Winthrop to Honor Five Distinguished Alumni at Alumni Awards Celebration (10/02/25)

October 02, 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

• The recipients are: Betty Morgan Holcombe '56, Mary Mildred Sullivan Award; Bob Hambright '74, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; Tiffany Spann-Wilder '95, Alumni Distinguished Service Award; Julie Robinson Adams '78, Alumni Professional Achievement Award; and Roman Vitanza '17, Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
• The event, which is one of several events held during Homecoming and Reunion, is by invitation only.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Five accomplished Winthrop University alumni will be honored for their service and professional achievements at the Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 13. The event, which is one of several events held during Homecoming and Reunion, is by invitation only.

The recipients are: Betty Morgan Holcombe '56, Mary Mildred Sullivan Award; Bob Hambright '74, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award; Tiffany Spann-Wilder '95, Alumni Distinguished Service Award; Julie Robinson Adams '78, Alumni Professional Achievement Award; and Roman Vitanza '17, Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Learn more about the recipients below:

MARY MILDRED SULLIVAN AWARD
This award, established in 1940, recognizes a Winthrop alumna for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.

Betty Morgan Holcombe '56

A teacher and philanthropist who is proud of her South Carolina roots and Winthrop education, Betty Morgan Holcombe continues giving back to help others achieve their college dreams. Holcombe earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Winthrop and taught for several years in Georgia and Florida before moving to Texas with her husband, Milton, where he founded a successful electronics company. She later earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Southern Methodist University while raising twin daughters and substitute teaching.

Holcombe served on the Winthrop campaign cabinet from 1998-2003 for the first capital campaign, is a charter member of the D.B. Johnson Society, has established multiple scholarships and made a leadership gift that later established the Morgan-Holcombe Alumni Center.

Read more about Betty Morgan Holcombe.

ALGERNON SYDNEY SULLIVAN AWARD

This award recognizes a Winthrop alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.

Bob Hambright '74
Bob Hambright began his career in the construction industry in 1970, earning an M.B.A. from Winthrop in 1974. His roles over the years have included project engineer, project manager, construction manager, regional manager and vice president. He's also been president of J.A. Jones Construction and division president and chief executive officer at Balfour Beatty construction.

Over the years at Winthrop, he's served as a guest lecturer, speaker and advisory board member for the College of Business and Technology. He also served on the Winthrop Foundation Board and was inducted as a charter member into the College of Business and Technology's Pinnacle Leadership Society.

Read more about Bob Hambright.

ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us who significantly contributes to the quality of life in his or her community, the development of values and morals within others, and serves as an outstanding citizen.

Tiffany Spann-Wilder '95

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Winthrop in 1995, Spann-Wilder earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and began her legal career as a law clerk to the late Honorable Matthew J. Perry, Jr., Senior United States District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina. She also served in roles at the U.S. Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Prisoners Division and the Federal Law Enforcement Center before entering private practice.

She has also served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and Judge Advocate General's Corp, among other judicial roles. She currently serves in the S.C. General Assembly as a representative for House District 109.

Read more about Tiffany Spann-Wilder.

ALUMNI PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is presented to an alumna/us who has made significant contributions to his or her professional field while exemplifying high moral and business ethics.

Julie Robinson Adams '78

Julie Robinson Adams has spent her storied career giving back in the social work industry. With a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Winthrop and later degrees from the University of South Carolina and UNC-Charlotte, she became the first social worker at the Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health. At just 23 years old, she proactively wrote to the health director to advocate for the integration of social work into the department's interdisciplinary care model, an initiative that led to the creation of the department's first medical social worker position, which she proudly assumed.

After more than three decades in public health, she transitioned back to direct service, focusing on the needs of older adults. She joined Humana Behavioral Health as a care manager and later became care manager for Humana at Home.

Read more about Julie Robinson Adams.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

This award recognizes a Winthrop alumna/us age 35 or younger whose service to the university, service to the community and professional achievements have reflected positively on all alumni and the university.

Roman Vitanza '17

Roman Vitanza held several leadership roles while a student at Winthrop and continues to showcase his leadership skills in the world. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in digital information design, Vitanza deployed as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Georgia, where he taught English and promoted cross-cultural understanding. Once he returned to the United States, he worked at American Airlines and now serves on the contract compliance team with the Allied Pilots Association.

He has earned national recognition for his service, including the Civil Air Patrol's Col. Robert V. "Bud" Payton National Public Affairs Officer of the Year and the Major Howell Balsem Public Affairs Exceptional Achievement Award.

Read more about Roman Vitanza.

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 803/323-2145 or e-mail [email protected].