Feb. 12, 2015

THE JOHNSONIAN | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 | MYTJNOW.COM

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Strom’s granddaughter Senator Strom Thurmond’s granddaughter visits Winthrop Catherine Lowe lowec@mytjnow.com

Eric Hammett / The Johnsonian

Granddaughter of Strom Thurmond, Monica Williams-Hudgens, speaks to Winthrop campus members in McBryde Hall.

Monica Williams-Hudgens, granddaughter of the famous United States Senator Strom Thurmond, visited Winthrop last Thursday to share her family’s infamous story about having a Caucasian family member.

The event took place in McBryde Hall, where Williams-Hudgens talked about the family’s history, Thurmond’s controversy and answered questions from the audience.

When Thurmond was a United States senator, he jeopardized his political career by taking care of his biracial daughter Essie Mae Washington-Williams (mother of Monica Williams-Hudgens) after a sexual relationship he had with a 15-year-old black housekeeper.

During the 1960s, WilliamsHudgens was a huge advocate for the civil rights movement. It was

as a young woman she discovered that she had a white grandfather.

She swore she would never share the family secret with anybody because most of her friends participating in racial protests were against biracial relationships.

Even though Thurmond didn’t have a strong relationship with the family, he never ignored his children and grandchildren.

After the civil rights movement ended, they worked on their personal relationship.

“I may not like the things that have happened to me. I don’t even have to accept certain things that have happened to me,” WilliamsHudgens said, “but the one thing I can do is not let a person turn me into a person I don’t want to be. I believe in going out into the world and doing good. I get up every morning and tell myself ‘I’m going to do good today.’”

Towards the end of the event, audience members were invited to ask her questions.

An individual asked WilliamHudgens what she thinks about the current dispute about the name change of Tillman Hall at Clemson University and Winthrop and what she would do if someone wanted to change the name of the Thurmond building.

see THURMOND pg. 3

Eagles get payback against Panthers Michael Owens owens@mytjnow.com

Head coach Kevin Cook surely wanted his team bounce back after being blown out the last time they faced the High Point Panthers.

Tuesday night’s result, a 91-74 win for Winthrop at home, was more than a mere bounceback as the Eagles have now won six of their past seven games, and continue to fight for second place in a crowded Big South race.

“Our identity now is our defense,” Cook said.

“Once I committed to that defense, it helped the players to buy in. They’ve jumped in with both feet and they’ve just worked extremely hard. We’ve had intense practices… and we’ve found out we’re pretty tough.”

“Tenacious” was the word he used to describe his team’s performance, as the Eagles never let up and held the Panthers without the lead for the entirety of the game.

The Eagles earned their tenth home win of the season, led by a near career-high scoring night from sophomore Erica Williams, who put in 24 points, two shy of her career mark of 26.

“Their energy gets us going,” she said of the crowd and fans.

Williams also credited focus on lockdown defense in keeping Big South Presesason Player of the Year Kaylah Keys at bay. She finished with only 6 points.

Winthrop also had standout performances from Schaquilla Nunn (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Aliyah Kilpatrick, who recorded her first career double-double with 20 point and 11 rebounds.

Kilpatrick credited her recent resurgence to the atmosphere her team feeds off, and has fed off since she came back after redshirting last season due to injury.

“All the hard work they put in just makes me want to play harder,” she said.

The second half began as a back and forth contest, but Williams began taking over, catching a lob from Taylor Calvert to put Winthrop back up by double-digits after slipping earlier.

Winthrop then began completely taking over, with starters and supporting cast all getting in on scoring. In fact, every Eagle that played scored at least one point.

She and the Winthrop offense would continue to impose their will on the High Point defense.

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Winthrop’s Aliyah Kilpatrick recorded first career doubledouble in the Eagles’ win over High Point Tuesday.

The Eagles started off the game on a roll, but the visitors never let it get too out of hand. Winthrop had a lead as large as 7 in the first half after the first six minutes, but a run led by Phelps and Robertson cut the lead to as small as one ten minutes later.

Nunn and Williams led the offensive charge on an 8-2 run that included blocks from to give the Eagles some breathing room back late in the half.

Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian

Freshman Jimechia Banks at the top of the key that just beat the shot clock with a little over three minutes left to put the Eagles up by 9, but they would lead by double-digits at the intermission with help from fellow newcomers Ezinne Mbamalu and Naima Jackson.

Winthrop (14-10, 10-5 Big South) will hit the road on Saturday to face the last team that beat them at home, Gardner-Webb. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

Index: News 3 | Opinion 5 | Sports 6 | Arts & Culture 8 | Business 10 | Science & Tech 11

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February 12, 2015

Dating and Relationship Violence Voices Against Violence defines relationship violence as a pattern of behavior in an intimate relationship that is used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation.

Whether you call the involvement dating violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence or relationship violence, all of these signify that one partner has gained more control through the use of manipulation.

In a healthy relationship, both partners should have mutual respect. There should be trust, honesty, support, fairness and good communication.

While in a relationship you should: • Maintain and respect each other’s individuality • Maintain relationships with friends and family • Have activities apart from one another • Be able to feel secure and comfortable • Not have to fear violence in the relationship • Have the option of privacy • Have respect for sexual boundaries Some signs of an unhealthy relationship could be: • Feeling pressure to change who you

• • • • • •

are for the other person Feeling pressure to quit activities that you usually participate in Noticing that arguments are not settled fairly Feeling afraid of angering your partner Having a lack of privacy Experiencing yelling or physical violence during an argument One person attempting to control or manipulate the other

People who are in a violent relationship often feel like they are alone when in fact it is a common problem. Anyone can be in a violent relationship without showing any warning signs. In 2010, the CDC conducted a National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey which found that more than one in three women and one in four men in America have been in a violent relationship.

Typically studies have shown that people stay in unhealthy relationships because they: • Feel scared about what may happen if they leave • Feel concerned over what others will think • Don’t see their partner as being abusive • Feel like they may not find another person to date • Blame themselves for their treatment

What to do if you are in an unhealthy relationship: • Avoid contact with the person.

• Go to your doctor or hospital for treatment if you have been injured.

Winthrop offers a Health and Counseling Services on-campus where you can receive medical attention as needed.

The Office of Victims Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact Health and Counseling Services during business hours at 323-2206 and Campus Police at 323-3333 after hours.

Tell a trusted adult like a parent/guardian, counselor, doctor, teacher, or spiritual or community leader.

