May 9 Commencement at Winthrop University Celebrates Class of 2026 (05/04/26)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mike Whitehead '87, '94, founder and chief executive of the Center for Intentional Leadership, will deliver the Commencement address and share his insights with the Class of 2026 during both ceremonies.

• The first ceremony, at 10 a.m., is for the soon-to-be graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The 3 p.m. ceremony is for the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education, the College of Business and Technology, and the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University will celebrate more than 700 undergraduate and graduate students during two Commencement ceremonies on May 9 at the Winthrop Coliseum.

Commencement represents the end of the academic year, as well as the end of a chapter for hundreds of Winthrop students finishing their degrees.

Mike Whitehead '87, '94, founder and chief executive of the Center for Intentional Leadership, will deliver the Commencement address and share his insights with the Class of 2026 during both ceremonies.

The first ceremony, at 10 a.m., is for the soon-to-be graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The 3 p.m. ceremony is for the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education, the College of Business and Technology, and the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.

President Edward Serna '02 will preside over both ceremonies as more than 500 seniors will receive bachelor's degrees and another 200 will receive master's or specialist degrees. Four students will be recognized with a certificate for completing the WinthropLIFE program for those with intellectual disabilities.

About Mike Whitehead

Whitehead has spent more than 30 years in rooms with chief executives, industry experts and political leaders. He approaches expanding leadership and impact with direct experience, curiosity and keen insight. His practical, yet challenging, method has shifted thousands of lives, personally and professionally.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Whitehead's firm advances the principles of Intentional Leadership in building remarkable organizations and meaningful lives. Whitehead also participates with boards and community partners devoted to expanding opportunity for all - with commitment to disadvantaged children, education, young entrepreneurs and supporting young adults toward positive futures.

Often described as "an ordinary guy with an extraordinary commitment," he works through inquiry and personal parable - meeting people in the universal desire to make one's life count.

Whitehead's commitment is rooted in his own story and carries an emphatic assertion: the circumstances of our beginnings do not determine the reach of our becoming. He speaks publicly and leads programs on Intentional Leadership as it applies to performance, change, innovation, creativity, collaboration and purpose.

Whitehead received a bachelor's degree in management and physical education and a master's degree in counseling and leadership, both from Winthrop. It is also where he met his wife, Elizabeth '87, a merchandising major. They enjoy spending time on their Rock Hill farm with their children and grandchildren who continue to provide inspiration and commitment to the future.

Winthrop's Commencement schedule:

10 a.m. - Graduate and undergraduate degrees will be awarded to graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. President Award recipients will be recognized for those with the highest GPA.

3 p.m. - Graduate and undergraduate degrees will be presented to graduates from the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education, the College of Business and Technology, and the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences. Student awards will be given, along with faculty awards to Associate Professor of Computer Science Andrew Besmer, the Distinguished Professor Award; Assistant Professor of Special Education Amy Clausen, Outstanding Junior Professor Award; and Associate Professor of Accounting Charles Randle, the Jane LaRoche Graduate Faculty Award.

Rock Hill residents who are not attending the Commencement ceremonies may want to stay away from the Winthrop Coliseum area due to heavy traffic. Signs will be posted near the coliseum encouraging those not attending to take a different route.

For those who cannot attend the May 9 ceremonies, there will be a live stream available on YouTube. Please visit the university's homepage and click on the "Commencement Information" graphic to access the video and other important information regarding Commencement.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or [email protected].