Winthrop University

Winthrop University is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools. He received a grant from Robert Charles Winthrop, a philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts, to establish the school. Since its inception, Winthrop has developed into a comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees through five colleges and schools. It is classified among "Master's Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs". With approximately 6,000 students, it is the sixth-largest university in South Carolina. The 100-acre (40.5 ha) main academic and residential campus is located in Rock Hill, 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, and 71 miles (114 km) north of Columbia, South Carolina. Fielding athletic teams known as Winthrop Eagles, the university participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of Big South Conference. The athletic program is known for its success in basketball, esports, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.