We are writing today in our official capacities--and as alumni who love Winthrop--to address false and misleading accusations made recently by a disgruntled former employee, Todd Hagins, who has engaged in a retaliatory campaign to harm Winthrop, our students and personnel, and our reputation across South Carolina and our country. There are several things we want you to know.
First and foremost, the allegations of race discrimination against Winthrop are false. Winthrop has a long and proud history of openness, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination that continues to this day. We are proud that Winthrop’s student body reflects the racial demography of our state, and that members of our campus community share a sense of belonging where they are appreciated for what they bring to Winthrop. In recent years we have seen Winthrop’s minority enrollment increase, not decrease. Enrollment of Black/African-American students has increased from Fall 2023 to Fall 2025 from 30.5% to 33.3%. Winthrop has 40% first generation students, providing access and opportunity. The University currently has more people of color in the President’s Cabinet than at any time in our past. For many years, Winthrop has led South Carolina’s four-year state universities in meeting goals for recruiting, retaining and promoting minorities and women, according to the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission. Winthrop has long been and continues to be one of the most diverse public campuses in the state.
We adamantly agree with a recent faculty statement noting that “it is important that all employees be held accountable for their words and actions in the workplace.” That aligns with Winthrop’s response when, in 2024, the university received a complaint about racially insensitive comments by an employee of the University. We are affirming that Winthrop conducted a prompt, thorough, and professional investigation of the internal employee complaint and took appropriate remedial action. That is our duty under the law. We take that responsibility seriously and are letting you know since that time we have received no similar complaints about that employee.
There is no place for racial comments or racial insensitivity within Winthrop, and we have taken steps to ensure compliance with these expectations.
This complaint, coupled with the appropriate discharge of Mr. Todd Hagins from employment with Winthrop, has led to a litany of false allegations and attacks against Winthrop. For example, Mr. Hagins claims that the return to a former student government model (Student Government Association) from the Council of Student Leaders was taken by the Board to reduce minority involvement. In fact, it was CSL, a majority of whose members were Black/African-American, that formed a committee to investigate the best form of student representation, and it was the CSL which asked the Winthrop Board of Trustees to make the change back to SGA.
Second, Mr. Hagins’ false allegations were the centerpiece of a Charge of Discrimination against Winthrop with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), challenging his discharge from employment for cause. Winthrop provided a detailed response, and the EEOC recently dismissed Mr. Hagins’ charge, stating that the dismissal was “based on the Commission’s decision that further investigation would not likely lead to a finding of a violation of the statutes cited in the charge.”
Mr. Hagins also filed a state court lawsuit against Winthrop for allegedly violating the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). However, the University simply continued to follow the exact FOIA practices Mr. Hagins determined and followed during his time as General Counsel and Secretary to the Board. Thus, Mr. Hagins challenges his own legal advice and practices. Mr. Hagins attempted to specifically retaliate against two Board officers by improperly naming them as parties in this lawsuit. A S.C. Circuit Court Judge granted Winthrop’s motion to dismiss these individuals from this lawsuit as the claims against them were frivolous.
In response to Mr. Hagins’ attacks, Winthrop filed a counterclaim against Mr. Hagins for legal malpractice. Winthrop’s counterclaim is supported by an expert witness affidavit of a respected law professor. In response to this counterclaim, Mr. Hagins sought defense coverage from the S.C. Insurance Reserve Fund and was recently denied coverage. Winthrop will continue to defend the lawsuit vigorously and pursue a verdict for Winthrop.
Despite pending litigation, Mr. Hagins has taken his attacks outside of the court system. Mr. Hagins recently attempted to interfere with the election by the South Carolina General Assembly of certain positions on Winthrop’s Board of Trustees. These attempts also were unsuccessful.
Winthrop believes Mr. Hagins’ recent actions to be ones of desperation. He has again sought public attention to advance his personal vendetta through circulation of a lengthy unsworn statement full of false and misleading accusations. It is not a coincidence that he has escalated his smear campaign and retaliatory efforts shortly after the dismissal of his EEOC charge, shortly after Winthrop’s filing of an expert affidavit against him, shortly after his attempt to obtain defense coverage was denied, and shortly after his efforts to stop proper Board elections failed.
Initially we had reservations about responding to these allegations in large part because these are personnel matters. However, as Mr. Hagins’ efforts of retaliation continue and come at a time when we as a campus community are celebrating the achievements of our graduating students, we believe that we must set the record straight.
Furthermore, we do not want these negative attacks to continue to distract from the impressive happenings at Winthrop. The support of the Winthrop community, its Board and Administration, the public, and the General Assembly have carried Winthrop to new heights. For example, Winthrop has achieved a 12% increase in total enrollment over the last three years, double-digit increases in new freshmen and new transfer students from 2024 to 2025, and fall-to-spring retention of 90 percent (compared to the national average of around 70 percent). The University reported a near record-level year of fundraising during the 2024-25 fiscal year with nearly $8 million raised, reflecting a 73 percent increase in total giving over the previous fiscal year. The University’s largest ever cash gift of $2.5 million was recently announced. Partnerships have increased dramatically, and just last week Winthrop was announced as an Innovation Hub, one of six in the state, as part of a South Carolina Research Authority initiative designed to accelerate investment and strengthen South Carolina’s emerging technology ecosystem. The Winthrop: United in Excellence strategic plan unveiled two years ago continues to drive these and other institutional achievements and solidifies Winthrop’s role as an important contributor impacting not only education, but also innovation, economic and workforce development, as well as overall quality of life in the region.
This journey to excellence will continue. We ask that you continue to walk alongside us as we exemplify Winthrop’s mission, vision, and values.
Always Eagles,
Joel Hamilton ‘06
Chair, Winthrop University Board of Trustees
Edward Serna ‘02
President, Winthrop University
