9-16-2010 Issue by The Johnsonian

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

Does your car have flames or flowers? Enter the Ridiculous Car Competition. See Arts & Entertainment, page 8

Renovations of Phelps and Owens continue. When will they re-open? See News, page 3

Marijuana and a hit and run. Read the Police Blotter. See News, page 4

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Issue 4

NEWS

parking

Investigations lead to arrests of 2 former Winthrop employees BY CLAIRE BYUN byunc@thejohnsonian.com

Two separate investigations that began in the spring of 2010 have ended in the arrests of two former Winthrop employees. George Walker was arrested Thursday on charges of embezzlement, procuring university credit card charges totaling $209,370. Walker, former printing services employee, turned himself in to the police after a several-month-long investigation. Walker was charged with two counts of breach of trust totaling more than $5,000 for mishandling a Winthrop credit card. Because the case has not gone to court yet, chief of Campus Police Frank Zebedis is not authorized to share evidence. The Winthrop University Police Department is the arresting agency and the York County Solicitor’s Office will be the

prosecuting agency. Winthrop discovered the credit card misuse when the budget office noticed increased costs in the printing office during a time when university offices were supposed to be reducing costs, a Winthrop release said. Though Walker supervised the audit of the shop, it was revealed someone was defrauding the university through a PayPal account, according to a police report. Walker resigned in April after working for Winthrop for 10 years. Walker’s attorney, Harry P. Collins of Rock Hill, said he thinks Walker will attempt to correct the wrongs he might have committed. “If any evidence shows any wrongs, I’m sure Mr. Walker will do everything he can to correct it,” Collins said. Zebedis said he thinks Walker will coordinate with the police, but some

See EMPLOYEE page 4

CULTURE

Psychology major works with non-profit to help children BY ALEXIS AUSTIN austina@thejohnsonian.com

Students and faculty are feeling the effects of parking lot changes. Campus center staff members are now parking in the lots on either side of the center, changing the dynamics, said Campus Police Chief Frank Zebedis. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com

Campus center changes parking dynamics for students, faculty BY MONICA KREBER kreberm@thejohnsonian.com

Faculty members and commuter students say they have found some difficulty parking within reasonable walking distances on campus this semester. Campus Police converted the parking lot at Founders Lane and Alumni Drive to a faculty-and-staff-only lot 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students and faculty received a priority e-mail from Campus Police on Aug. 24 informing them about the change. “It is very important that all students remove their vehicles from this lot as soon as possible,” Campus Police Chief Frank Zebedis

wrote in the e-mail. Junior biology major Allyson Schaeffer said she usually does not have a problem getting a parking spot in the commuter lot at Dinkins. She starts class at 9:30 a.m., and the lot is usually somewhat empty, she said. Then, last Thursday afternoon, she was late to work at the West Center because she decided to drive that day. (She said she usually rides her bike to work.) She tried to get a spot in the lot by Johnson but it was full, so she went to Dinkins. About 10 other cars were circling the lot trying to find a spot, too,

See PARKING page 2

A 15-minute phone interview determined her entire summer. Elizabeth Miller, senior psychology major, found a rare opportunity and went for it. “It was hard to find because most internships working with at-risk children are only offered to people with a master’s or

doctorate,” Miller said. From June to August, Miller spent time working at Youth Villages in Memphis, Tenn. Youth Villages is a non-profit organization that helps emotionally and behaviorally challenged children and their families. The children are housed and attend school at Youth Villages. For Miller, the internship gave her first-hand experience in dealing with at-risk children. She said

Elizabeth Miller Senior

it’s something she has always wanted to do. “I worked the morning

See INTERN page 9

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Students research cancer-causing protein BY AMANDA PHIPPS phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

Three students worked over the summer to study how to inhibit the High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) protein from causing cancer in cells. They worked with Takita Sumter, associate professor of chemistry, physics and geology. Two students worked on specific sites of the protein, called High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1), and changed basic amino acids to create mutant forms. Another student studied the effects of binding HMGA1 with a certain protein. The HMGA1 protein is increased in cancer cells, but is not present in regular cells, said Sumter, associate professor of

chemistry, physics and geology. Sumter was the mentor for the three students working with the protein this summer. Chemistry majors Ashton Brock, Ronald Nelson Jr. and Amy Deng were involved in different aspects of looking at the mechanics involved in cancer initiation. Nelson and Brock worked with Sumter as student researchers for the McNair Scholars program, Sumter said. Sumter recruited Deng to work on the research to gain experience. Brock worked with Sumter last summer using the HMGA protein, but started on a new project involving the protein this

