High Impact Student Success
Founded on July 1, 2003, University College brings together programs focused on increasing
student achievement and engagement across the university. The College coordinates
and guides programs from both academic affairs and student affairs across disciplines
to ensure that all Winthrop students, regardless of their ultimate goals, have a common
academic foundation as they commence their course of major study.
Currently the majority of University College is housed in Dinkins hall. Built in 1967, the building was named after John Grier "J.G." Dinkins, Sr. A plaque can be found at to the right of the main entrance of the first floor, that reads:
John Grier Dinkins
He loved Winthrop and served the college energetically and productively
from 1945 until his death in 1966.
Dinkins Sr. was born January 13th, 1894 in Manning, Clarendon, South Carolina. He served in the U.S Army in World War I. He also later was the mayor of Manning, SC-- where he is buried today-- for 16 years. He was a respected member of the Board of Trustees for Winthrop College from 1945 until his passing in 1966.
Dinkins Hall was previously known as the Student Center and was where students gathered and socialized until 2010, when the DiGorigio Campus Center opened. Today, the building houses the majority of the University College programs, but also has a few other locations such as the Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research.