(A) The Board of Trustees of Winthrop University is composed of the Governor and the State Superintendent of Education or their designees who are members ex officio of the board, ten other members each to be elected by the joint vote of the General Assembly, as hereinafter provided, and two graduates of Winthrop University to be appointed by the Winthrop University Alumni Association or its successors, as hereinafter provided.

(B) In addition to the members of the board in subsection (A), there shall be one additional member of the board appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall make the appointment based on merit regardless of race, color, creed, or gender and shall strive to assure that the membership of the board is representative of all citizens of the State of South Carolina.