Jayne Comstock named as Winthrop’s 10th president

Board of Trustees meet to determine Winthrop’s next president.

With a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees, Jayne Marie Comstock was elected as the 10th president of Winthrop University Friday afternoon.

The Board, who went into executive session for a little over 30 minutes, returned to the Gold Room at 12:25 p.m. to make their announcement to the Winthrop community and press.

After the decision was announced, Comstock was called via Skype to be offered the presidential position by Winthrop Board Chair Dalton Floyd.

“So I am now authorized to officially offer you the opportunity to become the next president of Winthrop University. Do you accept?” Floyd asked.

Comstock replied by saying “’Yes. I am so very pleased to have been selected as the next president of Winthrop.”

Comstock, 55, said she is convinced that “building upon the great progress of President DiGiorgio, that the university can move to even greater accomplishments in the future.”

Currently on sabbatical from Butler University as a communications professor where she also served as provost and president for academic affairs, Comstock is also the director of the Executive Leadership Group for the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Jayne Comstock accepts the position as the 10th president of Winthrop.

According to a university press release, Comstock is expected to schedule a return trip to Rock Hill in the near future to formalize the presidential agreement, once the S.C. Agency Head Salary Commission approves a salary for her. The board has recommended a state salary of $169,970, the release stated.

“Dr. Comstock over time simply emerged from the process as the best all-around candidate, “Floyd said. “We were told from the outset by our search consultant that Winthrop would be viewed as a tremendous opportunity for someone with presidential aspirations, and that is exactly how we arrived at this day. This is a good match for Winthrop and a good match for her.”

The press release stated Comstock’s selection as president has led her to prepare for a family move to the on-campus President’s House. Her husband Larry A. Williamson and their 9-year-old Chesapeake retriever will accompany her.