9-9-2010 Issue TJ

Page 1

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

125

ˆ

From 191423, the newspaper was called The Winthrop Weekly TJ flag from News. 2003

years of Winthrop culture

SEE PAGES 5 & 6

ˆTJfromflag1939

ˆ

ˆ

1950s example of TJ flag

The DiGiorgio Campus Center The

see inside for

ultimate

guide

Thursday September 9, 2010

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Issue 3

NEWS

New algorithm shows need for better passwords

DORMS UNPLUGGED

BY DEVANG JOSHI joshid@thejohnsonian.com

Passwords are nice things because they allow nice people (like you and me) to keep our nice things away from bad people. However, as with many computer-driven things, the password is only as good as you, the end user, make it. It’s no surprise that most passwords people use to secure their e-mail, Facebook and even their online banking tend to be simple facts about themselves or horribly lame attempts at making a password in the first place. A password is based in a finite world, which means if someone had the time, he or she could go through every possible combina-

tion and find your password. Passwords, in general, tend to have rules. For example, your password needs to be between eight and 16 characters long and needs at least one number. It’s not difficult to see how it’s possible for the computers out there to mill through the billions of possibilities (and yes a billion is a lot, but it’s still finite so you are not safe) and find the key to your personal information. Also, as computers become faster and faster, the power the everyday “home hacker” has also increases.

See PASSWORDS page 10

A WU Residence Life survey found that less than three percent of residents used the landlines provided in on-campus rooms. Photo illustration by Bryson Baxter • Special to The Johnsonian

Cutting landlines in residence halls saves Winthrop $30K over two-year period BY CLAIRE BYUN byunc@thejohnsonian.com

NEWS

Aid staff reachs out to homeless students at WU BY MONICA KREBER kreberm@thejohnsonian.com

6 freshmen students enrolled at WU this semester identify themselves as “unaccompanied youth” or “at risk of being homeless,” according to financial aid staff.

The Department of Residence Life conducted a survey after fall break last year asking students if they used their landline, set up the voicemail option and owned a cell phone. Cassens said the department asked the resident assistants (RAs) to pass out the survey while checking to see if students even had phone lines in use. According to the survey, only

Out of the 7,137 applications Winthrop has received for the school year, eight applicants have answered as being “unaccompanied youth” or “at risk at being homeless.” Of those eight applicants, six of them are currently enrolled at Winthrop this semester. Homeless students represent less than one percent of Winthrop’s population. Director of Financial Aid Betty Whalen said when students apply to attend Winthrop, they fill out the Free Application for Fed-

See HOMELESS page 2

Similar to many other schools in the state, Winthrop cut the phone landlines in residence halls this May, saving the university about $30,000 in two more years. In the past, students have been able to hook up a landline phone in their residence hall rooms and could receive calls free of

charge. But like many universities, such as Lander, Clemson and USC, Winthrop has removed that ability. “The trend is that more and more schools are pulling out their landlines,” said Cindy Cassens, director of Residence Life.“It’s more cost-effective to take it out.”

28 students out of the 962 surveyed used the landlines. Even less had set up a voicemail, but almost all the students said they possess cell phones. “I never used the landline; I just used my cell phone,” said Julian Thompson, sophomore music education major. Removal of landlines will not save the university any money right now,

See PHONES page 3

SPORTS

Viola, Eagles use strong offense to take down Big South competitors BY CHRIS MCFADDEN mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Coming off a strong 2009 regular season but a somewhat disappointing Big South conference playoff run, the Winthrop volleyball team enters the 2010 season with high expectations. Preseason Big South all-conference team pick Kaley Viola will be one of the team leaders who will

look to push the Eagles to a conference title. Viola, a senior, led the team in points per game and kills per game last year. The team also returns its number three points-per-game leader senior Sara Felts. Although the team lost Conference Player of the Year Kelly Taylor, the Eagles return enough players to help balance the loss of Taylor. “We now have five offensive weap-

ons who will help and five seniors who will be leaders on the team,” coach Sally Polhamus said. The offensive weapons will be one of the many strengths of this team. “Our offense, passing, serving, defense and depth should all be strong points on this team,” Polhamus said. Despite the strengths, there are areas that need work in order for the

See VOLLEYBALL page 15

NEWS

College town:

group’s final plan coming soon

Cherry Road and converting College Town Action Plan downtown Rock Hill into a working group’s final meeting mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com hub of interest and enter- this past summer. A workshop session will be The conversation about tainment for college students were topics discussed at the held on September 27 to alRock Hill and Winthrop improving the college-town atmosphere will continue on At a glance: Winthrop and Rock Hill hired two consultants Sept. 27. in 2009 to formulate a plan for improving the surrounding Ensuring a more pedestriarea’s college town feel. That plan will be presented at an-friendly environment on the group’s final workshop on Sept. 27. BY JONATHAN MCFADDEN

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

I N D E X

CAMPUS NEWS OPINION CULTURE

2-3

4 5-6

low the working group to reconvene after their summer break and present their finalized plan to a joint group of Winthrop University Board of Trustees and the Rock Hill City Council. Sydney Evans, chair of CSL, said the joint meeting was de-

See PLAN page 3

CAMPUS CENTER SPECIAL HEALTH & SCIENCE

7-9 10-11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 12-13 SPORTS

14-15


2 homeless • from front eral Student Aid (FAFSA) to indicate their dependency status. “The typical student reports their income and their parents’ income,” Whalen said. “However, there are some students who don’t have that.” The FAFSA defines the differences between each dependency status: an unaccompanied student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. A self-supporting student pays for

his/her own living expenses, including housing. A homeless student lacks housing; anyone is considered “at risk” of being homeless if he or she is being evicted and has not found another place to live. Whalen said students without a permanent living situation are eligible for additional student loans. “We have to have documentation in order to process (those students) as independent,” she said. “Typically they can

CLAIRE BYUN News Editor THURSDAY byunc@thejohnsonian.com September 9, 2010 JONATHAN MCFADDEN Assistant News Editor mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

get full grants.” Whalen said she was not sure what the national statistics are for homeless college students, she does know the number is under-reported. “I was surprised with how few we had, based on the current economic situation,” she said. Associate Director of Financial Aid Leah Sturgis said the reason some students probably do not apply correctly for financial aid is because they are embar-

rassed. “A lot of students do not want to go public with it,” she said. Whalen said she encourages students to be as honest as they can when they do apply for financial aid so they get the help they need. “I don’t think students know how confidential financial aid information is,” she said. “The only way we can help a student is to know. We encourage them to come in and talk to us.”

Food choices, entertainment, student employment will reform downtown plan • from front cided so the two bodies would not have to approve the plan separately. She said she is optimistic about the outcome. “I don’t foresee many changes from the trustees, only good feedback and encouragement, because they have been kept up to speed throughout this whole process,” Evans said. It will be up to the City Council, Evans said, to evaluate and examine the plan and, if they approve, pass it. If the Council does approve the plan, Winthrop students can expect to see more industries tailored to their likes and needs, including better food choices and a stronger sense of community between college students and the city. Evans said she is anticipating an atmosphere similar to other college towns in the state. “The catch is that cities like Charleston, Columbia and Clemson were not built overnight,” Evans said. Larry Bigham, CEO for the College Town Action Plan, said that while he didn’t want to speculate, if the board and Council approve the plan, implementation of near-term projects can

begin within six to 12 months. One such project includes painting “WU” on Cherry Road’s asphalt and perhaps Eden Terrace’s as well. “People, when they come into Rock Hill, will feel like they are entering a college town,” Bigham said. Developments included in the working group’s plan range from enhancing current sidewalks to adding new ones in an effort to improve pedestrian safety. The group also includes plans to create more bicycling paths on the roads in Rock Hill. Another proposal in the plan is the idea that the Bleachery site be transformed into a multi-usage area that will include a variety of housing types and promote employment for the college town area. William Meyer, director of planning and development for the cty of Rock Hill, said the old Bleachery has been completely torn down as part of a demolition process that began earlier this summer. As of yet, there is no developer for the property.

