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Student lacks opinion, still seeks opportunity for civic duty. See Opinion, page 5
Is pepper spray enough to keep you safe? Find out. See Science & Tech., page 6
THURSDAY January 26, 2012
Phelps to reopen in Fall with new interior, bathrooms. See News, page 2
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Issue 15
DRA GON
CULTURE
Lunar New Year:
Year of the
SARAH AUVIL
auvils@mytjnow.com
The hot-headed, yet soft dragon is this Lunar New Year’s animal. Photo by Sarah Auvil • auvils@mytjnow.com
SPORTS
broduerj@mytjnow.com
The Winthrop softball team is already gaining momentum heading into the 2012 season, even though the opening game is still 22 days away.
Over this past fall, sophomore pitcher Natalie Becker played a major role in helping the ON1 Brantford Bobcats capture this years U-19 Women’s Canadian National Title. The Waterloo, Ontario native posted an impressive 3-0 record
to go along with a 0.91 earned run average in her 23 innings during the championship run back in August. This title marks the second time that Becker has won a Canadian Championship, with the first com-
See CHAMP page 10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jobs for future jewelers Metalworking curriculum offers variety of careers MONICA KREBER kreberm@mytjnow.com
One of the biggest praises Adrian Amabile says he gets is when his wife tells him someone complimented her on a piece of jewelry she wears. The reason Amabile, a senior art major, appreciates the notion is because his focus is jewelry and metals, and he specializes in creating wearable pieces in his classes. With the jewelry and metals curriculum at Winthrop, Amabile said students can do a variety of things
See DRAGON page 9
NEWS
Softball scores Canadian champ JEFF BRODUER
Students from all nations and backgrounds congregated in the Richardson Ballroom to celebrate the Chinese New Year –some as fresh observers, and some as regular practitioners and performers sharing their culture. Traditional lion dancers from St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Charlotte got up close and personal with the crowd, squeezing through the aisles and looking at audience members from inches away. A traditional food showcase was donated by Thi Le of Thi’s Place on Main, a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Rock Hill. Jan. 23, 2012 is the first day of the Chinese
New Year celebration –a holiday based on the lunar calendar that is actually celebrated in more than 10 countries. The celebration typically lasts for 15 days. The holiday is based on the lunar calendar and usually occurs in late January or early February each year. According to legend, the holiday was started by trying to get rid of a monster called “Nian” (also the Chinese word for “year”). Villagers discovered the beast was afraid of the color red and firecrackers, hence the vibrant decorations during the holiday. Red is thought to ward away evil spirits and bad luck and bring good fortune for the upcoming year. This year was the year of
All eyes on Winthrop Political rallies extend national coverage to Winthrop KAITLYN SCHALLHORN schallhornk@mytjnow.com
With the Republican primaries underway, it’s not just the candidates that are receiving national media attention. Winthrop University, thanks in part to the Winthrop Poll, gained the attention of national news organizations as all eyes turned to South Carolina for the first-inthe-South GOP primary. “Our political science department is outstanding,” wrote Judy Longshaw, university relations, in an email.
The three-member team, comprised of political science professors Scott Huffmon, Karen Kedrowski and Adolphus Belk, became readily available to all member of the press night and day, according to Longshaw. Kedrowski, department chair of political science, can recall being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and the Detroit Free Press, along with many others, including the largest Polish newspaper. “It’s great for Winthrop,” Kedrowski
See COVERAGE page 4
when they graduate –they can design, repair and sell jewelry, among other career paths. “It’s got a lot of different avenues,” he said. “Some design companies can have you design things in a computer program for them, other places you can put together and design jewelry by hand… there’s different ways you can go.” He says there are up to six jewelry and metals classes offered at Winthrop. Students are required to take five of those classes, and every semes-
Students, staff and community members had the chance to meet and greet guest panelists at last Thursday’s West Forum event. From left: Chuck Todd, Steve Brusk and Steve Brooke. Photo by John Rhodes • rhodesj@ mytjnow.com
See JEWELRY page 8 NEWS
GOP front-runner fizzles out in pivotal primary JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com
Mitt Romney —the Republican presidential hopeful who initially surged in the polls but loss the decisive first-inthe-South primary— spoke at Winthrop on Jan. 18 hoping to rally supporters behind his economic policies and plans for job creation three days before South Carolina’s critical primary. But, as many students, some faculty and area residents in
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the crowd noted, his message didn’t make too much of an impact, perhaps an early indicator of Palmetto State voters’ unexpected about-face on Jan. 21. Fifteen minutes or so after the event was scheduled to begin, Romney took the stage, his fan base letting their presence be known with roaring yells and exciting applause. He then flaunted his fiscal success in the Bay State while its governor, before singing the praises of his wife, Ann, the mother of their five sons and 16 grand-
I N D E X
CAMPUS NEWS
children. Telling a story of her hardworking grandfather, Ann lauded America as a land of opportunity despite saying that “at this moment, we feel that light is dimming in America.” “We feel that things aren’t right,” she added. “We’re worried about it; we want to make sure we keep America the way it needs to be… the strength of the earth… the hope of the earth.” That “hope” is flailing, Romney explained, as he laid out the struggles intended retirees,
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college students and working class people have to endure in a slagging economy. “I see young people coming out of college expecting to have a great job waiting for them but [we’re] finding way too many cases where they can’t find work, and if they do find work it’s at a skill level far beneath what they were prepared for in their education,” he said. “I see people coming home from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, expecting a job here but not
See ROMNEY page 3
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
OPINION
5
CULTURE
SCIENCE & TECH
6
SPORTS
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