See RESEARCH page 6

Volleyball player serves up award

eagle Flicks What: The Karate Kid When: Saturday Where: DiGiorgio Campus CenterTheatre Cost: $2 with Winthrop ID, $5 for public

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

See SPORTS page 11

I N D E X

CAMPUS NEWS

2-4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CULTURE

HEALTH & SCIENCE

SPORTS

OPINION

7-8 9 10-11

Life of a night host By Jonathan McFadden

mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian. com

Osman Ali has a very serious job. During the late hours of the night, he watches over several hundred residents while they’re most vulnerable. From the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., Ali watches security monitors, loans out lock out keys and makes sure that everyone in the building is using the correct entrances and exits. He is a night host in the Courtyard and, despite the peculiar hours, he enjoys his job. He said he meets all kinds of interesting people at all hours of the night. When Ali first started the job, he said he fell asleep in several of his classes. “Falling asleep during your classes and having your professor look at you the whole time, that’s not a good feeling…,” Ali said. But he soon found his balance and began to take three-to-five hour naps before his shifts. A cup of coffee and a little Red Bull now and again also help, Ali said. Miranda Knight, resident learning coordinator for Thomson Hall, said that night hosts have some

CLAIRE BYUN News Editor THURSDAY byunc@thejohnsonian.com September 16, 2010 JONATHAN MCFADDEN Assistant News Editor mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian.com

Parking • from front

desk hours... ...late nights

different responsibilities than office hosts. Knight said that night hosts are taught how to respond in certain emergency situations, such as a fire. With emergency situations, Knight made it known that the safety of the night hosts is just as important. “I’m not going to say that you [night hosts] need to run out on the street and tell people there’s a tornado,” Knight said. “I need you [night hosts] to be safe too.” Night hosts are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, act professionally and stay late and return early during breaks. Marlene Ellis, a junior general communication disorders major, works as a night host in Lee Wicker and also as a day host. She said the job is not as easy as some may think it looks. Night hosts are responsible for making sure that everyone in the residence halls is safe and comfortable. They also monitor the cameras, report any suspicious persons entering the building and handle noise complaints. Ellis said the toughest part of the job is staying awake. “I bring my homework,” Ellis said. “I’ve discovered

some networks on the Internet where I can watch TV, or I’ll bring a movie or listen to music.” Still, Ellis said homework and TV are second priority. When it comes to her job, customer service is first and foremost. Ellis said the Department of Residence Life has made some changes to make sure that all employees are on top of their game, including a department wide training. For this semester, she made sure she had a gap in between work and class so she can get a nap in before work. Though she may be occasionally sleep deprived, Ellis said the money more than makes up for it. Ellis, who also works at Harris Teeter, said the check she receives from her night host job is much better when compared to the check she receives from Harris Teeter because less taxes are taken out. Night hosts are paid $8.25 an hour and are paid $1 extra if they work during the breaks. The night host’s hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Students who wish to become night hosts should log onto the Department of Residence Life Web page and download the online application.

but the whole lot was packed. She ended up parking illegally in a visitor’s spot and received a ticket. This past Monday she was late for work again when she had to park in Legion lot. “That lot is so full compared to last year,” she said. “Usually just two or three rows used to be full, but now it goes back more than six rows it seems.” Schaeffer said, in essence, parking gets difficult depending on the time of day. “Because of this, I’m finding myself having to stay on campus all day or ride my bike a lot,” she said. Despite Schaeffer’s claim, Zebedis said even though there seems to be more vehicular traffic on campus, ample parking spaces still exist. “Every day, I drive by the Legion lot and see that it remains half empty,” he said. “Therefore, I can’t say we are experiencing parking issues.” Zebedis said there are 1,764 resident and Courtyard parking space available on campus. In addition to those spaces, there are 733 commuter spaces, 131 visitor spaces, 91 disabled, 82 reserved and 77 faculty and staff spaces. Zebedis also said Winthrop made some parking changes over the summer to help with the opening of the Campus Center; the campus now provides more visitor spaces around McBryde and the West Center to accommodate visitors coming to the Campus Center and the book store. Visitor parking is only available to those persons not affiliated with Winthrop so therefore, students, faculty and staff are not permitted to use the visitor spaces. “As I say every year, the problem isn’t the number of spaces,” he said. “The problem is that people don’t like