Far right: Part of the CTAP is to include bike lanes along Cherry Road and make it more pedestrian-friendly. Developers wish to paint a large “WU” symbol on the road next to the school. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com

Above, far left and middle: The Bleachery lays in rubble after demolition crews tore down the old textile mill beginning in June. Broken windows, cracked tile and rusted machinery were left in the build-

CLASSIFIED For Rent: Large One-Bedroom Apartment Great neighborhood 1 mile from campus Fireplace, walk in closet, air, appliances $600 monthly includes rent, utilities, AC/heat, cable TV, wireless internet – everything but phone No pets or smoking

•Call Frank at 803 242 8143•

ing when it closed in 1998. The iconic brick smokestacks remain to remind Rock Hill of its history, as well as to serve as the centerpiece of downtown. Photos by Paul Ricciardi • Special to The Johnsonian

NEED TO SELL SOMETHING OR RENT OUT YOUR EXTRA SPACE? Students, your classified rate starts at just $3 for 25 words and $.70 for every additional 10 words. Local residents, purchase classifieds for only $6 for 25 words and $1.25 for every additional 10 words. Contact our ad staff at adstaff@thejohnsonian.com to place an ad.


3

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

WU Police: security not affected by loss of phones phones• from front but when the maintenance contract is renewed, Winthrop will save about $30,000 a year, said JP McKee, vice president for finance and business. The current contract is valid for two more years. Though the lack of landlines may make students worry about their safety, the text and call alerts sent to cell phones is always available. Of the 6,851 subscribers to the program, 4,344 are students registered for this semester, said James Hammond, associate vice president for information technology. “That’s actually pretty good because that’s about 77 percent of the student

How does WU compare to other state schools?

HABITUAL OFFENDER, DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION, RECEIVE STOLEN GOODS (9/2/10) At 1:26 a.m., a reporting officer observed a gray Ford Escape traveling south on Cherry Road at 49 mph in a 35 mph zone. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Constitution Boulevard. When the officer made contact with the driver, the driver said he had a supsended license. Dispatch confirmed the driver was suspended and a habitual offender. Dispatch told the officer the vehicle’s license plate did not come back to a Ford. Dispatch also said the vehicle’s tag belonged to a Honda and was reported stolen by the Rock Hill Police Department. The driver said he let a friend borrow his vehicle, and his friend said he had registered the vehicle with SCDMV for him. Two officers conducted a tow inventory of the vehicle and had it towed by Interstate Towing. The driver was transported to Rock Hill City Jail; the tag was placed into evidence for recovery and court purposes. Two officers attempted to make contact with the tag’s owner. Winthrop dispatch handled the hit confirmation on the stolen tag while Rock Hill Police Department removed the tag from NCIC as stolen. After an hour in jail, the driver began complaining of hip issues and demanded to go to the hospital. The reporting officer went to the jail to assess the situation and, by the time he arrived, found the driver to be sitting in a wheelchair. The driver then listed all of his medical problems, including a previous broken neck and titanium steel plates in his shoulders. The driver then intentionally turned himself over in the wheelchair, causing him to fall on the jail floor. At this point, he began complaining about his

body,” Hammond said. In his experience, Ken Scoggins, assistant chief of Campus Police, said he had more luck contacting students via their cell phones rather than through landlines. “I don’t see that not having a landline negatively impacts public safety,” Scoggins said. “Mostly everyone has a cell phone or has access to one. The only time a landline would have been available was if the person was right there in the room.” Mention of cutting the landlines was given in a letter sent to students at the end of spring semester, as well as in the roommate assignment letter for this year. The letter states, “Residence hall rooms do not have landline phones. Please bring

Clemson Year cut: 2008 Money saved per year: $1.1 million Number of residence halls: 25

a cell phone that will meet your communication needs.” RAs’ and resident learning coordinators’ (RLC) rooms still have a landline hook up, as well as office phones. Cassens said these phones were left so the university could get in contact with RAs or staff quickly in case of an emergency. A courtesy phone is in the lobby of each residence hall and students can make local calls free of charge. Mckee said there are no plans to get rid of the public phones, but if a large number of students want the landline phones back, Winthrop will put them back. Removing the hook ups might save money in the long run, but graduate student Stephanie Jowers thinks it is a com-

Winthrop Year cut: 2010 Money saved per year: $30,000 Number of residence halls: 7

Police Blotter

knees. Due to his behavior, the officer decided not to transport the driver to the Piedmont Medical Center Emergency Room. EMS was notified and transported the driver to Piedmont; the officer went along as an escort. POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL UNDER 21 (8/21/10) At 2:49 a.m., a reporting officer observed a male student standing in the Alumni Parking Lot at the corner of Eden Terrace and College Avenue with blood on his shirts and shorts. The officer asked the male, who was highly intoxicated, where the blood came from. “What blood?” the man asked. A female standing nearby said it came from the man’s left hand. The officer noticed a small cut on the male’s left hand beside his pinky finger that was bleeding. The officer asked the male if he needed EMS to respond for his hand. The male declined. The reporting officer gathered the man’s information and found he was only 18 years old. The officer asked the male if he had been drinking. The male said he had. The officer then used the Pas-Vr alcohol sensor to confirm that the man had alcohol in his system. The man was placed under arrest and transported to Rock Hill City Jail. CARELESS DRIVING (8/22/10) At 1:10 a.m., a reporting officer was sitting in the alleyway behind the Citgo gas station at the Winthrop Operations Center when the officer noticed a black Suzuki motorcycle turn from the Five Points area of Oakland Avenue onto Cherry Road and go northbound. The motorcycle quickly accelerated. The reporting officer locked onto the motorcycle as going 60 mph as it sped by.

The officer radioed dispatch and tried to catch up to the motorcycle. The officer caught up to the motorcycle at Cherry Road and Myrtle Drive. The officer approached the driver, who turned and said to the officer, “I know I was being stupid.”

modity that should be given to students. “I personally don’t have a landline because they’re so obsolete. But since they’re so cheap to have, I don’t know why they wouldn’t be offered,” Jowers said. If students are concerned about their safety without a landline but still posses a cell phone, Scoggins encourages students to program Campus Police’s number into their speed dial. “Campus Police are available to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” Scoggins said. “Anytime you call us you’re going to get a human on the phone.”

USC Year cut: 2007 Money saved per year: $1.3 million Number of residence halls: 23

subject became very aggitated by looking around for an exit, checking his pants for belongings and stretching. The officer checked him for weapons but found nothing.

PETIT LARCENY, B&E AUTO (8/23/10)

When the officer put the subject’s hands behind his back for investigative detention, the subject resisted and attempted to run. The officer wrapped his arms around the man, and after a brief struggle, both fell to the ground.

