Development News

Students Lauren Bullard, from left, Tasha Brannan, Candice Caldwell and Natasha Summers set up an information table in the West Center to raise awareness of Winthrop's student giving program, Go Gold for Life.

• Great work by callers. Hats off to the Phonathon students for another great semester of calling! During the spring phonathon, student callers raised $131,113 in pledges and gifts, surpassing their semester goal of $115,000.

• Caller touched by moving story. Erica Reid, a freshman psychology major from Salisbury, N.C., is the caller of the month. As a caller, Reid contacts numerous alumni to update them on Winthrop and asks them to support the Winthrop Fund. A few weeks ago, she called Jeff Davis ’99, who informed her that his son, Law, has Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in vital organs and uses the same genetic pathway as cancer.

Reid was so moved by her conversation with Davis that she has joined in the fight to find a cure. Reid said, “Since Law's diagnosis, Davis has made every effort toward finding a cure for his son and all others with TS. He has made trips to Washington, D.C., in order to lobby for federal assistance in finding a cure. With the help of friends and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, the Davis family organized a fundraising walk on April 25 in Lexington, S.C. I plan to walk on behalf of Team Law, and I have begun encouraging campus organizations to join the cause, too.”

Davis was very impressed by Reid’s efforts. “She embodies what I think all alumni hope that Winthrop is fostering in the current generation of students – compassion and community involvement, as well as scholarship,” he said. For information on TSC and how you can help Reid, click here.

• Go Gold for Life. Even in these tough economic times, Winthrop students are pitching in to make the Winthrop experience available for everyone. Go Gold for Life is the student-giving program led by the Student Alumni Council in partnership with the Development Office. Go Gold for Life teaches students the importance of giving back to the Winthrop Fund. The Winthrop Fund supports key university initiatives including student scholarships, faculty efforts and the Alumni Association. This spring, the students have raised $2,193 in pledges and gifts. These students will be listed in the May Commencement program. 

• Winthrop memories abound. No matter what memories you cherish most about your Winthrop days – the daisy chain, the rat cap you still have somewhere, a friendship with a roommate or the preparation and mentoring given to you by a faculty member – please consider commemorating your own Winthrop experience.Your gift of any amount means great things for the current campus community and also will count toward your class giving total, which will be announced at Alumni Reunion Celebration. Make a gift to the Winthrop Fund.