where they are expected to park.” Some adjustments also had to be made with the closure of Phelps for the school year, Zebedis said. Traffic increased around Roddey Apartments to accommodate closing Phelps down; the Stewart lot on Stewart Avenue has been made into both a residential and commuter parking lot. Also, the Johnson lot now opens up to all Winthrop permits after 5 p.m., however, at 7 a.m. the lot reverts back to faculty/ staff parking. Mass communication professor Haney Howell, whose office is in Johnson, said if someone is not in a Johnson parking spot by 9 a.m. they will be parking in the street. “There were problems at the start, but I think they’ll clear up once the gravel lot is finished,” Howell said. Faculty and staff who once worked in Dinkins and have been relocated to the campus center have now elected to use the Johnson lot or the gravel lot at Founders and Alumni for parking, Zebedis said. “We never dictate which lot you park in as long as the lot you choose coincides with the permit on your vehicle,” Zebedis said. Zebedis also said he thinks students will understand the parking situation better over time. “The first couple weeks of classes parking seems to be an issue,” Zebedissaid, “but when people find all the lots and become familiar with the rules, it seems to calm down and it all works out.” After 5 p.m., many faculty and staff parking spots open for resident and commuter student use. Zebedis said he encourages students and faculty to familiarize themselves with the parking rules and regulations and view the parking map that is on the Campus Police Web site.

Each parking space on campus is designated for either commuters, residents, faculty/staff, or visitors. However, some faculty/staff spaces are available for anyone to use during certain times. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com

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THURSDAY September 16, 2010

From fire to construction

Above: Owens caught fire in March, which caused classes and offices to be relocated. Many professors were able to salvage some items from their offices, but several faculty lost documents, photos and other per-

sonal items due to water damage. Left: Construction on the building continues and will be finished later this semester. Photos by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com

Owens construction expected to be completed by late fall By Amie Detar Special to The Johnsonian

The total repairs for Owens Hall will cost roughly $5 million, said Walter Hardin, the associate vice president for facilities management. The insurance policy for the building will cover all repair costs. Construction efforts are under way, and no changes are going to be made to the building’s interior or exterior. “Construction is going well, and we anticipate a late fall completion for a spring semester opening,” Hardin said. Owens Hall, a $6.5 million general-use

classroom building that opened in 2007, was damaged in a fire on March 6, 2010. The fire destroyed most of the building’s roof, and much of the interior was affected by fire containment efforts. Each of the 21 classrooms inside Owens was equipped with SMART technology, and the building also housed a computer lab, two conference rooms and a student lounge. While Leitner Construction is obtaining the certificate of occupancy for the building, Manning Gibson, assistant vice president for facilities design and development, will be able to move furniture in and set everything up.

Waiting for renovation Phelps Hall opens for contract bids in October; will re-open in fall of 2012 with handicap accessibility By Jonathan McFadden

mcfaddenj@thejohnsonian. com

Still sitting quietly and untouched, Phelps Hall is awaiting a bidder to swoop in and give it a makeover. Phelps, which was closed down this semester for renovations to the plumbing and ventilation systems, will become more handicapped accessible once the renovations are complete. Director for Residence Life Cynthia Caseens said the plan includes relocating the office closer to the front of the building and adding an elevator in the lobby. Gena Smith, program director for students with disabilities, said she usually did not place students in wheelchairs in Phelps because of the lack of accessibility for them. Smith said the federally mandated Americans with Disability Act (ADA) gives college residence halls guidelines for making their buildings handicapped accessible. Because Phelps was not the only residence hall suited to house female students on Winthrop’s campus, no ramps were added