A female student reported that someone unknown gained entry into her 2000 tan Lexus SUV sometime between 3:55 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

A second officer arrived and handcuffed the subject, who was taken to Piedmont Medical Center for a bump on his forehead.

The student told the reporting officer her vehicle was illegally parked in the Meadows Lot. The student said she thought she had locked her vehicle.

The subject wanted to be put under suicide watch but was released from the hospital and taken to Rock Hill city jail.

The driver was issued a ticket for careless driving.

Further investigation revealed her vehicle hadn’t been locked. The student said the person who broke into her vehicle took her tan Jansport backpack. Inside of her backpack were: a Toshiba laptop computer, a biostatistics workbook, a jump drive with Winthrop written on it, a mouse with a mouse pad and a bottle of 20 prescription Pentoprozel pills in the student’s name. RESISTING POLICE (9/04/2010) At 8 a.m., a reporting officer was dispatched to the sidewalk of Lee Wicker Hall to investigate an argument between two male subjects. The subjects were arguing over a female student’s cell phone, and one subject claimed to be her boyfriend. Both subjects said they tried to call her the night before, but she did not return her boyfriend’s calls. When the officer asked for identification, one of the male subjects showed an Ohio I.D. card and stated he had never lived in South Carolina. The officer ran a search through Bishopville, S.C. and found the subject did have a valid S.C. license. The male subject said he lied because his grandmother just passed away, and Bishopville brings back bad memories. Once Bishopville was mentioned, the

He is charged with resisiting police and given a tresspassing notice to Winthrop. DAMAGE TO REAL PROPERTY ($1000 or LESS) (9/3/10) At 3:33 p.m., the postal center director approached a reporting officer while he was conducting a walk-through of the DiGiorgio Campus Center. The director reported that a post office mailbox had cosmetic damage; specifically, scratches to the bottom left corner and exposed floor-plate “lip” that extends beyond the door. The officer inspected and photographed the mailbox while the postal center staff members said the student assigned to the box reported she had not been able to open it to retrieve her mail. The staff said the damage occurred between 8 a.m. on Aug. 24 and 3:12 p.m. on Sept. 3. A work request had been submitted at some point for the box’s lock. The door of the box, along with a number of others, cannot be accessed even with the assigned combination. The officer spoke with the student by telephone on Sept.3, but she had gone home for the weekend. She said she had not been able to open her post office box since it was assigned to her.

Interested in

The Johnsonian? Come to our meetings! Sundays at 8 p.m. DiGiorgio Campus Center Rm 104


4

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

CONNOR DE BRULER Opinion Editor debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com

OUR SAY

Make the next 125 years Editor speaks out against all as historic as the last

administrations

Leaving a legacy means more than brick and mortar Ushering in Winthrop’s 125th year in true WU style, the campus has become acquainted with its newest building, the Anthony and Gale DiGiorgio Campus Center. Names in brick and mortar may be one way to leave your mark on campus, but we hope all Winthrop community members-students, faculty and staff-will use this special anniversary to reflect on what leaving a legacy really means. Many people in this university’s history have made insightful changes, challenged the status quo and helped others realize their academic goals and life aspirations. Students such as Cynthia Plair Roddey, the first African-American graduate student at Winthrop, Arnetta Gladden Mackey and Delores Johnson Hurt, the first two African-American undergraduate students to enroll, exemplify what it means to overcome adversity. Past administrators have been known for leading Winthrop down new roads. President James P. Kinard helped sustain the young school during the Depression. President Philip Lader initiated cultural event credits on campus in the early 1980s. Student-athletes have left their mark on and off the competition field since the early days at Winthrop. Lucile Godbold, class of 1922, carried the U.S. flag on the International Team Tour (now known as the Olympics). She became the first woman to be inducted into South Carolina’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Today, Winthrop is well-known for a basketball team that consistently dominates the Big South, attracting players from around the world and ensuring that athletes succeed in the classroom. But you don’t have to be a record breaker or the first to do something in order to make a difference at Winthrop. In fact, leaving a legacy is not as much about people remembering your name as it is people remembering how you helped or how you made them feel. You may never meet the students who occasionally play their guitars on the steps of Byrnes Auditorium but you may one day fondly remember bouncing your head to their music on the way from the cafeteria to class. You may not specifically remember the acts DSU brings to campus each Welcome Week but you may think back on your first days at Winthrop when you send your own kids to college. Leaving a legacy is as easy as spreading a good atti-

Illustration by Joy Brown • Special to The Johnsonian tude around campus by smiling at the person you step onto the elevator with. Making your mark just means doing something outside yourself, for someone other than yourself. Winthrop is lucky to have hard-working professors and support staff, creative students and prudent administrators. If we all apply ourselves, we can be part of making Winthrop’s next 125 years just as historic as the last 125.

“”

Leaving a legacy is not as much about people remembering your name as it is people remembering how you helped or how you made them feel.

Feminism not defined as man bashing I am a feminist. To some, feminism is a dirty word. Defining it is much more difficult than determining what it doesn’t mean. It isn’t man bashing. Many men are not given the credit they deserve and are negatively grouped together. I would like to thank those gentlemen who make the world a better place when they act with thought and respect. Feminism is not burning your bra in protest. Personally, I’m glad for the extra support Feminism is not tattooing “I hate men” to your forehead or blaming males for every trouble humanity faces. Ladies, give the men a break and acknowledge that there are

the workplace. some really Even at Wingreat guys out throp, we do not there. meet expectations. Women In Winthrop’s are, in many 125 years, there has cases, just as been one woman responsible. president, even If for no other Sydney Evans when the univerreason, we sity was an all-female have refused Guest Columnist institution. to stand up to Of the five vice presinjustice. idents, one is a woman. Feminism, although Even the Council of several different schools Student Leaders, whose of thought exist, is a constituency is 70 percent philosophy that women’s female, has had only two freedom and equality of women serve as chair opportunity should exsince its inception in tend to all spheres of life. 2001. Despite the 19th Winthrop does, howAmendment, affirmaever, redeem itself once tive action and women’s you look at the deans of educational achievement, women are still fallthe five colleges and the ing behind and are not heads of other departexercising full potential ments. neither politically nor in Ladies and gentlemen,

Editor ANNA DOUGLAS

Arts & entertainment editor JESSICA PICKENS

Managing editor TIFFANY BARKLEY

Assistant arts & entertainment editor ALISON ANGEL

News editor CLAIRE BYUN Assistant news editor JONATHAN MCFADDEN Opinion editor CONNOR DE BRULER Culture editor ALEXIS AUSTIN Health & science editor AMANDA PHIPPS

Sports editor CHRIS McFADDEN Graphic Designer COURTNEY NISKALA Copy editors BRITTANY GUILFOYLE BRANTLEY MCCANTS Ad designer SAMANTHA FURTICK

Photographers KATHLEEN BROWN STEPHANIE EATON Multimedia editors SHATESHA SCALES KAYLEE NICHOLS Webmaster DEVANG JOSHI Advertising manager KERRY SHERIN Ad sales team SARAH MACDONALD DEBRA SETH WILLIAM NORTON GEORGE WILMORE Faculty adviser LARRY TIMBS

only we can remedy the circumstances. The reasons for the disparity in women’s achievement are our own psychological and gender role blockades. Some men and women cannot visualize or accept women in leadership positions. When we can, they are labeled as “too aggressive”, “not feminine” or “bitch.” I challenge all who read this article to learn more about the “F” word (feminism) and to work together for the equality and development of each gender by breaking down gender stereotypes and embracing the changing role for women in society.

