Meeting of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
Full Board of Trustees
Friday, July 31, 2026 | 12:10 p.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), John Brazell, Alison Hamilton, David McDonald, Janet Smalley, Isaiah Venning, Ashlye Wilkerson and Gary Williams
Board Members Absent: Randy Imler, Rick Lee, and Sandra Stroman
President’s Cabinet Present: President Edward Serna, Kevin Butler and Tammie Phillips
Other Attendees Present: Ashley Abel, Ellen Wilder-Byrd and Gary Pope (Bond Counsel)
(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, July 31, 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 12:10 p.m. and welcomed all present.
Report from Committee on Finance and Audit
Committee Chair Brazell reviewed the action from the Committee meeting regarding the bridge loan for student housing and the ratification of the Higher Education Revenue Bond resolution from December 17, 2014.
Executive Session
Chair Hamilton requested a motion to move into executive session noting exigent circumstances
for the receipt of legal advice. Trustee Brazell made a motion with a second from
Trustee McDonald. Motion carried.
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to end executive session. Trustee Brazell made a motion, seconded by Trustee Venning. Motion carried.
Chair Hamilton reported no action was taken during executive session.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to the resolutions brought forth by the Committee on Finance and Audit. Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the amendment of the amount on the agenda, noting the amount should be $3,400,000 instead of $3,600,000, which was a typo on the agenda. Trustee Venning seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Chair Hamilton thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting and called for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Brazzell moved. The motion was seconded by Trustee Williams and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 12:21 p.m.
