Update on Winthrop presidential search expected Friday

Later this week, we’re expecting an update on the search process underway to find Winthrop University’s eleventh president.

The university’s board of trustees are scheduled to meet Friday for a regular scheduled meeting at 1 p.m. Presidential search committee co-chairs John Bird and Kathy Bigham will share their latest findings.

Earlier this year, the trustees voted unanimously and chose Dallas, Texas-based R. William Funk and Associates to lead the firm. Funk’s group has previously selected presidents at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University.

Funk’s firm is scheduled to produce a list of finalists for the position in February or March.

Also Friday, the trustees’ compensation committee will meet earlier in the day. Human Resources Director Lisa Cowart, trustee Janet Smalley and Winthrop’s acting president, Debra Boyd, are expected to begin research on a competitive salary study for the university’s faculty and staff.