The future of the youth is determined by wealthy old men who will only live another 20 years. It’s wrong. Our tuition has increased by Connor de Bruler 4.9 percent this semester. Winthrop is lucky debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com to have only a single-digit increase as opposed to other academic institutions in the state that are asking students to pay much higher amounts. Universities are meant to be sanctuaries for personal growth, intellectualism and advanced disciplines. Universities have become either job-prep slaughterhouses or all-out degree mills. I have several friends who could not attend this year because of financial reasons. It makes me guilty for being so fortunate. It also makes me angry. I have many friends who work diligently to meet their scholarship requirements and friends who have no choice but to choose between massive art projects and a reasonable amount of sleep. I don’t think these indignities can be described as a baptism of fire. They are more like preparation for a similar reality we must face for the rest of our lives. It is difficult not to become filled with rage and indignation at least once. There is only one thing to do to fix the current financial crisis of universities. We must get rid of the administration. They don’t do anything useful in my opinion. The administration is a crooked middleman between the student and the education. Sure, certain measures will always need to be taken to regulate the academics. But we don’t need a high paid room of elderly, out-of-touch individuals dreaming up more superfluous amenities designed to extort even more money from honest, hard-working students. We don’t even need dormitories or fancy buildings peculiarly named after racist old white men. We could meet our professors in vacant fields and share our textbooks. Classes could be held in the woods near creeks, at skating rinks or even on professors’ front porches. Before each semester, we could pay the professors directly. The current system in which people are taught and schools are based upon in America and around the world is a dying system: a failure. We should adopt a method that actually encourages curiosity and understanding beyond the hollow rhetoric of an ACAD classroom. The Montessori or Waldorf method are good places to start. Live. Learn. Lead. Stress. Exclusion. Indignation. I’m not calling for any kind of commie or socialist upheaval. I’m simply suggesting a solution to a problem that’s causing all of us great grief. It’s time we did something about the administration - those who have monopolized our futures.

“”

We must get rid of the administration.

About The Johnsonian The Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University. It is published during fall and spring semesters with the exception of university holidays and exam periods. CONTACT INFORMATION Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Phone: (803) 323-3419 E-mail: editors@thejohnsonian. com Online: mytjnow.com LETTER POLICY Letters and feedback can be sent to editors@thejohnsonian.com or

by mail at The Johnsonian, 104 Campus Center, Rock Hill, S.C., 29733. Comments submitted online at www.mytjnow.com may be printed as letters and may be shortened for space and edited for clarity. Please include your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are a professor; or your name and

profession if you are a member of the community. Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian staff. CORRECTIONS Contact us if you find an error in an issue of the newspaper. We will correct it in the next issue.


5

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

ALEXIS AUSTIN Culture Editor austina@thejohnsonian.com

A picture’s worth 125 years

Winthrop’s humble beginnings pave way to greatness In celebration of Winthrop’s 125th anniversary, The Johnsonian reflects on what has made the university so unique and rich in history.

Past and present photos of various buildings on campus. Above: Bancroft Hall. Originally called Johnson Hall, the building housed civilian men of the Army Air Corps pilot training program in 1942. Left: The Artesian Well next to Tillman. At one point in WU history students would use the well to get water.

Bottom left: The Stewart House. Seniors learned how to cook, serve and clean in the house. Bottom right: Tillman Hall. Tillman was originally called the Main Building and was renamed Tillman Administration Hall after South Carolina Govenor and Senator Benjamin Tillman. Photos by Linda Walrod and Andy Johnston • Dacus Library Archives


6

My, oh, my how the rules change By Alexis Austin

austina@thejohnsonian.com

In 1971, a self-regulated or co-ed residence hall at Winthrop didn’t exist. There wasn’t even a male student in sight. Gale Teaster remembers this all too well. As an associate professor and head of serials, acquisitions and cataloging in Dacus Library, Teaster looks back on her days at Winthrop as a student. “I came as an undergraduate student on a scholarship from a small town,” she said. “There were a little more than 2,000 students in 1971. There were more students at the school than people were in my hometown.” The atmosphere at the college has changed significantly, though. “The rules have changed,” she said. “There was plenty of time spent trying to get around the rules.” Instead of resident assistants, students had house mothers. These were typically older women who lived in the residence halls and kept up with students. “Some of the women who were house mothers would have died on the spot if Winthrop had co-ed dorms during that time,” Teaster said. During her time at Winthrop, students had to sign in and out of residence halls. “Even if we were going to the library, we had to sign in and out,” she said. “Most of the time we would say we were going somewhere on campus, go somewhere else and pray we didn’t get caught.” Students had curfews and were penalized for being late. In 1971, the legal drinking age was 18, but by the time Teaster graduated, it changed

to 21. “There was a rule that we could not drink within a certain number of miles of campus,” she said. “There was a bar called The Barn we often went to because it was far enough from campus.” During this time, parking on campus was not an issue either. “Students could not drive their freshman year, and there were not a lot of commuting students either,” Teaster said. “If we were trying to get home, we caught rides with people who were from our hometown or nearby.” In 1974, Winthrop became a co-educational institution. All men living on campus were housed in Bancroft annex. “I wasn’t really sure at first whether it was a good idea or not,” Teaster said. She said one of the reasons she chose Winthrop is because it was an all-girls’ school. Eventually, Teaster decided it was a good move for the college. “It was a state school, and I didn’t think a state school should be single-sex. It should cater to everyone,” she said. Teaster went on to complete undergraduate and graduate school at Winthrop and has worked for the university for more than 30 years. While the rules have changed, she said she hopes that due to the rapid changes in technology, the university doesn’t lose the strong relationship it has built between teachers and students. “There will be more computerization in how we offer courses, but I hope we don’t lose that personal touch between teachers and students,” Teaster said. “I don’t want Winthrop to become a Phoenix University.”

University continues to uphold founders’ mission By Alexis Austin

austina@thejohnsonian.com

The spirit of Winthrop runs strong through his veins. A third-generation graduate of the university, Edward Lee, has seen the campus blossom. Lee has been a history professor at Winthrop for more than 20 years. In his time here, Lee said he has seen many people and buildings come and go. “There has been explosive growth in the development of the campus,” he said. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen them put up the Courtyard, West Center, Owens and now the DiGiorgio Campus Center.” He also said there has been explosive growth in making the university known internationally, and the campus is now more diverse than ever. “We are now a campus with many international students and a campus that sends students around the world,” Lee said. “The student body is more diverse, integrated, co-ed and has an international flavor.” However, Lee said one thing that has not changed is that Winthrop has stayed

true to its original mission. “Winthrop’s original mission was to provide students with a first-class education,” he said. “It did that in 1886 when it opened its doors, 1896 when my grandmother came, 1932 when my mother came and in 2010 that’s still our mission.” Recently, Lee gave a speech at Winthrop’s annual convocation ceremony. He was selected to give the speech based on his knowledge as a historian. The speech reinforces the vision of the university’s founder, David Bancroft Johnson, and the first professor, Mary Hall Leonard. “They don’t get mentioned much,” Lee said. “It’s Winthrop’s 125th year, and I think we needed to go back 125 years.” In his speech, Lee said anything was possible when the school opened in 1886. In the next century, one would see the institution’s campus grow, the faculty expand and the student body become more diverse. Just as it has grown tremendously in the last 125 years, Lee doesn’t think Winthrop will stop growing.

