Norman is currently a sitting politician as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and represents South Carolina’s 5th district – which includes Rock Hill
In a first for Winthrop, the university is leasing out one of its properties to a sitting Congressman.
On March 1, the office of Congressman Ralph Norman moved into the Sellers House. In an email sent out to university administrators, President Serna justified the move as a financial opportunity for the university:
“This is an opportunity for Winthrop to bring in revenue on a property in the periphery of campus,” Serna wrote.
The Sellers House, located on Oakridge Avenue, was originally the Office of University Events. With Norman moving in, the Office has been relocated to Tillman Hall. According to Serna, this was a necessary move that will bring Winthrop employees closer to the heart of campus.
The relationship between Winthrop and the congressman is a governmental lease. It began on March 1, 2025, and extends through December 31, 2026, according to a statement provided to the Johnsonian from Kevin Butler, Winthrop’s vice president for finance and business affairs.
Winthrop will collect $3,200 in rent each month. In return, the congressman and his staff will conduct official duties.
Congressman Ralph Norman expressed his excitement about the new office in an official communication shared on his website. However, there was no explanation for his choice in location.
When asked why the Congressman moved into the Sellers House, Sophie Lyczek, the Congressman’s press secretary, said there was “No particular reason.”
According to Lyczek, Winthrop was eager to rent to the Congressman, saying, “Winthrop was very happy to work with us.”
Light renovations have been made to the Sellers House since the Congressman moved in, including an all new wooden back deck.
Asked about the renter-relationship between a public university and politician, Lyczek reiterated Winthrop’s history of leasing out properties, such as sporting venues and event spaces. This justification is not unlike Butler’s answer.
Although Winthrop has engaged in many short-term leases, Winthrop has not engaged in many long-term leases. According to Butler, Winthrop is actively searching for similarly profitable relationships.
“Winthrop will continue to explore ways to monetize the real property assets of the institution,” Butler said.
Not long after the Congressman moved in, protesters began gathering outside the new office. According to Thomas McDow, who runs an attorney’s office next door to the Sellers House, there have been protests every single monday.
Congressman Ralph Norman’s arrival comes two years after Winthrop hired former Republican State Representative, Gary Simrill. Simrill, a Winthrop alumnus, served as the Special Assistant to the President for Community Engagement.
Now though, he works as a private lobbyist for his company Canon Strategic LLC – while still working under Winthrop.
During his time in the State House, Simrill represented the 46th District, which overlaps with Congressman Ralph Norman’s 5th Congressional District.
When Simrill came to Winthrop in 2022, he shared his vision for Winthrop. He imagined bringing together business partners, employers and entrepreneurs in York County, as well as political leaders and other higher education institutions.
According to an article published by Winthrop in 2022, Simrill emphasized bringing community leaders to campus: “He looks forward to bringing politicians, community leaders, college presidents and others to visit the campus to collaborate on partnerships or to participate in a speaker series with the university-based John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy.”
The Johnsonian contacted Simrill about Congressman Norman’s office but received no answer at the time of publication.