Contact Safe Passage at 803-329-2800 for support and immediate assistance.

Call 911 right away if you are ever afraid that the person is following you or is going to hurt you. The number for Campus Police is 803-323-3333 The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE

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NEWStheJohnsonian February 12, 2015

Winthrop students wear garnet and black to classes on Monday in solidarity for their friends at the University of South Carolina proceeding the campus’ shooting.

Carolyn Rennix/ The Johnsonian

Winthrop community reflects after USC shooting Police Chief Zebedis discusses Winthrop’s active shooter protocol, preparation Carolyn Rennix rennixc@mytjnow.com The University of South Carolina still grieves over the loss of their fellow faculty member, who was shot and killed in a small laboratory on campus Feb. 5.

The shooting resulted in two lives lost; Anatomy Professor Raja Fayad, who was shot by his ex-wife Sunghee Kwon several times in the upper body. Kwon then committed suicide by shooting herself in the stomach, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said in a news release.

There were no other casualties or injuries.

“No institution should ever have to experience an active shooter,” said Police Chief Frank Zebedis regarding the USC murder suicide incident.

Zebedis explained the methods and steps that would be taken if this incident were to happen on Winthrop’s campus.

Since the Virginia Tech shooting on Apr. 16,

2007, the university has implemented various methods to alert and protect students in an active shooter incident.

“It is unfortunate because we, as law enforcement, learn at someone else’s expense,” Zebedis said.

The new methods implemented at Winthrop include the university’s multi-tiered notification system. Students, faculty and staff will first, almost immediately, receive an alert text message with a very brief explanation of the situation.

“I think the biggest thing students probably notice is the alert notification system through the cell phones and text messaging,” Zebedis said.

“That method came right after the Virginia Tech shooting.”

There are also alert boxes in the buildings around campus, which send an audible and visual message. The same message received over text message would also be sent to the message board, which will display on every computer and TV on campus.

The university police department also purchases a gateway each year, which enables them to send alert messages more quickly.

Zebedis also mentioned the university’s Live Safe application, which is their last line of notification in the event of an emergency.

“We are very happy with the multi-tiered system we have in place right now,” Zebedis said. “We haven’t had any short falls in the past when we had to activate an emergency message.”

Zebedis explained that this method of communication will not leave students and faculty

questioning what their next step in the emergency should be.

“The text will be very short and concise, it will tell you exactly what you need to do in that moment,” Zebedis said. “Then you don’t move from what that text tells you, until to you receive another text stating otherwise.”

Police chief also explained what a student should do if they are stuck on campus and/or stuck in the building with an active shooter.

“I developed an active shooter response program,” Zebedis said. “I have six major steps: get out, call out, hide out, help out, keep out and, if needed, take out.”

Zebedis reflected on USC’s law enforcement and how they handled the alleged “active shooter” on campus.

“I look at it this way; they got a call, they responded, the campus was notified,” he said.

“They did all of the right things.”

Zebedis also acknowledged that their situation could have been much more fatal.

“The shooter unfortunately took her own life after taking another victim, but the damage was very minimal,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

Zebedis said how the most important aspect of his job is keeping this university safe.

“It is my job to figure out what we can do to protect our university,” he said. “Actively shooting schools and malls is becoming the American way, so I need to find the gaps and mistakes that were made by their law enforcement, so we don’t make those same mistakes.”

Strom Thurmond’s descendent speaks out thurmond • from front “I believe it should be called the Strom Thurmond-Essie Mae Washington-Williams Institute,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not going to come in here and start telling the good people of South Carolina what you need to do. That’s where trustees, constituents, community members and any state holder have to state what’s going on.

Changing a name is changing a name. But how do you change the minds of people?”

Graduate student Amanda Covington stood up and asked William-Hudgens if the family secret ever leaked out and if she ever received any backlash or criticism from members of the Black Panther Party.

She responded by saying that she never told anybody during the difficult time.

“It slowly changed my heart, but over the years I started accepting all of me and am proud of who I am and what I have gone through,” she said.

Covington said that she felt inspired to come to the event, because feels she has a personal connection with Monica Williams-Hudgens.

“My father is biracial and he never had the opportunity to know his father,” Covington said.

“When I hear stories about biracial people being on a journey of trying to find themselves, I’m always curious to know what they go through. I want to know about the internal conflict.”

The event inspired Covington to use WilliamsHudgens’ story as perseverance throughout her life.

“I’ve been thinking about going through my own lineage and being here gave me a kick start to discover more about my father’s side of the family.”

Eric Hammett/ The Johnsonian Graduate student Amanda Covington asks Monica Williiams-Hudgens about her family’s secrets.

Williams-Hudgens is currently a domestic violence advocate, activist, writer, teacher, community organizer and teacher.

Her family’s story is unique, but she said it taught her a lot about overcoming hardships. Her words will continue to affect and inspire many people over the years.

Her mother Essie Mae Washington-Williams wrote a book called “Dear Senator” that was published in 2004. In the book, she talked about what it was like to have a white father.

Carolyn Rennix | News Editor rennixc@mytjnow.com

“Even though my mother has passed on, I believe that her voice should not be silent. She spoke for all of those who felt silenced from so much rejection,” she said. “I encourage those of you who want to continue in higher education, continue to change and continue to better yourself. Know that even though your circumstances could seem so difficult, find someone that is a wave maker and latch onto them and become all that you want to be.”

Catherine Lowe | Assistant News Editor lowec@mytjnow.com

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February 12, 2015

WTF: Welcome the French CofC students tweet bomb threat

Mass Communication Department welcomes French students with annual celebration Carolyn Rennix rennixc@mytjnow.com

The Mass Communication Student Advisory Board welcomed the program’s new French study abroad students and reunited with returners at the annual Welcome the French (WTF) event.

Winthrop greeted 20 new students through the ESICAD Program. The students are from many different regions of France Through this program, students have the opportunity to choose Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) or Mass Communications as their field of study.

Most of the French students choose to enroll as IMC majors and plan to pursue careers in public and media relations and marketing.

One of the newly welcomed students, junior IMC major Mathilde Xavier described her experience at Winthrop over the past month in the states.

“So far, it has been a lot of work getting acquainted to the system at Winthrop and making myself feel like I am home,”

Xavier said. “But as time goes by, it is starting to become more normal.”

Xavier said one of her greatest challenges transferring to a university in a foreign country has been adapting to the different learning styles, habits and personalities of the “southern Americans.”