to it. Instead, those efforts were poured into Margaret Nance, a flat building. For every inch of rise, there needs to be 12 inches of ramp, according to guidelines by the ADA. “Although Phelps is not new construction, there are still limits to the rise and slope that would have made constructing a ramp to the exterior doors impractical,” Smith said. Even if ramps were somehow put in place to allow easier access to the lobby, students in wheelchairs would be unable to gain access into their own rooms. Students used to be required to climb a small flight of steps to get to the first floor. But Smith, who said she does not know too much about the plans for Phelps, is an advocate for more accessibility for any building on campus. “Increased accessibility is always wonderful,” Smith said. “It’s great.” Room amenities in Phelps will also do a little shuffle. Sinks, which most students are accustomed to using in their bathrooms, will be in each individual student’s room, leaving

just the shower and toilet in the bathrooms. Cassens said she thinks the students will like the new arrangement. Before Phelps’ makeover can begin, Winthrop must obtain a renovation company’s bid through a process called South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO). Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management, said the contractor with the lowest bid, as well as proper licenses, bonds and abilities, will be awarded the project. Bids open in October and last about six weeks. Hardin said the contracting community business may be very slow with the state of the economy, but he is sure Phelps will attract bidders. Hardin said public jobs tend to generate money for the economy. Contractors should be on site toward the end of October and beginning of November, Hardin said. The renovation process will take about 18 months to complete. Phelps is anticipated to re-open in fall 2012.

“Since the building was so new, before the fire hit, it already had technology upgrades,” Manning said. “All damaged items will be replaced.” A major issue for students used to cutting through Owens has been finding another route to take them around the building. Teachers who used classrooms in Owens had to be relocated and many were given offices in Lee Wicker Hall and

Dacus Library. Bancroft Hall was also affected by the fire containment efforts, though it has since reopened. Though essentially a new building on the inside, Owens will have the same look and feel as it had before the fire. “The renovated Owens will have much the same feel as it originally had,” Manning said.

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

Former employees wait for trial Employee • from front

Above: George Walker. Dave Rentschler’s photo could not be obtained at press time. Both Walker and Rentschler, both former Winthrop employees, were charged with breach of trust.

questions still need to be answered. Though a court date has not been set, Collins requested a preliminary hearing and thinks it will be set sometime in October. Walker is now looking for another job because he is no longer employed at Winthrop, Collins said. In a second, but unrelated case, Dave Rentschler was arrested Monday, September 13, on charges of breach of trust over $5000, according to an arrest warrant. Rentschler was under investigation for misallocating proceeds raised from the sale of scrap metal, and the case has

been under investigation since early July. “That between dates (April 7, 2008) and (February 26, 2010) the defendant while acting as Winthrop University’s Facility Management Supervisor did receive funds in excess of $5000 for the sale of surplus materials which were the property of Winthrop University and converted said funds to personal use,” the official affidavit stated. The affidavit was signed on Friday, Sept. 10, and Rentschler was arrested three days later. After review of approximately three years worth of business records, Assistant Police Chief Ken Scoggins and State Law Enforcement Division found

that Rentschler was the “seller of much of this property” and the cash proceeds were “paid to the delivery person in each case,” the police report states. “No record exists that Rentschler ever reported the sale of the property or turned in the proceeds to university officials,” according to the report. The police report indicated that the scrap metal was sold at Smith Metal and Iron on Glen Hope Road in Rock Hill. Rentschler was released from York County Detention Center on Tuesday.

Nicaragua provides students chance to assess past WU projects By Anna Douglas

douglasa@thejohnsonian.com

Two students will have the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua next semester to survey the impact of previous Winthrop service projects on the local community. The trip, which Winthrop’s Research Council funded, will yield the chosen juniors or seniors 12 academic credits in sociology, history and Spanish. One of the trip’s organizers, assistant sociology professor Jeannie Weil, said the aim of the semester-long research is to create a “more constant presence” in the small rural town of Rocha. Past projects have been weeklong endeavors, including a group of Winthrop students who built a school in one week a few years ago. Associate history professor Ginger Williams traveled to the country and found that in one community, children could not attend school at a particular time because they had no bridge to use when the river rose. Williams raised enough money to fund the projects and a school was built for children to attend year-round. The spring 2011 trip will assess how well these projects, are

