October 6, 2011 Issue

Page 1

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

Editor advocates use of cannabis plant. See Opinion, page 6

THURSDAY October 6, 2011

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

NEWS

mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Gov. Nikki Haley said on Monday that Winthrop might earn a spot on the list of higher education institutions set to receive more state funding if the university meets accountability funding standards. Trekking to the Richardson Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. during the first stop on a series of town hall style meetings so she could unveil her legislative report cards, the first female South Carolina governor told a room of about 200 students, citizens, faculty and media personnel that the state will change the way it deals with higher education. That change includes switching to a “pay for performance situation,”

Haley said. “Winthrop will actually receive some help when we go to that new accountability funding because they will be able to show measurables as to what they’re doing,” Haley said. What students can hope to see, Haley said, is a demonstration of college presidents and herself standing together before the General Assembly and saying “this is what we want you to do.” Lawmakers will be able to see how well universities are doing in relation to the measurables and allocate funding based on merit and not “based on a hand out,” Haley said. Without rhyme or reason, Haley said “the number of alumni in the

See HALEY page 5

NEWS

Batman, Batgirl rally for the arts AMANDA PHIPPS phippsa@mytjnow.com

Superheroes walked the campus on Monday. WUSSA (Winthrop University Student Advocates for the Arts) gathered at the Amphitheater on the day of Gov. Nikki Haley’s visit to Winthrop for a “Rally for the Arts,” which gathered all majors together to advocate for the arts in schools and share what their life would be without them. The arts saved Mary Shockley, WUSSA’s president. Before she took theater in high school, Shockley said she felt alone. “I thought I was the only weird one out there,” she said.

Issue 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em lures students with cards, chips

Gov. Haley discusses college funding plan JONATHAN MCFADDEN

On-campus international students may be displaced. See Culture, page 12

Winthrop wetlands provide haven for aquatic animals. See Science & Tech, page 8

Shockley said the arts are a big part of her life. “They are my outlet and inspiration for everything,” she said. “I see art everywhere, and it makes something that someone sees as dull mean something.” White Stripes is Shockley’s favorite band. “They are my guiding light,” she said. The arts help people forget their personal issues with each other and are a “powerful thing,” Shockley said. “People understand each other through the arts,” she said. Senior theater tech and design and economics double-major Sandy Redzikowski agreed that the arts are important.

See HEROES page 3

MONICA KREBER kreberm@mytjnow.com

Bryan Gosling is seated directly across from his opponent, senior chemistry major Son Dinh. Between them is a mesh of multi-colored poker chips, and both hold a hand of cards. In the beginning, Gosling goes “all in” with his chips, using a pair of twos. He forces his opponent to fold with a bluff. In the next hand, Gosling loses three-fourths of his chips to Dinh. They go back and forth for an hour until Dinh wins round one of the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. A scheduled meeting causes Gosling to forfeit. Dinh and Gosling were among roughly a dozen students who participated in the Texas Hold ‘Em and Spades Tournament on Friday, Sept. 30 in the DiGiorgio Student Center. The event was held through the intramural sports program. Senior physical education major Will Plyler, an intern with recreational services, said he decided to play because the idea sounded interesting. “I just wanted to play,” he said. “I used to play a lot back home with my friends.” Intermural sports supervisor Deandre Robinson said

Though no real money was lost during the Texas Hold ‘Em and Spades Tournament on Friday, students started with $200 worth of chips and played several rounds. Photo by Aimee Harman • harmana@mytjnow.com

See POKER page 10

SPORTS

America Calling: DAVID THACKHAM thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Adam Brundle stands as a shining example that doing your homework really can get you ahead in life. In 2009, the now 19-year old midfielder for the Winthrop men’s soccer team was hard at work on a school project when a banner advertisement changed his life and his playing career forever. “I guess I was young and it drew me in,” Brundle said. “That really

One Englishman’s journey from Stamford Bridge to Eagle Field

changed things a lot. I thought ‘Why not?’” Born in London, Brundle is the second youngest of four siblings raised in Norwich, England. An English upbringing meant that while many of his American peers were battling math in 3rd grade, Brundle was already battling with top soccer talent from across the country. At eight years old, he was enrolled in the soccer academy of West Ham United, a long-respected fixture of the Barclays Premier League (currently in the Football League

Championship). The program has developed and strengthened internationally-known talent such as England’s Frank Lampard, Bobby Moore, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand. By his eleventh birthday, Brundle was testing his talents closer to home at Championship League side Norwich. “I was playing soccer for about three hours a day,” said Brundle, a sport management major. “But I was also getting a good education

See BRUNDLE page 13

NEWS

Graphic by Courtney Niskala • niskalac@mytjnow.com JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com Nine years ago, rumor had it that Darren Ritzer and Merry Sleigh were having an affair. Both wore wedding bands, but would always be seen together- walking and eating. In truth, Merry Sleigh is Merry Sleigh-Ritzer, Darren

Ritzer’s wife. It was a typical Friday morning for the Ritzers when they met with their visitor. The kids were dropped off. Merry Sleigh sat at her computer, prepping to get through another day of classes, lectures and meetings. Two doors down, Darren Ritzer undoubtedly did the same.

Questions? Contact us at editors@mytjnow.com Serving Winthrop since 1923

Nevertheless, their witty banter and congenial personalities were at their peak, so much so they didn’t mind addressing the campus gossip that mistakenly placed them as adulterers. “It was kind of a letdown for them to find out we were actually married,” Ritzer recalled with a smile. “End of scandal.” “But I think now people know

I N D E X

[that we’re married]; there have been enough students who know us,” Sleigh said. For the express purpose of avoiding confusion and the question, “Which Dr. Ritzer are you talking about?” the couple decided to go by different last names. Students get it, they said. Colleagues, on the other

CAMPUS NEWS OPINION SCIENCE & TECH

hand, sometimes take more time on the uptake. “I think most of their spouses are in different realms; I don’t know if they could picture what it would be like to work with their spouse all the time,” Ritzer said. Oftentimes, people will send

See LOVE page 2

2-5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

6-7

CULTURE

8-9

SPORTS

10-11 12 13-15


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