“We need to be able to stay abreast with modern technology,” he said. “Being good is not good enough. We need to be excellent, which we are and need to continue to be.” As for the founder and first professor, Lee said he thinks they would be pleased if they could see what the university is like today. “I think both would be pleased with what they see because they know the change is inevitable,” he said. “We are changing the way we teach and who we teach.”

“”

Being good is not good enough. We need to be excellent, which we are and need to continue to be. Dr. Edward Lee

History professor

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

ALEXIS AUSTIN Culture Editor austina@thejohnsonian.com

Milestones in Winthrop’s history

1886

Classes begin at Winthrop Training School in Columbia. Mary Hall Leonard is the university’s first professor.

1888

The first student group, Winthrop Literary Society, is organized.

1893

The school’s name is changed to Winthrop Normal and Industrial College of South Carolina.

1895

Winthrop is moved to Rock Hill and becomes a four-year institution.

1915

The college’s first newspaper, Winthrop Weekly News is published. Peabody gymnasium is built.

1925

Winthrop becomes the second largest women’s college in the nation.

1964

The first African-American student, Cynthia P. Roddey, enrolls at Winthrop.

1980

First men’s basketball game.

1989

Anthony DiGiorgio is named president.

1999

The basketball team makes it to the NCAA tournament for the first time.

2007

Owens Hall and the Lois Rhame West Center are completed.

2010

The Anthony J. and Gale N. DiGiorgio Campus Center is completed.

Source: Louis Pettus Archives & Special Collections. Dacus Library, Winthrop University


presents

The DiGiorgio Campus Center The

ultimate

guide

Graphic by Courtney Niskala • niskalac@thejohnsonian.com

INSIDE:

Learn more about WiNthrop’s newest addition to campus


8

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

The

ultimate

guide to the DIGS. At a glance...

by Co u Gr ap h

ics

Zac Craig, freshman marketing major, shoots pool on the first floor of the campus center. Photo by Paul Ricciaridi • Special to The Johnsonian

r tn ey N

isk

ala •

nis kal ac@

the

joh

nso

nia

n.c om

Namesake: President Anthony DiGiorgio and first lady Gale DiGiorgio Nickname: The DIGS Square feet: 128,229 Comparative size: Third largest building just behind the West Center and the Coliseum Yards of concrete: 6,000 Bricks: 260,000 Theater: Seats 224 people

Winthrop’s own design star Thirty seconds with Manning Gibson

Photo contributed by Manning Gibson

Winthrop’s Vice President for Facilities Design and Development, Manning Gibson, steered the creative aspects of the new campus center. The Johnsonian’s Jonathan McFadden caught up with Gibson this week. Birthday: May 26 Hometown: Washington, Ind. Educational/professional background: Undergraduate degree from Winthrop University in consumer science, with an emphasis on commercial and textile design; a stint at Parson’s Design Institute in New York, N.Y. Other projects completed at Winthrop: The Stone House, which earned him a Historic Preservation Award, Owens Hall, West Center, Carroll Hall, Dalton Hall

Favorite song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross Favorite movie: “The Lake House” Favorite book: “The DaVinci Code” Favorite color: Green Proudest accomplishments: “Raising my five adopted sons.” Lifelong dream: “When I slow down at Winthrop University, I plan on visiting the pyramids in Egypt.” Travel abroad: “All over the U.S., I’m a big island person. I’ve been to most of the Southern Islands.” If you were stuck in a traffic jam, who would you want to be in the car with you: “My brother, he’s the entertainer in the family.” Manning’s philosophy on design: “I want to help educate with an ‘awe’ factor.”


9

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

Center merges tradition, new ‘flair’ Campus center embodies ‘education by design’

By Claire Byun byunc@thejohnsonian.com

While the newness of the DiGiorgio Campus Center will slowly wane, its architecture and connection to Winthrop’s history will persist. Built to work in tandem with the Lois Rhame West Center, the “DIGS” incorporates the Neo-Georgian style of older buildings on campus, as well as a more modern style. “We always want to build buildings that honor our campus architecture, yet bring a more contemporary flair that will be appealing to students and endure into future generations,” said Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management. The overall project took nine years, and the university began looking to upgrade Dinkins in 2001. However, developers learned the building could not be modified to fit future students’ needs, and Oakland Road traffic would create a barrier for student interaction. “Around 2003 is when we started

The

looking at creating a new heart of campus, central to Winthrop’s westward growth, and the idea of a totally new campus center seemed like a much better way to go,” Hardin said. Student leaders were taken on tours to other collegiate student centers, and talks between student life and staff solidified details about what students needed, wanted and

“”

Around 2003 is when we started looking at creating a new heart of campus... Walter Hardin

Associate vice president for facilities management

what the new building should hold. Inspiration for the center came from DiGiorgio’s vision for Winthrop’s development, which he calls “education by design.” Both the West Center and the DIGS contain pieces of the old Peabody Gymnasium, which was torn down to construct the new buildings. The medallions on the Campus Center’s side are recycled from Peabody, and the new gym’s lobby flooring was originally housed in the old gym. To keep the DIGS presentable, Hardin asks students to refrain from using scotch tape on the walls. Though no secret passages exist in the Campus Center, a strange baby boom happened during construction. Four of the project managers had babies during that time, Hardin said. “It was like the babies all wanted to be born at once so they could grow up fast and be able to use the DIGS,” he said.

heart

of campus

Above: Muhiyidin Moye (left) a liberal arts major and Sherman Marshall play Jimbay’s. They hope to encourage a full drum circle in the common area because they say the acoustics are very good. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com Left: Winthrop held an open house for the center on Aug. 27. A formal dedication ceremony will be Sept. 23-24. Below: Danielle Filuminia, freshman business major, and Marie Smith, freshman special education major, enjoy nice weather in the Community Concourse. Photos by Paul Ricciaridi • Special to The Johnsonian

Graphics by Mika Parajon • Special to The Johnsonian


10

Upcoming Events

AMANDA PHIPPS Health & Science Editor phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

Students’ passwords may need to be more unique

Anthropology Brown Bag Lecture Series Where: Kinard Auditiorium When: September 9 Time: 2 - 3 p.m. • Lectures on current research in anthropology and archaeology by visiting professionals and professors. •Free Cultural event

HIV/AIDS Awareness Where: Steps of Byrnes auditiorium When: September 14 Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • HIV/AIDS awareness bags will be handed out to the community.

Safety week: Fire and Drunk Driving Where: President’s Circle (side closest to Richardson and Wofford)

When: September 16 Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • Students will be able to participate in making ‘mocktails’ and a drunk driving course. • Rock Hill Fire Department will provide a smoke trailer and other educational information about fire safety.

PASSWORDS• from front Recently, researchers used pairs of graphics cards to break eight-character passwords in about two hours. Not impressed? Well, let’s think about it. In the English language, we have 26 letters and 10 unique numbers. So, an eight-digit character password using 26 letters multiplied by two, which accounts for upper and lowercase, plus 10 numbers is 62 possible characters. I am not counting all the crazy symbols you can put in your password. Back to the math (the reason why you’re reading), with 62 possible characters and

eight-character long passwords, we have 8,361,453,672 possibilities. Let that soak in for all those who think you are safe in the world of billions of possibilities. That’s eight billion plus possibilities researchers cracked with graphics cards. Add to that the fact that your everyday password is not something you grabbed from a random password generator (and if it is, I apologize - you are a real trooper) and we are all kind of screwed. Luckily, simple ways exist to keep your password safe.