working for local residents, Weil said. Students will live in an apartment in the city of Matagalpa for about four days of the week. The other three days will be spent doing field research in Rocha. Rocha is an agriculturalbased town without most amenities. Weil visited the area a few years ago and said she remembers sleeping in a hammock on the porch. “It’s kind of like going camping,” she said. The area is safe and the people are friendly, Weil said. An experience such as this trip is ideal for students interested in attending graduate school or participating in programs similar to the Peace Corp, she said. Residents of Rocha do not speak English, so applicants for the research trip should be comfortable with conversational Spanish. The faculty organizers will hold interviews to judge the applicants’ maturity, adaptability, ability to work independently and cultural sensitivity. Applications are due no later than Sept. 30. Other application requirements include a 2.8 or higher GPA and junior or senior status. Previous international ex-

Last year, Winthrop was able to send one student to Rocha, but now the university has enough funding to send two for an entire semester. The chosen students will spend four days a week in Matagalpa and another three days researching in Rocha. Photo courtesy of Jeannie Weil perience and participation in a research methods course will enhance an application but are not necessary. Undergraduates

and graduate students from any major or discipline are encouraged to apply. For more information and an

application, e-mail Ginger Williams at williamsv@winthrop. edu or Jeannie Weil at weiljh@ winthrop.edu.

POLICE BLOTTER

HIT & RUN (9/8/10) Between 3 and 5 p.m., a

Compiled by Jonathan McFadden

it io

Law and Order:

female student parked her car in Wither’s lot in commuter parking. While she was in class, someone struck her car’s bumper with his/her vehicle. The student did not report the incident until after she had already returned to her home. The reporting officer checked to see if there were any cameras near the incident location, but there weren’t. The officer made a follow-up call to the student on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 6:52 p.m. to see if she wished to have an accident report completed. The student said she didn’t notice any damage to the car when she left class the day before and decided not to pursue the accident report.

At 9:44 p.m., a reporting officer observed a vehicle sitting in the travel lane at Alumni Drive and Cherry Road. The officer approached the driver of the vehicle, who said he stopped his car to talk to some friends. The officer noticed the vehicle tag expired in May 2010. The officer asked the driver for his driver’s license and registration. While the driver retrieved his information, the officer noticed a bottle of Seagram’s Gin sitting in the center console. The driver quickly took the bottle and placed it under the passenger seat, but the top half of the bottle was still showing. The driver exited the vehicle

with paperwork showing the property taxes had been paid for 2009, but wasn’t able to show anything that indicated the taxes had been paid for 2010. The officer could also smell marijuana coming from the driver. Another officer arrived on the scene to assist the reporting officer. The reporting officer took the bottle of gin and found a small amount of alcohol left inside. The other officer conducted a search of the driver and found a clear plastic bag containing 0.01 grams of marijuana and a blunt with marijuana in it in the driver’s left foot sock. The driver was arrested and sent to Rock Hill City Jail.

MARIJUANA POSSESSION; POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR UNDER 21; OPEN CONTAINER (LIQUOR) (9/8/10)

www.mytjnow.com/police-blotter

CONNOR DE BRULER Opinion Editor debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com

Youth thinks about late life

OUR SAY

PARKING ANGST

Illustration by Courtney Niskala • niskalac@thejohnsonian.com

Parking complaints part of college reality Oh, the woes of parking. Residents hate the Legion lot. Not everyone in the Courtyard can park in the apartment complex’s lot. Faculty and staff have to duke it out for spots in the Johnson Hall lot. Commuters have to park on grass and gravel behind Dinkins. It’s just terrible. But, there’s a good chance Winthrop isn’t alone in its parking troubles. In fact, we might be better off in terms of cost. USC students pay between $260 to 320 per semester to park in garages. Clemson students pay $134 each year. It’s hard to judge whether the availability of parking is better here or at other colleges but we would venture to think no college has a perfect parking situation. Completion of the DiGiorgio Campus Center may have shifted the parking needs of many staff members from the Dinkins

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

area to the center of campus. This change may be impacting faculty members accustomed to parking in the area between Margaret Nance and Crawford and in the Johnson Hall lot. So, some faculty and staff members may be walking farther but we do have a new campus center—it’s give and take, people. In an ideal world, people who don’t enjoy walking or arrive later than usual to campus would be able to cruise into a convenient parking spot. But, parking isn’t really ideal anywhere we go, whether it’s grocery stores, the mall or the airport. The Johnsonian isn’t saying you shouldn’t complain about parking. We’re not fans of parking on the street or in the far reaches of the Legion lot either. But, keep in mind it’s not Winthrop out to get you. It’s just the nature of a college campus.

