Monday, December 12, 2022 | 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Originating in Thompson Conference Room | Tillman Building
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC
Members Present: Kathy Bigham, John Brazell, Ed Driggers, Julie Fowler, Tim Hopkins, Randy Imler, Glenn McCall, David McDonald, Tim Sease, Robby Sisco, Janet Smalley, Isaiah Venning, and Gary Williams
Members Absent: Sandra Stroman, Ashlye Wilkerson
Others Present: Lisa Cowart, Kimberly Faust
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, December 12, 2022, on the campus of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC.
Call to Order
Chair McCall, called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. He welcomed all present both in person and online. He congratulated Julie Fowler for her new position as Spartanburg School District Three Superintendent.
Executive Session
Tim Sease made a motion to move into executive session for the purpose of discussing employment matters. Gary Williams seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Janet Smalley moved to end executive session. Tim Hopkins seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to end executive session.
Update on Search for Vice President of Advancement
President Serna briefed the trustees on the search for the next vice president of advancement. Based on a thorough search process, aided by Myers McRae search firm, and a search committee comprised of PN Saksena, Gary Simrill, Monica Bennett, Robert Wildman, and Chuck Rey, Kevin Hughes was selected as the top candidate for the position.
The president said that he found in Kevin the right mix of proven fundraising expertise, intimate knowledge of the advancement enterprise, and familiarity with garnering support for a medium-sized public institution where affordability and access are drivers of enrollment. Serna informed the Board that Hughes’ experience building teams and effectively garnering support, as well as a track record of strategic coordination of the areas of major giving, annual giving, planned giving, stewardship, alumni relations, database management and gift processing made Hughes the ideal candidate.
Mr. Hughes currently serves as the associate vice president of advancement at the New College Foundation, having joined the team there in 2019. In this role, he oversees the major gifts, annual fund and alumni relations programs.
Kathy Bigham made a motion to confirm the president’s selection of Kevin Hughes. Tim Hopkins seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Hearing no objections, Chair McCall adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.