WHEREAS, Mrs. Kathy Hudson Bigham ’73 has served with distinction on the Winthrop Board of Trustees as the longest serving trustee in modern times, having been appointed to the Board as then-Governor Mark Sanford’s designee in 2003 prior to being elected numerous times by the South Carolina General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, while performing her extensive board service, she cheerfully served on various committees of note over the years including Finance, Student Life & Athletics, Advancement & Development, Enrollment & Retention, Compensation, Strategic Planning & Facilities, and External Engagement & Athletics, contributing to efforts made to positively impact every area of the university; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bigham’s greatest contributions to the Board were in her leadership roles, whereby she has graciously served at the discretion of her fellow trustees as either the Board Chair or Vice Chair for various terms over the years, as well as represented her peers as a member of the Executive Committee and served the institution as co-chair of the search committee for the 11th president; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bigham had strong affection for the many esteemed trustees with whom she worked on Winthrop’s behalf, but none more so than her good friend and confidante, the late Glenn McCall; and
WHEREAS, the pair led the Board with extraordinary commitment to Winthrop for many years, effectuating needed change and exhibiting strong positive belief in the university despite the inevitable challenges and obstacles that come with service on a public institution’s board; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bigham’s great love for her Alma Mater only pales in comparison to her deep devotion to family, including her late husband, Larry, and their daughters and families, including her five grandsons each of whom holds a special place in her heart; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bigham has steadfastly lived out the values she helped shape at Winthrop—leadership, service, community and excellence, among others; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bigham has exhibited throughout her distinguished career a caring heart for all Winthrop students and worked on their behalf with empathy, compassion and respect.
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED the Trustees, the President, and the Winthrop University faculty, staff and students do hereby convey their deep respect and profound gratitude to Mrs. Kathy Hudson Bigham, and do commend her for outstanding meritorious service to the Board of Trustees of Winthrop University.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary to the Board of Trustees shall certify that
the Winthrop University Board of Trustees approved this resolution on the 17th day
of September 2026, in a regularly scheduled meeting. Such resolution shall be maintained
and publicly posted by the Secretary of the Board in a time and manner as required
by law.
