ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – President Edward Serna ’02 will oversee his first Winthrop University Commencement ceremony on Dec. 17. The 11 a.m. ceremony will be held at the Winthrop Coliseum.
He will confer degrees to around 350 graduate and undergraduate students who finished their degrees in August and December.
The keynote speaker is Political Science Professor Adolphus Belk Jr. who was recognized in May as the university’s Distinguished Professor. His message about perseverance and responsibility should intrigue graduates and the audience.
Serna will recognize English Professor Kelly Richardson ’93, ’95, as the 2022 Kinard Award recipient for excellence in teaching. The Kinard Award is the university’s highest teaching honor. In addition to teaching writing and literature courses, Richardson is the director of composition and oversees all sections of Writing 101, a vital part of the university’s general education core. Colleagues said she is a consummate “teacher of teachers.”
In addition, Serna will present graduating undergraduates who hold the highest GPAs with the President’s Award.
Traffic Expected Around Coliseum
Rock Hill residents who are not attending the Commencement ceremony may want to stay away from the Winthrop Coliseum area due to the heavy traffic anticipated during the event. Signs will be posted near the coliseum encouraging those not attending to take a different route.
For those who cannot attend the Dec. 17 ceremony, they may view the live stream on YouTube.
Please visit the university's homepage and click on the "Commencement Information" graphic to access the live stream and other important information regarding Commencement.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.