Xavier said the WTF event was just one of the events the university and Rock Hill community have organized to help the new students feel comfortable in their adopted home.

“It is nice having so many events thrown for us,” she said.

“It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people from different horizons.”

Returning French student, Audrey Masson, attended the WTF event for her second year in a row.

The senior described how she felt more confident at this year’s event because she believes that her communication skills have grown during her time at Winthrop.

Dozens of international students piled into the DunlapRoddey Room in Johnson Hall to partake in the festivities on Feb. 5.

“The atmosphere was pretty friendly, [at WTF] everyone was trying to meet new people,” Masson said. “I definitely enjoyed it more this year because I felt comfortable speaking English with my peers.”

Many of the French students who have been enrolled at Winthrop for over year said that when they graduate, they hope to find a job and stay in the United States.

12:30 p.m.

1:07 p.m.

Carolyn Rennix / The Johnsonian Students enjoy refreshments at the Welcome the French event.

Police Blotters: Tillman burglary

Possession of illegal drugs

2/6/2015

2/6/2015

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on the above date, police officers reported to Tillman Hall in reference to an attempted burglary in Room 6 located in the basement. A faculty member informed the officer that somebody tried to break in.

A visible inspection was conducted in an attempt to locate any further damage; none was found.The reporting officer was informed that an exterior door was damaged indicating that somebody tried to pry it open.

The faculty member said that no property was missing from Room 6 and that there was no further damage to the exterior door.

Estimated damage to the doorframe is about $50.00. This case is pending further investigation.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on the above date, a reporting officer noticed a red vehicle with the windows down and three people inside.

When the vehicle drove by, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from it.

The reporting officer pulled the vehicle over and Subject #1 stated that Subject #3 was a drug dealer and that Subject #1 was under investigative detention.

While searching the vehicle, the reporting officer located a Styrofoam cup containing 0.4 grams of marijuana, 0.2 grams of marijuana on the rear seat and a bong behind the driver seat.

The reporting officer then found a backpack that smelled like marijuana that belonged to Subject #3 and was then placed under arrest for possession of marijuana.

1:28 p.m.

Althea Holenko / The Johnsonian

The officer then requested for voluntary consent for permission to search Subject #3’s residence in West Thomson Hall.

All subjects granted voluntary consent for permission to search their rooms.

After completing a search of Subject #2’s bedroom, the officer found numerous small plastic bags that are commonly used for illegal drugs.

Potting mix, plant food, pebble substrate and many other numerous seeds indicated that Subject #2 had psilocybin mushrooms.

The subject stated to the officer that he orgininally purchased the various hydroponic items for a botony class project, however the drugs never made it to the classroom.

The two subjects were arrested and were taken to the City of Rock Hill Law Center where they both received a violation of drug law.

Upon returning to the Winthrop University Police Department, the officer entered all evidence for future court proceedings.

Each subject will be referred to Winthrop University’s Office of Judicial Affairs for numerous violations of the Student Conduct Code.

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February 12, 2015

We can’t ignore “depressing” black history Dear Editor: The Feb. 5 edition of The Johnsonian rightfully highlighted Black History Month. The front cover featured the Friendship Nine’s pardon. Allegra Payne headlined the opinion section and appropriately reminded us that the fight against racial discrimination is not over in our country.

Johnsonian staff writer Brittany Rauch penned her own piece about Black History Month. While I have no reason to believe that Brittany Rauch is not a decent person, decent people are always the ones who have the kinds of well-meant but unintentionally offensive opinions that she expressed.

Brittany Rauch — who “personally” doesn’t “mind Black History Month” — is getting tired of Black History Month: she has “begun to dread the oncoming repetition” of such “monotonous” subjects as slavery or the MLK assassination. Black History Month triggers, for her, an uncomfortable “series of depressing realities,” and she explains that she would rather focus on the good.

Unfortunately for her, it’s history.

It is about what happened. It has both positives and negatives.

The United States has a very uncomfortable relationship with the negative side of its history, especially when it comes to black Americans, and this discomfort shines through in Brittany Rauch’s piece.

Black History is a story of people fighting for their lives against what they faced. And the “positive images” Brittany Rauch wants to focus on are cases of people who struggled and who succeeded against a nation that often stood in their way.

The accomplishments of black Americans, Africans and those of African descent around the world are tremendous on their own, but

how can their successes be fully appreciated without understanding the tremendous opposition they succeeded against?

To be fair, she repeatedly reassures us — or tries to convince us — that she would “feel cheated” out of her Black History Month experience if the negatives were ignored.

That’s right before she suggests that “in looking on the bright side of what was once horrible discrimination, hopefully the world may take this to mean that we can move into a new age.” What bright side to horrible discrimination? “A new age” where bygones are bygones and we can avoid thinking about slavery and oppression? Is the “horrible discrimination” over now? Allegra Payne might have something to say about that implication.

To Brittany Rauch: I’m sorry that your experience with Black History Month has become such a drag.

I’m sorry that it’s not interesting and exciting for you. I’m sorry that your experiences with Black History Month ignored the celebration of black success. That was never my experience with February, and I’d say that, for most Americans, Black History Month is a time to both celebrate the positive and bear witness to the negative.

Black History Month is not about you. It’s not for your entertainment.

It’s not for your comfort. You don’t get to cherry pick what you do and don’t want to include and acknowledge.

There is no “Positive Black History Month,” just as there is no “Negative Black History Month.” It is all black history — human history — and we should never just sweep the ugliness away.

JEREMY BAKER Graduate Student College of Education

How to be single on Valentine’s Day

Allegra Payne Special to The Johnsonian The halls of your dorm are quiet, no one is answering their phones and there’s a marathon of sappy movies on Lifetime.

Yes, you guessed it, it’s Valentine’s Day — the day where the U.S. economy gets a boost from the millions of dollars spent on chocolates, roses and teddy bears holding hearts.

Oh, and people express their affection, and so on and so forth.

As a perpetually single female of 20, I learned long ago to find the joy in a holiday bent on couples.

Accordingly, handling being single is not as ridiculous as the movie “Valentine’s Day” makes it seem.

First of all, don’t get caught up in the whole “if you aren’t out with someone today, it’s a complete bust” mentality that this day has been known to engender. If you’re single, you have less to think about in regards to dinner reservations or romantic gestures.

