Interview with Anthony Joseph DiGiorgio - OH 592

Interviewer

Rebecca Masters

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Abstract

This interview was conducted for the as part of the Winthrop History Project spearheaded by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to “document the 24-year path of the original Winthrop College to becoming Winthrop University.” This effort was to produce a history of the institution and Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure as president as a supplement to Dr. Ross Webb’s history of Winthrop (The Torch is Passed) that covered Winthrop history up to Dr. DiGiorgio becoming president. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the extended Winthrop community who participated in or helped guide the advancement of Winthrop over these years. That way, the Winthrop story will be told in an array of participants’ own words, own voices and from their own perspectives.

This interview is with former Winthrop president, Dr. Anthony Joseph DiGiorgio and his wife and former first lady, Gale DiGiorgio. Dr. DiGiorio (1940-2020) served as Winthrop’s ninth president for 24 years from 1989 through 2017. In this interview former President DiGiorgio and former First Lady, Gale DiGirogio, discuss Winthrop Athletics.

In his more than two decades as Winthrop president, Dr. DiGiorgio led the college's conversion to Winthrop University and its commitment to individual academic program accreditation. Upon Anthony DiGiorgio's retirement from the presidency, the Board of Trustees conferred the titles of President Emeritus and First Lady Emeritus to Dr. DiGiorgio and his wife Gale. Dr. DiGiorgio began his presidency at Winthrop after serving the College of New Jersey for 19 years in a variety of faculty and administrative positions, including vice president for academic affairs.

In addition to receiving numerous national accolades for overall institutional excellence, Winthrop, under DiGiorgio's leadership, achieved recognition for its dedication to "Education by Design," a concept that intertwines the planning, design, and expansion of campus facilities with the nature and character of Winthrop's learning community.

In addition to extensive adaptive re-use and renovation of Winthrop’s many historic buildings and spaces, new facilities added to the campus and its environs through this initiative have added immeasurably to the quality of life for all in the campus community. The new facilities include the Courtyard at Winthrop; the Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center; Leitner Wall; Winthrop Ballpark, Softball Complex, Memorial Tennis Courts, and Belk Track; Culp Chiller Plant, Owens Hall; Carroll Hall; Scholars Walk; Hardin Family Gardens; the Campus Center, itself, and almost 15 acres of land ensuring the university's westward growth path for years to come.

Gale DiGiorgio also played a distinctive role on the Winthrop campus and in the greater Rock Hill community. She served the campus and community as First Lady with sensitivity, style and grace. She was also an occasional instructor to undergraduate students and a mentor to student affairs professional staff. In addition, she was active as a community volunteer with a special emphasis on the well being of children.

Publication Date

5-9-2016

Unique Identifier

OH 592

Format

MP3;

Length

01:18:09

Restrictions

This interview is open for use.

Series

Anthony DiGiorgio

Disciplines

Law

Interview with Anthony Joseph DiGiorgio - OH 592

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