“”

Devang Joshi is a senior computer science major and started as the webmaster for The Johnsonian this April. He writes a technolgy blog titled “Devang’s Tech” and teaches computer science 101 labs A, B, and C.

That’s eight billion plus possibilities researchers cracked with graphics cards.

Keep your password safe: •

Use a longer password with both numbers and letters. Security experts now say a password about 10-12 digits long is a good length. You can maximize the security by using upper and lowercase characters. •

Make your password something unique, something only you would know. Don’t worry if you are madly in love and your soulmate knows everything about you, you’re wrong. They don’t know everything so don’t be lazy. • Make your password hints unique. Many websites allow you to recover your password by answering security questions. Making these questions difficult makes it difficult for people to crack them.

Never give your password to anyone. Many people fall into this trap. If someone from Facebook e-mails you asking for your password to perform site maintenance, don’t buy into it. Facebook, Winthrop and Bank of America do not need your password to access your account or perform maintenance. •

Don’t save passwords on your computer, on a piece of paper or in your wallet. Your mind is the best place to keep your password, because it’s hard to lose your brain, right? If you’re worried about the government kidnapping you to get access to your Flicker account, well, you have bigger problems.

Clarification: Last week, The Johnsonian ran a graphic on this page that stated DSU provided 80 percent of the funding for wellness events when Nichole Scaglione was employed as wellness coordinator at Winthrop.

We would like to clarify that Scaglione held 53 events last year without financial help from DSU. DSU partnered with Scaglione on four events and provided 80 percent of the funding for those four events.


11

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

Students use social networking to find roomates By Chelsea Brown Special to The Johnsonian

Facebook is a growing social network many students on the Winthrop University campus use to connect with people from different countries, states and cities. The technology of Facebook is strengthening the closeness and availability of Winthrop services and offices, with Facebook groups for the Department of Residence Life, as well as the Office of Admissions. The “Winthrop University Class of 2014” Facebook group page allowed many of the entering freshmen to meet other incoming freshmen. “The Facebook group allowed us to become closer with our roommate and connect well before move-in day,” said Cora Caldwell, freshman political science major. Social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and even video services Skype and ooVoo, a site that offers audio and video instant messaging, have also allowed students to meet people who they would normally not be able to meet in person due to long distances. It seems that people want to be able to “see” what their roommates are like before move-in day. Lustra Miller, freshman dance performance major, agrees with the use of Facebook to find roommates. “Everyone has their information on Facebook, and what you put on Facebook can say a lot about who you are,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t want to be a roommate

Find others in your class on Facebook with someone who had a bad representation on Facebook.” Being able to see potential roommates’ likes, dislikes, pictures, and descriptions of themselves made searching for roommates feel more secure, Miller said. “I ask more personal questions, and the roommate survey questions were too general,” she said. “I wanted to know more about her personality, music and movie tastes.” Of the 1,145 new students who applied to Winthrop and for on-campus housing,

47 percent of the students have requested roommates, said director of Residence Life Cynthia Cassens. The lifestyles indicator portion of the Winthrop roommate survey given to new students allows them to answer general questions about sleeping, social, cleaning and study habits. “When the computer system is matching roommates, the first thing the system does is look for the people who requested roommates,” Cassens said. “After that, for those who turned in a roommate sur-

vey, the computer matches the students based on smoking or non-smoking preferences. Then, the computer does its best to match roommates based on the answers given on the survey.” But even Cassens knows the reality of rooming situations. “Room changes vary from people who have requested roommates to those who filled out a survey,” she said. “At the same time, some people have found lifelong friends through the use of our survey.”

Why is science important?

“”

“”

Mesgun Sebhatu

“”

Professor of chemistry, physics and geology

Science is very important for the scientist as well as the general public. Science’s main purpose is advancing knowledge that helps explain a plethora of natural phenomena. Science is also the foundation for all the technology we use in our everyday lives.

Science affects all aspects of our daily lives and it is important to learn about science so that we can better understand the connections between science and life.

I think science is important because... science can be used as a key to solve any problems in our everyday lives. It can cover a variety of different questions in various fields. Science has enhanced us to live better. Kunsiri Grubbs

Assistant professor of biology

Kate Rishebarger

“”

Sophomore science communication major

Kathie Snyder

Associate professor of chemistry, physics and geology

Science is a way to understand the natural world. Personally, I like it because I’m a very curious individual and through science I can feed my curiosity and learn about nature. Photos courtesy of Mesgun Sebhatu and Kate Rishebarger


12

From paper to screen: By Jessica Pickens

pickensj@thejohnsonian.com

is because the community is now under water. It also is a theme with the characters in the book. People are mysterious.” Manuel wrote a screenplay based off the book but wants to get the book re-published, Timbs said.

THURSDAY September 2, 2010

JESSICA PICKENS Arts & Entertainment Editor pickensj@thejohnsonian.com ALISON ANGEL Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor angela@thejohnsonian.com

Professor rewrites book in hopes to make movie

Love, murder and deception. That is what mass communication professor Larry Timbs immersed himself in this summer. Larry Timbs Mass With the help of writer Fact vs. fiction communication Michael Manuel, Timbs This summer, Timbs worked on professor re-worked a book his father the book about 50 days in a row, self-published in 1980 called starting May 15 and finishing 28 “Tragedy at Old Fish Springs.” chapters in late July. “When the manuscript was handed to After working as a journalist for 30 me, it was bare bones,” Timbs said. “I years, he had to adjust to fiction writing. put flesh on the bones.” “I had never written fiction before. I had never created dialogue before-I just Books to movies report it,” Timbs said. “It was liberating Manuel came across the novel, which from journalism, and everything I had Lawrence Timbs, Sr. wrote. He brought ever done as a journalist helped.” the book to Timbs to rewrite it for publiHe met the challenge of having to cation. write about the Civil War era. Eventually, Manuel hopes to make “I had to become a student of the Civil the book into a movie with the help of War era and use their resources. I have screenwriter Belle Avery. never been a historian,” Timbs said. The book, renamed “Below the Sur“The Internet was very helpful.” Mass communication professor, Lawrence Timbs, with his father Lawrence face: Voices From the Grave at Fish Timbs talked to “old timers” in the Springs, T.N.,” is historical fiction and is community and used the slave narratives Timbs, Sr. The WU professor helped rewrite a book his father published in 1980. Photo courtesy of Larry Timbs. based on a community now under TVA recorded in the 1930s. Lake in Tennessee. The storyline takes place during and Waiting game write a book, but it takes a genius to get “He is not easily pleased with writing,” after the Civil War and is a love story Now that the book is finished, all it published’,” Timbs said. Timbs said. “I didn’t do it for the money mixed with murder, Timbs said. Timbs and Manuel can do is wait until Timbs’ 89-year-old father was happy I did it mainly for my dad.” “I had forgotten about the book until they get it published. with the rewriting of his book and it was brought to me,” Timbs said. “My dad always said, ‘Any dummy can thought it was better. “The ‘below the surface’ part of the title

Studio honors WU department chair By Alison Angel angela@thejohnsonian.com

The “Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond” exhibition opened Sept. 6. Lewandowski was the arts and design department chair from 1973 to 1984. The gallery will be open until Dec. 6, and gallery talks will be on Oct. 21, and Nov. 19. Photos by Claire Van Ostenbridge • Special to the Johnsonian.