While your friends and associates are planning and executing what they think is the single most important dating day of the year, you can hang back and watch “Zombieland” for the millionth time.

While it is nice to have something to do on Valentine’s Day, it doesn’t have to be some grand “Say Anything”-esque event.

Have a movie day with your single friends, rent as many cheesy flicks

as you can get your mitts on and — most importantly — have fun with the people who truly matter.

And, for the love of goodness, do not let desperation to be romanced make you troll for a date the day before just to say that you have one.

Yes, it could go well and he could be Prince Charming incarnate, but just think of the usual dating hurdles most people have at least a week to clear that you now have to do in one night.

Still want to be cheesy and feel good?

Wear your favorite outfit, dress it up a little and just find your happy place — be it a bookstore, the campus coffee shop or even a nighttime showing of that kid movie you wanted to see.

Make cheesy pal-entine cards for your friends.

It’s not just a day for couples, after all — it’s a day for love and appreciation, and everyone has someone to love and appreciate.

Feeling sentimental? Call your parents and have a chat; sometimes it leads to great stories and a good laugh.

Or even go to visit them for the day, because there is not anything as good as mom hugs.

To be honest, most single people, even when battered with Zales and Hallmark commercials, forget it’s even the 14th and just go about their day.

Not to say it isn’t a fun holiday, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all day that it’s made out to be.

Hopefully there will be no sobbing into your comforter and sadly binging on ice cream while contemplating life choices or anything else that pop culture has made into a cliché.

So make cookies or find a good movie — and have at it!

Black pejoratives: ‘negroes,’ ‘nigras’ and ‘African-Americans’

Dave Birley Staff Writer “Pejorative.”

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary offers this definition: “a word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle.”

Not a word that you hear in everyday conversation, but nonetheless a word worthy to be a part of any college-level participant’s use of the English language.

It is a word that rolls comfortably off the tongue like a well-made smoothie.

If you articulate it carefully, you will experience actions of the lips, the jaw and the tongue. In that context, it is a nice word to learn to use.

Now the truth about it: pejoratives are used by a person who seeks to belittle someone else in the hopes of building himself up. The person so demeaned is supposed to be hurt by it.

Often that result is achieved with the generation of sharp anger on the part of the victim, followed by a physical response that may not be what the speaker intended.

This is February — Black History Month. My, oh my!

Let’s take a look at the term.

Black History. Obviously

Our Say Editorial Board Trey Stokes Chair Michael Owens Vice Chair Daniel James Arts & Culture Editor

Deborah Crocker Science & Tech Editor

meant to refer, as it does, to the history of Americans of African origin or ancestry. Seems simple enough.

However, as we examine the evolution of the term, we discover something interesting.

A couple of centuries ago, when this country saw no reason or need to be concerned with either the status or the feelings of the slaves who were mostly found in the American South, the term for them was a simple one, “negroes,” and the term was never used in a pejorative manner. It was merely a term, having the same status as “cattle”; it identified a group of life forms functioning in the area.

In the South, the word was pronounced “nigras,” and

over time that pronunciation evolved into the term forbidden today, but coyly referred to as “the ‘n’ word.”

Frequently the collective noun used for them all was “blacks.”

As we moved past Reconstruction, through the days of Jim Crow and into the post-Civil Rights era, Americans of African origin and ancestry emerged into a society that is still striving to adjust to their presence as citizens with true equality. Regrettably, there are still people who choose to select these people to be the targets of pejorative attacks.

It was during the transition in the early ‘70s that the term “African-American” was coined. This was an attempt to show a sensitiv-

ity, to be a sort of counterpejorative, and to a point, it did help some white folks a bit — but the population as a whole? Not much! The problem was that a segment of people with pigmentation darker than that of the thenmajority Caucasian race were given that description, regardless of their actual place of origin.

If a person were from Trinidad, he would want to be termed a Trinidadian, from Nepal, a Sikh, from Toronto, a Canadian. The term just doesn’t fit all.

So we have this amazing throwback: February is Black History Month. Something worthy of study, no argument, but isn’t it time to think up a newer, better name?

Don’t look for love in the wrong places — or ways Believe it or not, one of the biggest mistakes people make when looking for love is that they are looking for love in the first place.

When a person is “looking” for love, they usually mold themselves into something they really aren’t in the hopes that they will attract someone. Then, once they hook someone, they gradually grow tired of putting forth this façade and begin to resent the other person. No one wants to lose someone they like — but pretending to be something that you aren’t is very exhausting.

Instead of that train wreck, isn’t it better just to be who you are, go out and look for people to connect with — as human beings, not objects to fulfill some contrived romantic

Trey Stokes | Opinion Editor stokest@mytjnow.com

fantasy?

Secondly, don’t neglect platonic love. Love comes in many forms — the love you have for your family and close friends is no less important than the love you have for your romantic partner. Moreover, if you can’t maintain healthy platonic relationships, how are you supposed to be able to survive in a healthy romantic relationship?

Third, don’t forget to put yourself first emotionally in all of your relationships — platonic and especially romantic. A huge mistake that a lot of people make is to put the survival of their relationship before their own mental and emotional health. This is a mistake that can have dire consequences for

a person’s emotional stability and mental health. In reality, a healthy relationship is the exact opposite: both partners put their individual emotions and needs before the relationship. A relationship should be a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties, so when it starts to become emotionally damaging, it’s time to seriously reevaluate.

Finally, no relationship can survive devoid of brutal honesty, at least where relationship matters are concerned. What’s the point of being in a loving, accepting relationship where you have to hide part of yourself from your partner?

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SPORTS

theJohnsonian

February 12, 2015

Depth Perception

Eagle baseball returns familiar cast and new faces for 2015.

Jacob Hallex / The Johnsoinan Michael Owens owensm@mytjnow.com In his fifth year at the helm of Winthrop’s baseball program, head coach Tom Riginos has a mostly-veteran group that looks to continue the success of last year’s deep conference tournament run.

“Winning the Southern Division was huge for us,” he said on last year’s late success.

“Confidence. That’s the word that I’ve been using a lot with these guys.”

The Eagles captured their first division title by just one game and finished with a 27-33 record that included a road win over nationally-ranked North Carolina.

Riginos has plenty to be confident about with his 2015 Eagles, who return nearly two-thirds of the roster from last year along.

“There’s a lot of guys who have been with me a long time,” he said of players like fifth-year senior infielder Chad Smith.

“They know the system and we have great captains.”

