pad. Vertical construction is set to begin in January 2027, with interior work commencing in February. Final inspections are targeted for November 2027 to keep the project on track for a spring 2028 opening.
Last summer, the board authorized an initial $600,000 for preconstruction services and approved seeking financing for the project. On April 8, an additional $1 million was approved at a special called meeting of the trustees to cover remaining preconstruction costs before the August financing closing.
The board also authorized the approval of change orders to the construction contract as needed.
Equally exciting, trustees endorsed a plan to open a downtown instructional site in nearby Fort Mill in the next year. The concept of a 10-year partnership with the town of Fort Mill aligns with our strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence, which calls for desired outcomes offering “flexible, innovative, and high-quality educational experiences that transcend the limitations of our physical campus.”
The partnership is contingent upon the finalization of the 2026-27 budget and resources for updating the location, including the potential for various funding sources. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be finalized as soon as funding is secured for site renovations.
The instructional site may replicate several programs on Winthrop’s main campus, including an early childhood laboratory school setting, Dual Enrollment program options, and advanced degree programs, certifications and industry engagements.
In other action, board members:
*Approved tenure and promotion decisions for faculty members as recommended by the Division of Academic Affairs and to be effective August 1. Granted tenure are: in the College of Arts and Sciences, Jessie Hoffman, human nutrition; in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Gabrielle Tull, dance; and in the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, Stacy Martin, middle level education, and Martha Rivera, athletic training.
Faculty members promoted to professor are: in the College of Arts and Sciences, Greg Bell, history; Kori Bloomquist, social work; Devon Fitzgerald, English; Victoria Frost, biology; Margaret Gillikin, social studies education; Kathryn Kohl, biology; Sarah Reiland, psychology; and in the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, Crystal Glover, early childhood education.
Faculty members promoted to associate professor: in the College of Education, Sport and Human Services, Amy Clausen, special education; Stacy Martin, middle level education; and Martha Rivera, athletic training.
Promoted to the rank of senior instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences, Bonnye Stuart, mass communication; College of Business and Technology, Maureen Hahn, business; and Office of Student Success, Jennifer Everhart, LEAP program.
*Approved a new Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in counseling and voted to offer two new concentrations, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in individualized studies with a concentration in strategic applied studies and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice. Academic Affairs also plans to rename the B.A. in game design to a B.A. in game design studies.
*Honored Ed Driggers ’92 for his membership on the Board of Trustees for eight years representing the Congressional District 4 seat. He recently moved out of the district and resigned his seat.
For more information on the board action, please see the news and events page for posted releases.
