Winthrop University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Winthrop University, a public institution in Rock Hill, South Carolina, boasts a rich history and a long list of accomplished graduates. From its origins as a training school for women teachers to its current status as a comprehensive university, Winthrop has consistently produced alumni who have made significant contributions in a variety of fields. This article explores some of the university's most notable alumni, highlighting their achievements and the impact they have had on their respective professions and communities.
A Foundation of Excellence: Winthrop University's History
Founded in 1886 with a grant from the Peabody Education Board, Winthrop University began as the Winthrop Training School for white women teachers. The institution quickly evolved, changing its name twice before settling in its current location in Rock Hill in 1895. Over the years, Winthrop expanded its curriculum and became fully coeducational in 1974, solidifying its place as a leading university in South Carolina.
Today, Winthrop University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees through its five colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, the Richard W. Riley College of Education, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and University College. With a student population of approximately 6,000, Winthrop is the sixth-largest university in South Carolina.
Notable Alumni: Champions in Various Fields
Winthrop University's alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields, including arts and entertainment, athletics, business, education, and public service. Here are some notable examples:
Arts and Entertainment
- Andie MacDowell: An American actress and former fashion model, MacDowell is known for her starring roles in romantic comedies and dramas. She has also modeled for Calvin Klein and has been a spokeswoman for L'Oréal since 1986.
- Shanola Hampton: An accomplished actress, Hampton is best known for her role as Veronica Fisher on the Showtime dramedy Shameless and as Gabi Mosely in the NBC drama series Found. She also served as the face model for Rochelle in the video game Left 4 Dead 2.
- Cathy Smith Bowers: An American poet and professor, Bowers teaches poetry in an M.F.A. program at Queens University of Charlotte. She was named the sixth North Carolina Poet Laureate (2010-2012) by Governor Bev Perdue and has published five collections of poetry.
Athletics
- Xavier Cooks: An Australian professional basketball player for the Sydney Kings of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Winthrop Eagles, where he was named the 2018 Big South Conference Player of the Year. In 2022, he helped the Sydney Kings win the NBL championship while earning grand final MVP honors. In 2023, he was named NBL MVP and won his second straight NBL championship.
- Chris Leroux: A Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and television personality. He played for the Florida Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB) and for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Leroux also competed for the Canadian national baseball team in international competitions.
- Alex Wilson: An American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Brewers.
- D.J. Burns: An American professional basketball player for the Goyang Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He previously played for the NC State Wolfpack of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Winthrop Eagles of the Big South Conference.
- Michael J. Jenkins: An American former professional basketball player who played college basketball for Winthrop University.
- Darin Mastroianni: An American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins.
- Marco Reda: A Canadian former soccer player who began his professional career in the USL A-League with the Toronto Lynx. He later played in Europe for Sogndal and returned to Toronto to sign with Toronto FC. He also played at the indoor level in the National Professional Soccer League with the Toronto ThunderHawks.
- Keon Johnson: An American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Winthrop University, where he was named Big South Conference Player of the Year in 2017.
- Chandler Vaudrin: An American professional basketball player who last played for the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Walsh Cavaliers and the Winthrop Eagles.
Public Service
- Steven Dillingham: An American lawyer who served as the 25th director of the United States Census Bureau from January 7, 2019, to January 20, 2021.
- The Honorable Dr. Hudson L. Roddey: A member of the Board of Trustees, named to the board in January 1981.
Other Notable Alumni
- Bruce Polsky, M.D.: Chair of the Study Monitoring Committee of the Hepatitis Transformational Science Group of the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and is the immediate past chair of the Publications Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. At Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospitals, Dr. Polsky was chair of the Department of Medicine (2009-2015), medical director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory (1998-2015) and Hospital Epidemiologist (1998-2015), and a professor of Medicine and Pathology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He also served as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals (1998-2012) and was the John H. Keating Sr.
Alumni Contributions to Winthrop University
Many Winthrop alumni have returned to serve their alma mater, contributing to the university's growth and success in various capacities.
Read also: Winthrop University Basketball: A Historical Overview
- Dorothy Barber: Joined the staff in 1970 as a clerk typist in Dacus Library and progressed to her current position as library specialist.
- Dr. Eddie Roddey: Daughter of two educators, later earned a doctorate in ministry.
The Impact of Winthrop University
Winthrop University has consistently produced graduates who have made a significant impact on their communities and professions. The university's commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility has instilled in its alumni a desire to serve and lead. As Winthrop continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of society, its alumni will undoubtedly continue to make valuable contributions to the world.
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