Meeting of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
Full Board of Trustees
June 26, 2026 | 11:55 a.m.
Zoom Call Originating in Thompson Conference Room | Tillman Building
Winthrop University |Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present: Trustees Joel Hamilton (Chair), Kathy Bigham (Vice Chair), Alison Hamilton, Randy Imler, Rick Lee, Janet Smalley, Sandra Stroman, Isaiah Venning, and Gary Williams
Board Members Absent: Trustees John Brazell, David McDonald, Tim Sease, and Ashlye V. Wilkerson
President’s Cabinet Present: President Edward Serna, Kevin Butler and Tammie Phillips
Other Attendees Present: James Grigg
(Only attending Trustees, President Serna, President’s Cabinet, Board Staff, and others presenting or participating in the meeting are noted as attendees).
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Thompson Conference Room at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Secretary to the Winthrop Board of Trustees Tammie Phillips took the role and confirmed
a quorum of the Board was present.
Public Notice
The meeting agenda was posted on the Winthrop University website with proper notice
of the meeting. The meeting was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA).
Call to Order
Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 11:55 a.m. and welcomed all present. He stated that while the Board of Trustees in yesterday’s meeting noted certain special and exigent circumstances with regard to an extension of President Serna's contract, when the matter came to a vote, the Board did not record a specific finding of special or exigent circumstances. However, since there was no member of the public present to voice an opinion on the matter when the Board came out of executive session, there is no prejudice to the public for recording these special or exigent circumstances today in connection with yesterday’s vote. As a result, Chair Hamilton requested the Board to entertain a vote today to note and ratify the following exigent and special circumstances that existed as of the time of the vote yesterday, and upon which the Board relied in taking the vote.
Action
Trustee Bigham moved and Trustee Lee seconded the motion to affirm existence of exigent and special circumstances: risk of losing the President, need for continued leadership, importance of conveying confidence, and risk of losing momentum. Motion passed unanimously.
Report from Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities
Committee Vice Chair Lee reviewed the action from the Strategic Planning and Facilities meeting regarding the Amphitheatre Project.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to the resolutions brought forth by the Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities. Trustee Lee moved to approve. The motion carried with a unanimous vote.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Chair Hamilton thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting, whether in-person or via Zoom. Chair Hamilton asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Lee moved. The motion was seconded by Trustee Bigham and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:57 a.m.
