Each fall, the Winthrop Alumni Association presents Alumni Awards to alumni who have demonstrated Winthrop's tradition of excellence. The Honors and Awards Committee of the Alumni Executive Board reviews nominations and selects winners annually for the Alumni Distinguished Service Award, Alumni Professional Achievement Award and Outstanding Young Alumni Award. An internal committee of Winthrop staff selects the recipients for the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award and Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
Nominations for the 2023 Alumni Awards closed on Friday, June 23, 2023.
The 2023 Alumni Award recipients will be recognized at the Alumni Awards Dinner on
Thursday, Nov. 9, in Richardson Ballroom on Winthrop's campus. The Alumni Awards Dinner
is sponsored by Founders Federal Credit Union, the official credit union of Winthrop Athletics. 
Established in 1940, this award recognizes a Winthrop alumna for selfless dedication of time, energy, and talent in service to Winthrop and others.
The male equivalent of the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. This award recognizes a Winthrop alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy, and talent in service to Winthrop and others.
The recipient shall be a dedicated alumna/us who supports the growth and development of Winthrop University through their service to and/or support of programs and objectives established by the university, who significantly contributes to the quality of life in their community, the development of overall values and morals within others and serves as an outstanding citizen in their own right. Distinguished service may have been rendered with one's community, church, charity, family and school on a national, state or local level.
The recipient shall be a dedicated alumna/us who supports the growth and development of Winthrop University and exemplifies an outstanding code of ethics, as well as the overall quality concept by which Winthrop University is governed. This award is presented to an alumna/us who has made significant contributions to his/her professional field while exemplifying high moral and business ethics. Nomination documentation should indicate the nominee's involvement in and advancement of their chosen profession or field endeavor.
Recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us age 35 or younger whose service to Winthrop, service to the community and professional achievements have reflected positively on all alumni and the university.
Dr. Virginia Hart '45
Mars Hill, North Carolina
This award, established in 1940, recognizes a Winthrop alumna for selfless dedication
of time, energy and talent in service to others.
Mr. David Vehaun ’86
Rock Hill, South Carolina
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.
Mr. Timothy Hopkins '83
Lugoff, South Carolina
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us who significantly contributes to the quality of life in his or her community, the development of values and morals within others and serves as an outstanding citizen.
Dr. Len Lawson '02
Irmo, South Carolina
This award is presented to an alumna/us who has made significant contributions to
his or her professional field while exemplifying high moral and business ethics.
Mr. Brandon Sanders '10
Fort Mill, South Carolina
This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us age 35 or younger whose service to the university, service to the community and professional achievements have reflected positively on all alumni and the university.
2022 Recipients
2021 Recipients
2020 Recipients
2019 Recipients
2018 Recipients
2017 Recipients
