Full History Of Winthrop University In Timeline From 1920

1920: Name change to Winthrop College

In 1920, the school underwent its fourth name change, becoming Winthrop College, the South Carolina College for Women. This marked a significant transition in the institution's identity.

1923: Publication of The Johnsonian

In 1923, The Johnsonian, Winthrop's independent weekly student newspaper, began publication, marking the start of student journalism at the university.

1943: Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to Winthrop

In 1943, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Winthrop University, marking a significant moment in the university's history.

1960: Founding of the Honors Program

In 1960, Winthrop University's Honors Program was founded, becoming one of the oldest in the nation.

1964: Desegregation of Winthrop College

In 1964, Winthrop College desegregated, marking a pivotal moment in the institution's history as it moved towards inclusivity.

1967: Establishment of the College of Arts and Sciences

In 1967, the College of Arts and Sciences was established at Winthrop University, offering a range of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Social Work programs.

1968: Founding of the College of Business Administration

In 1968, the College of Business Administration was founded at Winthrop University, offering Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs.

1968: Creation of the College of Education

In 1968, the College of Education was created at Winthrop University, marking the establishment of its education programs.

1969: Opening of the Ida Jane Dacus Library

In 1969, the current library building, named the Ida Jane Dacus Library, opened at Winthrop University in response to the university's growth.

1970: Dr. John S. Eells Elected President of NCHC

In 1970, Dr. John S. Eells, the founding director of Winthrop's University Honors Program, was elected the fourth President of the National Collegiate Honors Council.

1974: Winthrop College becomes fully coeducational

In 1974, Winthrop College became fully coeducational through an act of the state legislature. This change led to the institution being known simply as Winthrop College and also developed a graduate division.

1979: Accreditation by AACSB-International

In 1979, the College of Business Administration received accreditation from AACSB-International, marking a significant achievement in its academic standing.

1988: Establishment of the College of Visual and Performing Arts

In 1988, the College of Visual and Performing Arts was established at Winthrop University, encompassing the departments of Design, Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre and Dance.

1988: Men's basketball wins Big South Conference championship

Since 1988, Winthrop's men's basketball team has won 11 Big South Conference championships.

1989: Softball wins Big South Conference championship

Since 1989, Winthrop's softball team has won three Big South Conference championships.

1992: Name change to Winthrop University

In 1992, Winthrop College reflected its development into a comprehensive institution by changing its name to Winthrop University, signifying its growth beyond a college.

1994: Women's tennis wins Big South Conference championship

Since 1994, Winthrop's women's tennis team has won 20 Big South Conference championships.

1995: Winthrop Wins "Best Campus Program"

In 1995, Winthrop was ranked as having the "Best Campus Program" in the nation by Campus Activities Magazine.

1995: Baseball wins Big South Conference championship

Since 1995, Winthrop's baseball team has won three Big South Conference championships.

1997: Men's tennis wins Big South Conference championship

Since 1997, Winthrop's men's tennis team has won four Big South Conference championships.

1999: Opening of Dalton Hall

In 1999, Dalton Hall, a $12 million facility, opened on Winthrop's main campus, marking a significant development in the university's infrastructure.

1999: Filming of "The Rage: Carrie 2"

In 1999, Winthrop's campus served as a location for filming "The Rage: Carrie 2", adding to the university's history as a filming site.

1999: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 1999.

1999: United States Disc Golf Championship

Since its opening in 1999, the Research Complex has hosted the United States Disc Golf Championship.

2000: Renaming of the College of Education

In 2000, the College of Education was renamed the Richard W. Riley College of Education, honoring Richard W. Riley.

2000: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2000.

2000: Men's cross country wins Big South Conference championship

Since 2000, Winthrop's men's cross country team has won two Big South Conference championships.

2001: Opening of Winthrop Softball Complex

In 2001, the Winthrop Softball Complex opened, featuring four fields, locker rooms, and an indoor batting cage for the university's softball team.

2001: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2001.

2002: Winthrop Wins "Best Campus Program"

In 2002, Winthrop was ranked as having the "Best Campus Program" in the nation by Campus Activities Magazine.

2002: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2002.

2002: Men's soccer and women's volleyball win Big South Conference championship

Since 2002, Winthrop's men's soccer team has won six Big South Conference championships, and the women's volleyball team has won four Big South Conference championships.

2003: Opening of The Courtyard at Winthrop

In 2003, The Courtyard at Winthrop, featuring apartment-style residences for students, was opened, enhancing the university's student housing options.

2003: Opening of Winthrop Ballpark

In 2003, Winthrop Ballpark, a multimillion-dollar baseball stadium with 1,989 seats, was opened as the home of the Winthrop baseball team.

