Friday, February 18, 2022 | 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Originating in Evans Room | DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members Present: Kathy Bigham, John Brazell, Ed Driggers, Julie Fowler, Tim Hopkins, Jane LaRoche, Glenn McCall, Robby Sisco, Tim Sease, Janet Smalley, Isaiah Venning, Ashlye Wilkerson, and Gary Williams
Members Absent: Randy Imler, Sandra Stroman
Others Present: Chase Duncan of the Johnsonian and Alex Zietlow of The Herald, various members of the faculty, staff, and students of Winthrop University
The Board of Trustees met on Friday, February 18, 2022, on the campus of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Chair McCall, called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. He welcomed all present both in person and online.
Recommendation and vote for the 12th President of Winthrop University
Dr. Julie Fowler made a motion to recommend and vote for the 12th President of Winthrop by stating the following: Chairman McCall, I would like to present the candidate who stated the following:
“A prosperous, sustainable future for Winthrop requires a bold vision with clear goals, pursued within a structural and cultural framework that supports agility, collaboration and innovation.”
“In my time leading public institutions, I have demonstrated the aptitude to successfully lead a campus in this work with authenticity, honesty, transparency, and data-informed decision making.”
“My time as a nontraditional student at Winthrop University had a transformative impact on my life and launched my lifelong passion for the critical mission of public higher education. As an alumnus who cares deeply for this special place, I will always owe Winthrop a great debt.”
Chairman McCall, I make the motion that we hire Dr. Edward Serna as the 12th President of our beloved Winthrop University.
Dr. Ashlye Wilkerson seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was held with all trustees voting in support of the motion.
After the vote, Dr. Serna and his family, wife Lauren and daughters Anna Kate and Caroline joined the meeting via Zoom. Dr. Serna accepted the offer of employment as the 12th president and made the following statement.
“My experience at Winthrop is what drove me to change careers to serve public higher education. The opportunity to return to a campus community that made such a profound difference in my life is truly a blessing,” he said. “Lauren, the girls, and I can’t wait to get to Rock Hill and meet the community this summer.”
Adjournment
Hearing no objections, Chair McCall adjourned the meeting at 3:23 p.m.