Those captains include Smith and fellow seniors Brad Kaczka and John Menken along with juniors Mark Lowrie and Sam Kmeic.

The Eagles also added some pieces in the form of 12 new players, some of which are junior college transfers.

One of those transfers to keep an eye on is Roger Gonzalez, who Riginos said will be the starting catcher on opening day. Gonzalez comes from Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida but started out his collegiate career nearly 350 miles further south at the University of Miami.

He’ll split duties with incoming sophomore Babe Thomas, who will also be out in the outfield or even used as a designated hitter.

Bullpen Kmeic will be the main arm and leader of Winthrop’s starting rotation in the upcoming

season and has been since his freshman year.

“He’s going to throw strikes. He’s going to keep you in the ball game and get you to the sixth, seventh inning,” Riginos said.

The Eagles will also have junior Zach Sightler, who Riginos said has made big developments in the offseason and called him one of the team’s biggest pro prospects.

He also said that sophomore Matt Crohan made a big jump, commending his improved command, and senior Josh Strong should have a bounceback year after not having the best statistical year.

Riley Arnone could also get starts this season, rounding out the rotation as a true freshman. The Williamsport, Maryland lefty had a 1.40 ERA and posting a 7-0 record in his last season of play, and Riginos has said that he could make a big impact on the pitching staff.

Elsewhere in the bullpen, the Eagles have a veteran group that includes Austin Lawrence, Justin Pace and Joey Strain, who Riginos has said will be in a closing role.

“He likes that role. He’s embraced that role; he wants to be the closer,” he said of Strain.

Strain has been a starter before, and the coach didn’t rule out the possibility of adding him to the rotation if necessary, but also said Brunswick Community College transfer Michael Green could also have a late game role as the season progresses.

Defensive Solidarity New faces like Jake Sullivan and Mitch Spires will have spots in the infield for Winthrop along with veterans like Smith, Lowrie and Kyle Edwards holding things down.

Riginos said that three out of the four more consistent infielders will be returning, but freshmen like Sullivan and Spires will get their chances.

Thomas and Menken lead the outfield along with Jace Whitley, completing a veteran group out in the grass for the Eagles.

At The Plate

In terms of offensive production, the Eagles found themselves in the bottom half of the Big South in multiple categories.

Despite the departure of TJ Olesczuk to the Baltimore Orioles, the returning lineup that includes the aforementioned seniors is one that Riginios said can be productive.

One thing that could become a theme throughout the season is contact hitting, as the NCAA will adopt flat-seamed baseballs as opposed to those with a raised seam.

“You still haven’t seen many home runs, but you’ve seen more triples and doubles,” Riginos said.

Thomas will be one of the key components of Winthrop’s offense, compiling nearly 50 hits last season along with 23 RBIs. He was recently named an All-Conference second team selection

by College Sports Madness.

He also said that aggressive baserunning was big point of emphasis during practices and something that could be evident.

Season Outlook Winthrop faces another tough non-conference schedule in 2015, including games against national powers such as South Carolina, Clemson and a rematch against North Carolina.

“It challenges the guys,” Riginos said.

“That’s one of the biggest things that we try to do with the non-conference schedule is that we have those weekend games that are going to be challenging.”

Other key games on the docket include contests against in-state foes such as Wofford, The Citadel, USC Upstate and Furman.

Outside of the Palmetto State, the Eagles get home series against emerging programs like Kennesaw State and Kent State, the latter of which takes place this weekend.

The head coach expressed excitement on behalf of himself and his team, and now the Eagles are ready to trot on to The Winthrop Ballpark to play someone else after months of waiting.

Track & Field

Samford Invitational - 2/13

Men’s Tennis

vs. Appalachain State - 2/14, 12 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

vs. Gardner-Webb - 2/14, 2 p.m.

Softball - Auburn Tournament vs. Eastern Illinois - 2/13, 11 a.m.

vs. Georgia State - 2/13, 3:30 p.m. vs. Ball State - 2/14, 1:15 p.m. vs. Mercer - 2/15, 12:30 p.m. vs. Auburn - 2/15, 2:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis

vs. East Tennessee State - 2/15, 11 a.m.