2003: Creation of Winthrop's University College

In 2003, Winthrop University College was created, which coordinates and supports academic and student affairs programs.

2003: Winthrop rated 'substantially exceeding standards'

Since 2003, Winthrop has been rated by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education as "substantially exceeding standards".

2004: Winthrop Wins "Best Campus Program"

In 2004, Winthrop was ranked as having the "Best Campus Program" in the nation by Campus Activities Magazine.

2005: Opening of Irwin Belk Track Complex

In 2005, the $2.8 million Irwin Belk Track Complex opened for Winthrop's track and field teams, hosting numerous Division 1 meets.

2005: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2005.

2006: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2006.

March 5, 2007: Winthrop Eagles Ranked in Top 25

On March 5, 2007, the Winthrop Eagles men's basketball team achieved a historic milestone by being ranked in the Top 25 of both major college basketball polls for the first time in school history.

March 16, 2007: Winthrop Eagles NCAA Tournament Win

On March 16, 2007, the Winthrop Eagles secured their first NCAA men's basketball tournament win in school history by defeating Notre Dame.

2007: Opening of the Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center

In 2007, the Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center opened, becoming the new home of the university's physical education department and intramural sports.

2007: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2007.

2008: Barack Obama's campaign speech

In 2008, Barack Obama delivered a speech at Winthrop University's McBryde Hall during his initial presidential campaign, continuing the tradition of presidential candidates visiting the university.

2008: Filming of "Asylum"

In 2008, the film "Asylum," starring Sarah Roemer, was filmed on Winthrop's campus, highlighting the university's appeal as a location for film and television productions.

2008: Randy Peele leads Eagles to Big South Championship

Randy Peele, Marshall's assistant at Winthrop, led the Eagles to win the Big South Championship in 2008.

2008: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2008.

2010: Opening of the DiGiorgio Campus Center

In 2010, the DiGiorgio Campus Center, a 128,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility, was added to Winthrop University, featuring amenities such as a movie theater, food court, and bookstore.

2010: Randy Peele leads Eagles to Big South Championship

Randy Peele led the Eagles to win the Big South Championship in 2010.

2010: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2010.

March 2012: Pat Kelsey Named Head Coach

In March 2012, Winthrop appointed Pat Kelsey as the new head coach of the Eagles.

2013: Winthrop Wins "Best Campus Program"

In 2013, Winthrop was ranked as having the "Best Campus Program" in the nation by Campus Activities Magazine.

2015: Daniel F. Mahony Becomes President

Daniel F. Mahony began his service as Winthrop University president in 2015.

2015: Democratic Party forum at Winthrop

In 2015, Winthrop University hosted a forum for the Democratic Party, featuring candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, highlighting the university's role in political discourse.

2015: Women's lacrosse wins Big South Conference championship

Since 2015, Winthrop's women's lacrosse team has won two Big South Conference championships.

2016: The Johnsonian Voted Top Student Newspaper

In 2016, The Johnsonian was voted as the top student newspaper in the state of South Carolina by the S.C. Press Association.

2017: Eagles Earn #13 Seed in NCAA Tournament

In 2017, the Eagles, under Kelsey, earned a #13 seed in the NCAA tournament but lost to #4 Butler in the opening round.

2017: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2017.

January 2020: George W. Hynd Appointed Interim President

In January 2020, George W. Hynd was appointed as the Interim President of Winthrop University, succeeding Daniel F. Mahony.

2020: Eagles Earn Automatic Bid to NCAA Tournament

In 2020, the Eagles earned an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, which was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Tennis Programs Discontinued

In 2020, the tennis programs at Winthrop were discontinued due to financial losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2020.

2021: Winthrop Ranked #13 Best Regional University in the South

In 2021, Winthrop was ranked as the #13 Best Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as the #7 Best College for Veterans and #11 Best College for Undergraduate Teaching.

2021: Eagles Earn #12 Seed in NCAA Tournament

In 2021, the Eagles earned a #12 seed in the NCAA tournament but lost to #5 Villanova in the first round. Kelsey left Winthrop following the 2021 season to become head coach at the College of Charleston.

2021: Men's Basketball Earns Big South Conference Championship

Since 1999, the men's basketball team has earned a berth in twelve NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments. The team has won the Big South Conference Championship thirteen times, including one in 2021.

2023: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Town Hall

In 2023, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a Town Hall in McBryde Hall on the Winthrop campus.

2024: Winthrop Offers Cornhole Scholarships

In 2024, Winthrop University gained national attention as the first Division 1 college to offer scholarships for playing cornhole.

History of Winthrop University in Timeline