Upcoming gallery events • October 21: Tony Rajer, art restorer of Lewandowski’s work and instructor at University of Wisconson-Madison, will speak at 8 p.m. in Rutledge 119. Rajer is also giving a three-day workshop, “The Business of Art Workshop,” starting Oct. 22 to Oct. 24. The cost for three days is $50 with a student I.D. and $125 without. • November 18: Original curator of the Edmund Lewandowski Gallery, Valerie Leeds, will speak at 8 p.m. in the Rutledge Gallery. Leeds will discuss Lewandowski’s career.

When they were young Some of you might remember the “Winthrop as a Movie” feature from last year. This year your Arts and Entertainment editors have started a new feature where students can see what their professors looked like during their college days.

Want to give your co-workers a good laugh? Want to see what your professors looked like when they were younger? Send us professor ideas or your college photos to pickensj@thejohnsonian. com

Beginning Sept. 6, Winthrop University will host the Flint Institute of Art’s traveling exhibit honoring the life’s work of artist Edmund Lewandowski. Lewandowski was a former Winthrop chair of the department of arts and design from 1973 to 1984 and created artworks throughout the 1930s and 1940s in a wide variety of mediums. His work has been displayed in museums all over the world, and he taught at Winthrop University until his death in 1998. The exhibit, entitled “Edmund Lewandowski: Precisionism and Beyond,” will focus on works of art from the entirety of Lewandowki’s career. Lewandowski was most known for his skills as a muralist. He also holds the record for working on both the largest and smallest works of art in the United States, according to the Wisconsin art archives. His largest piece of work is the Milwaukee War Memorial Center, a mosaic that is larger than 18,000 square feet. After studying at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and after years of being an art educator, he came to Winthrop. “His wife and himself donated objects (to the university) they had owned and some of his work over the years, so we had a very strong connection to them,”

said Karen Derksen, assistant gallery director. “It seemed very appropriate that we would be one of the stops on the traveling exhibition.” The exhibit is especially notable because the gallery is honoring his life’s work during Winthrop’s 125 year anniversary, she said. Derksen hopes students will take away a greater understanding of both the time period in which Lewandowski created his art and the work itself. She also hopes visitors better understand Winthrop’s history as it relates to the fine arts. “Being able to get this exhibition here is a wonderful thing for Winthrop,” Derksen said. “I hope people take the opportunity to come.” Winthrop is the first stop on a threecity tour for the exhibition. The Lewandowski exhibition will last until Dec. 9, before moving on to the next city to be displayed. Throughout the exhibition, there will also be a number of programs offered that focus on Lewandowski’s work and career. Tony Rajer, the art conservator who worked on restoring Lewandowski’s art, will come to the gallery Oct. 21. The original curator of the Lewandowski Gallery, Valerie Ann Leeds, will also host a program on Nov. 18 to discuss his career. Both events will be cultural events.


13

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

Writer flexes radio muscles with show I’m a journalism major not In a story written for The Johnbecause I wanted to be the sonian, someone might pick up a next Oprah, Wolfman Jack or week-old paper and still read my Diane Sawyer, I just want to story. That story has been edited, write and stay anonymous. meticulously written and worded America shouldn’t have to to perfection. suffer seeing my face on TV On a radio show, I might give every morning while they are the wrong information about when trying to enjoy their morning Jessica Pickens a movie came out or completely coffee or hear me stammering butcher a name and there is no way Arts and to pronounce things on the Entertainment to take it back. If no one is listenradio. ing, then no one will ever hear the editor So, it is mildly surprising broadcast. that I decided to take up a After my initial nervousness passed, I radio show on WINR this semester. had a ball. A couple reasons led me to apply: Having the chance to talk about my 1. I love classic movies and wanted to classic film love without having people share that love with the world. argue with me or look at me as if they 2. I’m trying to make sure I know a are completely bored was a magical little bit about every media outlet. experience. 3. Maybe Robert Osborn, TCM primeNot only was talking about actors time host, will hear me and invite and plots wonderful, but I was able to me over for lunch. explore ideas I had always been interMy radio show is based off my blog ested in, such as why Latin culture was “Comet Over Hollywood,” which disso huge in the 1940s. cusses old movies and even gives classic Whenever I talked about something, I movie star beauty advice. knew people were listening, and that was The blog gained surprising success an exciting feeling. The great thing about over the summer, and I decided to make radio is it allows the audience to give a corresponding radio show. instant feedback. The show “Radio Waves Over HollyIf people disagree with me, all they wood” allows some of my blog followers have to do is pick up the phone and let to be interactive with comments and me know. phone calls every Thursday from 6 p.m. With the radio show, my audience has instant access to me. It’s as if we are to 8 p.m. having a conversation together. After I For someone who is mainly used to finished my show on Thursday, my mom writing, radio is a strange animal. called me and said, “It felt like you were My hands were shaking and my stomright here in the kitchen eating dinner ach flip flopped as I sat down in front of with us.” the large microphone and put on headI might have been afraid of radio at phones in the little room up in Johnson first, but I think I’m starting to like it. Hall. Sure, I might stumble over some words I wasn’t sure who was listening other or rant for a few too many minutes, than my mother. One person or 30 peobut in the end it’s a fun way to express ple could be listening along to my classic myself. film evaluation and “Marcas, Marimbas I hope some of you readers become and Mambos: Latin Classics from MGM callers or guests on my radio show or Films” CD. any of the other great WINR shows this It’s intimidating to not know who your semester. audience is or if they even care what you Maybe in the future I’ll get to hear your voice on air too. are talking about.

Upcoming movies: • Saturday, Sept. 11: “Get Him to the Greek”- Russell Brand harasses intern, Jonah Hill. • Wednesday, Sept. 15: “Good Hair”- Chris Rock comically talks about African-American hair.

CROSSWURD PUZZLE

Across

5. Former art and design department chair from 1973 to 1984. (last name) 7. What was the legal drinking age in 1971? 8. This social networking site helps students find roommates. 9. What property is Winthrop wanting to build housing on? 10. Last name of The Johnsonian’s editor-in-chief.

Down

1. What on-campus budget cut is going to save $30,000? 2. Who did residence halls have in 1971 instead of RAs? (two words) 3. How many applicants qualify as “at risk of being homeless?” 4. Last name of the director of financial aid. 6. The name of Winthrop’s radio station.

Art in motion

Sara Scherini, sophomore fine arts major, washes off body paint that made up part of her character in her performance, “The Spider’s Web.” A group of art majors participated in a performance piece off-campus. A performance piece is literally a form of theatrical art featuring the activity of the artist and works presented in a variety of media. “The Web” was their first performance and it attracted about 20 audience members. They hope to continue showing performance art throughout the school year. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com


14

THURSDAY September 9, 2010

CHRIS McFADDEN Sports Editor mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Men’s soccer enters make-or-break season

The Eagles’ preseason matchup with nonconference foe Elon boosted confidence with a 1-1 draw. Winthrop hopes to live up to their preseason expectations as well as their impressive history despite a depleted 2010 squad. Photos by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com

Coach admits ‘rebuilding year’ despite equal playing field in Big South conference By David Thackham

Special to The Johnsonian

Soccer coach Richard Posipanko refuses to be worried. While some might be worrying about the Eagles’ poor preseason

performance of two losses and a draw, Posipanko remains steadfast at the helm. He says he is “never concerned with winning or losing,” only that he gets new players in action to see what combinations of people work at kickoff.