Michael Owens | Sports Editor owensm@mytjnow.com

7 February 12, 2014

baseball 2015 SCHEDULE kent state

2.13.15 4:00 PM home

maryland eastern shore

3.07.15 3:00 PM home

coastal carolina

3.27.15 6:00 PM away

unc asheville

4.18.15 3:00 PM home

2.14.15 1:00 PM 5:00 PM home

maryland eastern shore

3.08.15 1:00 PM home

coastal carolina

3.28.15 6:00 PM away

unc asheville

4.19.15 1:00 PM home

coastal charleston carolina southern

3.29.15 2:00 PM away

kent state

DH

2.15.15 1:00 PM home

kent state

usc upstate

2.18.15 4:00 PM away

north carolina a&t

3.10.15 4:00 PM home

the citadel

3.11.15 6:00 PM home

toledo

2.20.15 4:00 PM home

toledo

2.21.15 3:00 PM home

kennesaw state

3.14.15 3:00 PM home

toledo

2.22.15 1:00 PM home

kennesaw state

3.15.15 1:00 PM home

north carolina

2.25.15 3:00 PM away

south carolina

jacksonville

2.27.15 4:00 pm home

furman the citadel

DH

high point kennesaw state

3.31.15 6:00 PM home 4.02.15 6:00 PM home

4.04.15 3:00 PM home

charleston southern

4.26.15 2:00 PM away

3.17.15 7:00 PM away

north south PRESBYERIAN carolina a&t carolina

4.07.15 6:00 PM away

furman

4.28.15 5:00 PM home

3.18.15 5:00 PM away

radford RADFORD the citadel

4.10.15 6:30 PM AwaY

east tennessee state

5.06.15 6:00 PM AwaY

DH

DH

4.11.15 4:00 PM AwaY

3.21.15 3:00 PM home

GARDNER radford gardner WEBB webb

4.12.15 2:00 PM away

2.03.15 5:00 PM away

gardner webb

3.22.15 1:00 PM home

unc gardner LIBERTY charlotte webb

4.14.15 6:00 PM away

3.06.15 4:00 PM HOME

usc upstate

3.25.15 6:00 PM HOME

unc asheville

4.17.15 7:00 PM home

jacksonville

clemson

4.24.15 6:00 PM away

campbell kennesaw high point state

gardner furman webb

3.01.15 1:00 PM home

gardner blmont webb

charleston southern

4.22.15 6:00 PM home

4.03.15 6:00 PM home

RADFORD radford gardner webb

2.28.15 3:00 PM home

east tennessee state

4.21.15 6:00 PM away

kennesaw high point state

3.20.15 6:00 Pm home

jacksonville

maryland eastern shore

kennesaw state

3.13.15 6:00 PM home

charleston davison southern davidson

davison

DH

charleston southern

presbyterian college

unc charlotte

longwood

4.25.15 4:00 PM away

5.08-10.15 6:00 PM 5:00 pm 1:00 pm home

5.12.15 4:30 PM home 5.14-16.15 6:00 PM 6:00 pm 1:00 pm AwaY

conference championship

Crafting the Beast

Winthrop alum helped create the brand used by NFL star Marshawn Lynch Red Ventures Michael Owens owensm@mytjnow.com Tommy Hines (‘11) is currently a graphic designer at Red Ventures in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is most-known for desiging and maintaining the “Beast Mode” brand used by Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch. Here, he spent a few minutes to reflect on his experiences at Winthrop and how they’ve helped him in his career.

MO: What was your major here at Winthrop?

TH: My major was Visual Communications with a concentration in Graphic Design So where are you originally from?

I’m from Louisville, Ky. I came to South Carolina specifically to attend WU

What about your experience at Winthrop helped you most in your career?

Critiquing designs and my projects at WU. Being able to present your work and defend your decisions is key in any job – whether it’s graphic / fashion design, finance, teaching, etc. So gaining the confidence and poise to respectfully voice your opinions and ideas in meetings directly came from some of the awkward and harsh critiques I faced in Winthrop’s Design Department and Specialization Review. Aside from presentation, working focused around the client or potential customer in mind is key to any successful business. Always keeping in mind: Who’s going to be using / buying / wearing my product? How do I target these people? How do I convert someone into a customer?

What was your favorite thing

about Winthrop?

My favorite thing about Winthrop – the freedom. Especially in terms of doing art design projects, I could do whatever I wanted without people limiting me. Even in other majors or classes, Winthrop is great about encouraging students to go big, think creatively and do what you want. You rarely find that in the “real” or business world. So, being supported by a community and professors that encourage individuality and big ideas is great – take advantage of it.

What made you choose Winthrop?

First and foremost, I had to get out of Kentucky. After visiting, I loved the area and being close to the mountains and beach and thought Charlotte was amazing.

Academically, it has a great graphic design program; I still remember Chad Dresbach talking to a group of

us new design students saying that less than 10 percent of the freshman who start out as design majors would graduate with a design degree. I remember him talking about the hard work, long hours, and demanding requirements and I said “Challenge Accepted.”

Developing a strong work ethic while in college has and will stick with me for life. Quite honestly, it’s one of the reason’s I can handle a full workload during the day designing websites at Red Ventures, and still run a business at night with BeastMode®. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made – leaving my friends and family in Kentucky, and getting out on my own; it was sink or swim. I’ve met some of my best friends while at WU and have set myself up for success down the road. Isn’t that what college is about?

8

February 12, 2015

From the fields of Ireland to the community of Rock Hill Na Holair keeps Irish culture alive with lively and entertaining celtic music Daniel James jamesd@mytjnow.com When associate professor of Music Connie Hale went to Ireland, she returned to inspire a new generation of Irish music performers.

Winthrop’s Irish music ensemble has been training for the past year. Hale said that there are currently about 10 members in the ensemble with mostly new students, including two nonmusic majors. Those that took the class last semester have been acting as student teachers to the others.

“I am very proud to say that all of the students sing and play one or more instruments,” Hale said.

Many of the instruments that the Irish ensemble uses are different from many of the other musical groups on campus, such as the tin flute, a woodwind instru-

ment similar to a recorder, and the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum with animal skin on the front and a hollow back. There are more traditional instruments too such as the accordion, guitar and violin.

Hale said that the instruments are not the only difference between Irish and classical music, but the performance is different as well.

“This is a totally different kind of performance than students are used to,” Hale said. “Students are used to very formal performances with classical music. This is a performance more in the vein of entertainment. It is not high art, it’s fun.”

When the musicians perform, they dance and sing while they play. They also tell stories and jokes to the audience between songs, in order to keep the concert lively and entertaining.

Feb. 5 - Solution

This is because the music is often performed in relaxed environments such as pubs and homes as opposed to grand concert halls.

Hale said that she even organizes classes to resemble a true Irish music session.

“There are no books on how to set up an Irish group.

The first semester that I taught it, I had to figure that out. We come in, play our tunes and talk; it’s very relaxed. It’s the only way to teach Irish music.”

This relaxed quality of the class has brought herself and her students closer together. Hale said that it often doesn’t even seem like a class.

“I like the musician part of it. I like sitting with my students and them almost becoming a colleague. We play music together. We’re loving music and collaborating. Collaborating with students is very special.”

There have been roadblocks in the evolution of this band. One such obstacle is musical notation.

“The music is not as written,” Hale said. “The music is played with a rhythmic inflection similar to the jazz eighth notes.”

Classical music often has a regular beat and it has a signature of 4/4 time, meaning

every measure has four beats. Hale said that in an Irish jig, the beat resembles the phrase black and decker, showing that the word black’s note would be elongated and the sound of the syllable “de” has a shorter sound although there are still four beats.

Another issue is that many of the musicians are used to instruments that may use much more air.

“They have to unlearn a lot of things,” Hale said.

“That is very difficult, but I spent a year in Ireland, and I do not play as well as some of my students.

Hale’s knowledge of Irish music comes from a trip to Ireland in January 2013.

Hale went on sabbatical to study Irish music in County Monaghan, Ireland, when her husband was sent there for work. While she was there, she travelled, studying from various experienced musicians including All Ireland award-winning music artist Noreen Boyle.

Boyle will be coming to Tega Cay, South Carolina to host a workshop for area musicians Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

Anyone interested in attending the workshop may contact Hale at connielouhale@ gmail.com. The entry fee is $20 and includes a concert at 4:30.

Na Hloair’s next concert will be at McHale’s Irish Pub on E. Main Street, Rock Hill March 7 at 7 p.m. They will

“” Education

is keeping culture alive. Music is very much part of that culture.

Connie Hale

Associate Professor of Music

also be playing April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Barnes Recital Hall.