As my teen es. This absentmindedness may years come prove deadly. to a close, I Most elderly and middlethink more aged adults I speak to on the and more subject don’t have very much to about the agsay. They tell me I have tons of ing process. time and so many things to enI’ve always joy, but I fervently disagree. wondered just No one is promised tomorrow Connor de Bruler what kind of or even the next five minutes. old man I’ll debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com I could die very soon. become. My great-grandmother It’s probably more appropri- was very straightforward when she ate for a youngster to worry about turned 102. She said, earnestly, that getting a job and becoming a “pro- life was no longer enjoyable for her ductive member of society.” But and she wanted to die. She said she it’s much more fun to ruminate, in could no longer see or walk, and that hypothetical terms, about my final everyone she had ever truly cared years. about had been dead for twenty I could become a cheery, grand- years. Thankfully, she got her wish a fatherly type who stuffs his pockets couple months later. with expensive chocolates and perI suppose the best way to go forms magic tricks for my grandchil- about living the remainder of my dren. My wife and I might live in a life is to simply enjoy each day as it small cottage in central Vermont, comes. Everyone should behave as if where I could gather my own maple he/she were already elderly. syrup for kicks. I could also become an angry, withdrawn old man living in a secluded cabin near Appalachia. My wife might die early on or leave me for someone more interesting. My children could disown me and never bother to call. Meanwhile, I’ll be sitting on my rickety front porch, plagued by back pain, and waving a double-barrel shotgun at passing hikers. I can easily picture myself as a senior citizen. My skin will be creased similar to a tree trunk and my personality jaded by seventy years worth of embarrassment and social anxiety. I’ll probably wear the same clothes, though the suspenders will probably look better on me as an old man. Of course, the possibility that I won’t live to see old age. It’s impossible to think about aging without thinking about death. My death is a scary and simultaneously relieving notion. I think about possible deaths quite often. Sometimes I see myself walking down the wrong path on a nature trail and aggravating a bear. I also have a bad habit of not paying attention to where I’m walking and I have run into flag poles, concrete pillars, plywood signs and tree branch-

“”

...I won’t live to see old age

Professors must help students, not book companies than just sitting in a If you’re lookdark corner. ing for a trendy The recipe for how doorstop, no need these ridiculously to search the home expensive books interior isles of become doorstops, TJ Maxx, Crate paperweights and & Barrel or Ikea. other pointless home Save yourself some time, because Debra Renee Seth accessories is simple. sethd@thejohnsonian.com Take one professor chances are, you with no regard for already have a very how your money is spent, add expensive doorstop at your disone profit-driven book store or posal: the oxymoronic required online book retailer, and blend (but never used) textbook. with a syllabus instructing stuThanks to some professors dents to purchase the book. there’s probably at least one in your possession right now Next, simmer this mixture for just waiting for an opportunity two to three weeks or however to serve some purpose. So go long it takes for the student to ahead, dust that thing off and realize the book has not and will put it to some good use other not ever be used and presto; 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

instant doorstop. With the price of textbooks always rising and “new” editions of the same book (with, at most, one new chapter of information) being printed every year, you would think professors would do one of two things: A) actually use the required book (what a novel idea) or B) tell their students that it’s not necessary to purchase the book because most of the material will be covered in class. But of course there’s always those professors who opt for option C, requiring a textbook they know good and damn well they never plan on using. Do these professors find some secret hidden joy in making our

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

lives miserable? Do they realize how frustrating it is for someone with little or no income to purchase books that can cost up to $180 each? Do they even care? Apparently not. I would argue that, just as I do many students have a certain appreciation for professors who keep it real. If we’re not going to use the book, tell us that. We’re broke enough as it is. And if we are going to use it, that’s fine too, but for the love of education stop playing with our money and limited resources. Requiring students to purchase textbooks that won’t be used is just wrong and needs to

stop. If all you’re going to do is spen class time flying through the same powerpoint presentation you’ve been using since you got your coveted tenure at the university, then at least be honest and tell us that on the first day. Then, of course, some other writer will publish a column on how unfair that is but, I digress. This is a simple plea to every professor at every university across the country. If you’re going to require a textbook then please have the decency to use it. If nothing else point out the pretty pictures located inside.