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that this season. In previous years, Winthrop could look forward to a group of experienced seniors and a deep roster to lead the Eagles far into the Big South playoffs.

For 2010, Posipanko has neither. “We don’t have the depth we had last year,” Posipanko said, “but it counts where you’re at in the end of the year; we want to play our best in November.” It would be easy for Winthrop to lose sight of this year by holding on too tight to the memories of last season. Over the summer, the championship-holding Eagles lost five starters, including influential forward Matthew Skonicki and USLbound midfielder Stephen Nsereko. “You can’t replace the guys we lost with freshmen,” Posipanko said. “It takes years to build them up to win championships and we [have been] very fortunate in the past to do what we’ve done.” Winthrop has had the leading scorer or coleader in the conference since 2002. This year, the squad doesn’t have anyone that looks likely to step up immediately on offense. It all comes down to age. With nine freshmen and 10 sophomores making up the bulk of the team, Posipanko has inherited the second youngest collection of players in his 22-year stint with the Eagles. “They’re all little puppies trying to find their way,” Posipanko said. “At

this point, they’re worried about how much playing time they’ll get, where they’ll get it and school is a still a big part of them.” Posipanko rejects the notion that his young Eagles might be dismayed by the early poor results. “It’s not a big factor to them,” he said last Friday. “They’re going to realize how important each game is.” Those puppies will need to grow up rather quickly, as the season is now in full swing, and the Eagles’ schedule doesn’t look friendly. Between the short span of Sept. 10 through15, Winthrop plays three away matches against brutal non-conference opposition including Long Island University and UNC-Wilmington. Posipanko concedes that it’s “a challenge” for the new players and that it’s hard to get into a routine by playing even two games a week. It’s even more of a challenge if some of your team is getting bruised from the start. Freshmen Tinotenda Chibharo and Nick Kowalski are expected to be out for several weeks with leg complications while backup goalkeeper Tom Banfield was injured in a practice session and will be out for the season. But if the Eagles have such a long road ahead, what about Winthrop being ranked in TopDraw-

erSoccer.com’s Nationwide Top 48 teams of the season? More importantly, what about those Big South preseason rankings with Winthrop picked to finish as high as second? “I thought we would be 5th,” the coach said. “But if [the team] buy[s] into the fact that we’re improving every game and works hard, we have the talent to do it.” One thing that’s on Winthrop’s side this year is the level playing field the Big South has this season. “I don’t think there are any very good teams left,” Posipanko said. “There are five teams that could win [the Big South Conference].” Whether that works in the Eagles’ favor or not, they still have to power through their own conference schedule, which offers up 4th-ranked Liberty and 8th-ranked Presbyterian College as warm ups before the most anticipated fixture of the season: a home game with the number one High Point Panthers. Depending on the outcome, Winthrop’s postseason hopes could be sealed or broken on October 6th, which will leave Coach Posipanko concentrated on building his team as quickly as possible, despite the age gap.

Our bad Correction: Last week’s photo that accompanied the women’s soccer season preview was taken by staff photographer Stephanie Eaton.


THURSDAY September 9, 2010

15

SPORTS

SPORTS BRIEFS Athletes of the month announced Tricia Vensel and Kaley Viola were named Winthrop athletes of the month. Vensel, a senior on the women’s soccer team, scored the team’s first goal of the season. She helped the team to a 2-2 tie against Marshall University with seven shots on goal. Senior volleyball player Viola averaged 3.38 kills in August, and also had 44 kills and 56 digs.

Soccer player lands on list Freshman soccer player Matt Stinson was named in the College Soccer News Top 100 Freshmen to watch list. Stinson, from Toronto, Ontario, played on the Under 20 Canadian National Soccer Team this summer. The award names the top 100 freshmen from across the country.

Soccer team not in usual preseason spot For the first time since 2005 the men’s soccer team was not named the preseason’s Big South Conference top team. The Eagles are coming off their second conference title in three years. The team only returns five starters and has 18 underclassmen on the roster. The young team’s next home game will be September 25 at 7 p.m.

Basketball team scores national TV appearance

Above: Junior middle hitter Becca Toor jumps for a solo block during Winthrop’s match against the College of Charleston Cougars last Friday night. It was the first match of the 2010 Carolina Challenge. Left: Senior outside hitter Kellie Sellers tries to attack through the Cougars’ block. The team has played in two tournaments since August. Their record is 2-4 with wins

The Winthrop men’s basketball team will play in 2010 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season TipOff. They will take on Virginia Commonwealth University. The tip-off will feature 16 teams from across the country. The tournament takes place November 15-17, and the Eagles will play on Wake Forest University’s home court.

Basketball team schedule announced A trip to Lexington, K.Y. to take on national power the Kentucky Wildcats is one of the highlights of the Winthrop men’s basketball schedule. The schedule features 14 home games with the first home game on November 6 against UNC Pembroke. Season tickets are on sale for $110 for the general public, while faculty/staff and young alumni (students who graduated from Winthrop in the last five years) season passes are $90. The family pack, which includes four seats, costs $335. Go to winthropeagles.com for more information.

VOLLEYBALL • from front team to have a successful year. “We need to work on finishing our matches better and stop out-of-system attacking,” Polhamus said. Polhamus, entering her third year as the volleyball team coach, has

high hopes for this year’s team. “Our goal is the Big South Conference title,” she said. The team returns nine of 13 players who form a solid mix of experienced leaders and young players eager to learn from them. “We have the five seniors, but we

over Seton Hall University and the University of South Carolina. Kaley Viola, Becca Toor and Sara Felts lead the team in kills so far this season with 77, 70 and 62, respectively. Conference play begins Sept. 24 when the team will face High Point University at home at 7 p.m. Photos by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com

also have strong leaders developing in the junior and sophomore classes,” Polhamus said. “Everyone has an opportunity to make an impact this season.” The conference title is well within reach of this team, but it will take a team effort to reach that goal.

Where’s WU football? With the start of another college football season underway, a thought occurred to me: Winthrop really needs a football team. Between the upsets and last-minute victories that will no doubt accompany the new season, college campuses throughout the country will be home to thrilling and exciting moments. Fans will yell and scream, cry and laugh as their teams do battle on the football field. Football has surpassed baseball to become America’s pastime. It has become something close to a religion. An engaged friend of mine said she almost considers herself single during football season. Between playing fantasy football and watching games, her fiance is gone during the season. A college football team at Winthrop would be very popular with students and the Rock Hill community

Chris McFadden Sports Editor

alike. Being a Rock Hill native, I can attest to it being a football town. The three high schools in Rock Hill usually have sold-out stadiums when they play on Friday nights. Go to any diner or bar around town and you are sure to hear some discussion of high school football. Judging by the conversations I hear around the West Center and the number of Winthrop football shirts around campus, I think the student body would love a gridiron team as well. The university has already built a nationallyknown basketball team.

It would only be a matter of time before the football team would be successful as well. The basis of this opinion is based on Winthrop’s location. Football talent surrounds the school. Every year, the high schools in this area send numerous kids off to universities on football scholarships. The area also has a number of athletes who play in the National Football League. A Winthrop football team would be able to keep some of the local talent that heads to other areas to play college ball. Starting a football program will, without question, cost a lot of money. However, a football team at Winthrop in the not-to0-distant future would increase the university’s profile throughout the country. An Eagle football team may be a pipe dream, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.


THURSDAY September 9, 2010

THE JOHNSONIAN

16


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.