“If [students] are interested in Irish music, not only come to the concert, but feel free to enroll in the class.

They are welcome. If they like to sing solos, they can sing solos; if they like to play instruments, they can play instruments or they could do both.”

Anyone interested in the Irish Ensemble class, may contact Hale at halec@ winthrop.edu. Hale said that she is proud of all of the work that her students have done and looks forward to the future of the course.

“Education is keeping culture alive,” Hale said.

“Music is very much part of that culture.”

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9

February 12, 2014

Poet Derick Burleson’s time spent in Rwanda and Alaska Poet speaks on the citizens of Rwanda during genocide.

Beth West weste8@winthrop.edu Derick Burleson is a professor at the University of Alaska: Fairbanks, a selfproclaimed ex-smoker and a graduate of Kansas State University. Burleson was a participant in the Peace Corps in Rwanda, around the time when one of the world’s largest genocides took place.

During the event he spoke about how terrible life was for the citizens of Rwanda and how devastating the genocide was. Several times

he said the words “kill or be killed.” The citizens had no choice.

To kick off the event Burleson started describing the place that he called home for almost two years. He began to talk about how he is from Oklahoma and that “Howdy” is the official greeting.

It was several stanzas later that the crowd realized he was reading his poetry, which took them on the journey of a “white man” coming into Rwanda and teaching the indigoes people English while he would begin to respond to them in French.

He began to ask questions and get crowd responses while he was reading his poetry in hopes that he

could teach a grand lesson: history must be retold in order for people to learn and recognize from the mistakes made.

One of the most heartwrenching things that he told was the story of Roger, his brother from his host family. Roger and his older brother, in addition to other family members, were attacked by 20 people who were controlling the Rwandan’s through fear of an adverse death.

During this experience Roger was shot twice, once in the shoulder and once in the lower back. After some time the soldiers who were initiating this attack noticed that Roger was just not dying, so they began to stab

him.

However, Burleson had previously given Roger a Columbia jacket and that jacket saved him; the soldiers were stabbing the jacket not Roger. Then, the soldiers still took note that he was not dying quick enough, so they placed a gun in front of his head and Roger placed his hands on top of his head.

The only thing that was hit in this shooting was Roger’s pinky.

Burleson summed up his description of the genocide by saying that either a “pinky saved you or you were a murderer. It was the only way to survive.” He also continued to discuss how difficult it was for the peoples of Rwanda and that if

he were to choose he would be a murderer because he would want to live; there was simply no other option.

Throughout the entire event Burleson used humor and inflection to describe a disturbing time while giving a great education about the events that have taken place in the small country of Rwanda.

Towards the end of the event Burleson mentioned his life in Alaska, which is a much more light-hearted topic. He discussed his love for being away from the hustle and bustle of other location because he misses the dynamic that was Rwanda, which he fully intends on visiting again with Roger.

Advantages of studying abroad The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards gives students a chance to study abroad and gain experiences not offered on-campus.

Christine Buckley buckleyc@mytjnow.com Study abroad allows students to obtain credit for graduation while going overseas. It gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture.

Students were able to gain information on study abroad options that are available through Winthrop during the Spring Involvement Fair in DiGiorgio Campus Center Feb. 5.

According to Hayden Clement, a senior English major and peer mentor, there are currently 21 study abroad programs that match Winthrop’s cost.

The most popular countries that students travel to are Australia, England and Spain; however, students have the opportunity to go wherever their hearts desire.

Study abroad provides an experience like no other, and there are many benefits to it, other than just the chance to travel.

“The benefits of study abroad is that you come back to America and on your resume it is much more attractive, much more opportunistic,” Clement said. “Your business employers will be more like this person since they study abroad. They’re more aware of universal cultures; they are more well-rounded, more matured. They are more confident because they put themselves out of their comfort zone into this new environment in an unfamiliar territory, unfamiliar culture so that really

helps them getting a job.”

Students also have the opportunity to do an internship abroad, giving them work experience outside of the United States.

With study abroad, grants and scholarships that students use to attend Winthrop will help pay for the trip. There are also extra scholarships available through ONCA (Office of Nationally Competitive Awards).

“There are lots and lots, and I am finding more of award scholarships for people to study abroad, and the Gilman is one we have the most success with,” said Leslie Bickford, English faculty and director of ONCA. The Gilman award is specifically for undergraduates who wish to study abroad. The qualifications for this award are that students must be PellGrant eligible and write two essays.

“There are some awards that want to send you to a particular place, and there are some for specific majors, but the Gilman award is the first step,” Bickford said.

The classes students will take abroad will count toward each student’s major.

“You are not being set back a semester, because before you go abroad, they have you fill out a form to transfer credit saying these courses taken overseas transfer back,” Clement said.

“I think that if a student could go abroad and take every credit that they need to graduate, there is no reason to spend all eight semesters here,” said Kate Dawson, director of institutional relations for Spanish Study Abroad.

“Do it! I would say that it is really hard to get a chance to live somewhere else once you graduate, so definitely take advantage of the opportunity while you still can,” said Emily Negard, university relations coordinator for CISabroad.

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11

February 12, 2015

Six sweet Valentine’s Day apps for a warm and fuzzy weekend Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com For those of you in long-distance relationships, or simply looking for a way to come up with an amazing date night, here are a few apps to get you started.

OpenTable - This iPhone or Android app allows users to look up a particular restaurant and make reservations directly from the app itself. Not all restaurants allow reservations, but the app includes an extensive database of over 32,000 restaurants worldwide. It’s a good place to get started if you aren’t sure where to go for a date, or if you’d rather not brave the traffic only to wait for a seating in the cold.

Yelp - Available for all phone platforms, Yelp automatically searches your location for the best places to eat, drink and have fun. Look for a good hotel if your Deborah Crocker \ The Johnsonian significant other is visiting from elsewhere, or find a bowling alley for after-dinner entertainment. If

you’re in Rock Hill, the app will also include results from Charlotte and Greenville, along with other surrounding towns and cities. Yelp also includes nearby restaurants, along with reviews and ratings for each.

This app does not make reservations and only lists the restaurants.

Watch2gether - Perfect for long-distance dates, this website puts various Internet videos into a single user’s “room” where the link can then be shared with anyone. The site allows videos from Youtube, SoundCloud, Vimeo and Dailymotion, and signing up for a room is free. YouTube movies can be rented on the website and viewed through Watch2gether.

Bloomnation - Advertised as “Etsy for flowers” this site connects to over 3,000 florists around the country. Users simply order a particular bouquet and enter who they want it to be sent to, and the florist will send a picture of the finished product before allowing it to be shipped to the recipient. Pricing and designs vary across florists, and the

iOS 9 to focus heavily on hardware improvements system, rather than solely focusing on delivering major new feature additions. Apple Apple’s newest operating will also continue to make system, iOS 9, will maintain efforts to keep the size of the a focus on improving stability OS and updates manageable, and optimization, according especially for the many to MacRumors.com. millions of iOS device owners “For 2015, iOS 9 is going to with 16GB devices.” include a collection of underiOS 8, released in 2014 with the-hood improvements,” the iPhone 6 and the iPhone said Mark Gurman in his 6 Plus, included an unusually article on 9to5Mac.com. high number of bugs for “Sources tell us that iOS iOS performance, according 9 engineers are putting a to MacRumors. Slow WiFi, huge focus on fixing bugs, battery drain issues, screen maintaining stability and rotation frustrations and boosting performance for Bluetooth connection failures the new operating were some of the problems reported in Apple’s latest operating system. Although the last few iOS 8 updates were aimed at solving these issues, iOS 9 will focus more intensely on preventing them from happening instead of rolling out new features.

Apple is also Deborah Crocker \ The Johnsonian Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com

working on reducing the amount of space required for an operating system update, which will allow owners of 16 GB iPhones to free up more space. iPhone owners complained in October that the update required far too much space that could have been used for pictures and music. This requirement has since been fixed in iOS update 8.1.3.

“Like Snow Leopard, iOS 9 will be pitched with stability as a tentpole component, but under-thehood enhancements will not be the only feature, said Gurman. “Over the past few years, Apple has been working on several new iOS features, such as Transit and Indoor mapping modes, so we are still expecting exciting additions to be showcased on the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2015 stage as well.”

The OS update will become available to consumers in 2015, although the exact date of release is unknown.

BusinessInsider.com reports that more information about iOS 9 should be available in June.

high demand for flowers over Valentine’s Day may slow down shipping speeds.

Yummly - With thousands of recipes to choose from, Yummly is perfect for anyone who’s planning to cook their own dinner on Valentine’s Day. The app sorts recipes by meal type, dietary restrictions, taste, allergy, cooking time or cholesterol count, and will even turn the recipe into a shopping list to store for later.

Yummly has also partnered with InstaCart, allowing recipes to be delivered straight to your door within an hour.

Flickster - If you’re having trouble finding a movie to see over Valentine’s Day weekend, this app searches for the latest movies and where they’re playing. The app includes showtimes, theater locations, movie trailers and reviews, and Flickster’s website has movie rentals and an option to convert DVDs to a digital format. Some specially marked DVDs include a redemption code for a free movie.

You don’t have to be afraid of your own computer when it needs to be repaired. A quick , easy Google search will give you various options to try for free, and your problem may even have a simple solution. As long as you follow the directions carefully, keep track of what you download and avoid shortcuts, you don’t have to worry about something exploding. Taking the computer to the shop or sending it in should be a last resort – you don’t want to be charged for a simple solution.

History of the Week Febuary 12, 2008

On this day in history, Hollywood’s longest work stoppage since 1988 ended when members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted by a margin of more than 90 percent to go back to work after a walkout that began on November 5. The writers’ strike began during the negotiation of the WGA’s latest contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents over 300 production companies.

More than 60 TV shows had to be shut down, causing a drop in ratings and the loss of tens of millions of dollars in ad revenue for the networks. By the end, the strike was estimated to have cost the local L.A. economy more than $3 billion, taking into account lost wages for writers and crew members, lost business for service industries such as catering and equipment rental and reduced consumer spending.

Be safe this Valentine’s Day: protect yourself on Tinder Tinder may be a fun way to meet new people, but it pays to be smart Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com Although Tinder is a great place for meeting new people and possibly starting new relationships, basic online safety still applies. The app provides good connections, but it’s still important to determine whether or not a potential meetup is a good idea. Don’t dive in headfirst – be safe and alert this Valentine’s Day weekend.

Don’t get drunk during your first meetup.

Not only is being drunk a poor way to get to know a stranger, you don’t want your inhibitions lowered or your mind elsewhere during the first date. Go to a restaurant, a movie theater or another public place where alcohol isn’t easily accessible. Look for warning signs as well, especially if the person you’re with is heavily insisting or attempting to guilt trip you into drinking.

Chat extensively first.

Make sure the person you’re matched with is going to be a good person to continue seeing.

Bring up some topics that interest the both of you, and get to know some details about their personality.

You aren’t always going to know exactly how a person is through a few short conversations, but it’s better to feel them out through text

credit card information to continue talking with them. A good way to determine whether or not the person you’re talking to is a previously-recorded bot is to watch how they respond to you. They will not directly answer questions and may even ramble on without your replies. As always, it’s never safe to open a link a stranger gives you if it’s not something you recognize, and you should never divulge your credit card info to any of these sites.

Deborah Crocker \ The Johnsonian Set up correspondence before meeting up a Tinder-specific Facebook in real life. It’ll also decrease some profile. of the nerves that might pop up It might be a pain to maintain as you’re waiting to meet them in two profiles, but you don’t want person and will also give you some strangers knowing who your pre-determined icebreakers. friends are or where you work Watch out for fake profiles. just yet. Logan Strain, a writer for Some profiles emulate certain Instantcheckmate.com, advises websites that ask users for their frequent Tinder users to keep their

Deborah Crocker | Science & Technology Editor crockerd@mytjnow.com

real profile and their Tinder profiles separate, including pictures.

“To protect your info and put your hottest foot forward, create a special Facebook account that just has your basic info and only pictures you want other people on Tinder to see,” said Strain in his article on Tinder safety. “Bump up your anonymity by creating the Facebook profile with a throwaway email address.”

Go slow.

There’s nothing wrong with a few days of chatting online before you meet up with someone you’ve been matched with. If you still don’t feel comfortable visiting the other person’s place of residence after a few dates, that’s fine, too. Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you’re uncomfortable with, and be sure to introduce the person to friends you trust just so they have a face in mind if something happens.

Your safety is more important than a successful date. If you have to compromise your own well-being, it’s probably not a good idea. There’s no need to be overy paranoid, but remember to be alert and aware.

12

February 12, 2015