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

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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.

6 RESEARCH • from front summer. The students will continue working on the projects throughout the semester, Sumter said. “They are studying if there is a correlation between DNA binding and cancer-causing properties,” she said. Brock is working on discovering the pathway that exists for the protein to increase in cells, Sumter said. HMGA1 is a protein that causes colon cancer, Brock said. If the HMGA1 promoter activates, the HMGA1 protein is produced. HMGA1a, another type of the protein, was shown to cause lymphoid disease that resembles cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in mice, according to Brock’s abstract. This supports the idea that HMGA1 may have a casual role in causing cancer. “I am trying to see how HMGA1 is produced and to inhibit its production,” she said. Brock worked this summer with T-Cell Factor 4 (TCF-4), a protein that binds with the HMGA1 promoter, through the electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), a process used to detect proteins and DNA complexes. She took promoter DNA from a HMGA1 sequence and put it together with the TCF-4 protein. She then discovered that the protein binds to the HMGA1 promoter. She is currently looking at the interactions of the promoter and protein and the effects of this binding. “We haven’t seen any effects yet,” she said. “But it is really big for us to find a protein that will bind to the HMGA1 promoter, because we could not find one before.” When the protein binds to the promoter, it is either activating, which means it is turning on the translation of the protein, or deactivating it, which means it is preventing the protein from being translated, Brock said. She is trying to find a way to inhibit this activation, which will deactivate the HMGA1 protein. This will stop HMGA1 from

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

AMANDA PHIPPS Health & Science Editor phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

forming cancer cells. One way Brock is currently trying to inhibit this activation is by creating a mutant form of the HMGA1 promoter. She changed the DNA bases of the promoter to see if the TCF-4 protein will still bind with it. If it cannot bind, it cannot activate the promoter and cancer cells will not form, she said. Student Research Nelson worked with the EMSA process to make a mutation of the HMGA1 sequence this summer, Nelson said. To form the mutation of the HMGA1 protein, Nelson replaced the amino acid Arginine at the 25th spot on the protein sequence of HMGA1 with the amino acid Lysine, he said. This is known as the R25K mutant. He used Arginine because it has similar properties as Lysine, and both are similar in length. Arginine is also modified in cancer cells at the 25th spot on the HMGA1 sequence. “We can use this mutant form to see how important Arginine is at that specific site on the HMGA1 sequence,” he said. Deng worked with the mutant R25A, which she formed by replacing Arginine on the 25th spot on the HMGA1 protein sequence with Alanine, according to Deng’s abstract. Nelson and Deng tested with KIT Ligand, a DNA sequence HMGA1 binds to, also known as the Stem Cell Factor or steel factor. It is involved in cancercausing pathways. Nelson and Deng bonded it with the regular, or wild type, HMGA1 protein. This binding is expressed in many types of cancerous cells, according to Deng’s abstract. Kit Ligand binds with the regular, or wild type, HMGA1 protein, but not with the mutant forms, Deng said. They are working to see if any of the mutants will induce cancer. This is their starting point and they will continue working with this throughout the semester. They are looking for “anchorage Independent Growth in cells over-expressing HMGA1,” ac-

Above: Takita Sumter and Amy Deng are conducting spectrophotometric analysis of a DNA sample. They used this and other technolgy to study the HMGA1 protein. Left: Ashton Brock works on pipeting some of the HMGA1 protein into a sample to use later in her research. She worked with Sumter this summer doing cancer cell research. Photos by Amanda Phipps• phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

cording to Deng’s abstract. This will help them learn about the role of HMGA1 in the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous cells. It will also help them understand how cancer progresses. “We are hoping to see

Is there really a man on the moon? Look up at the moon during International Observe the Moon Night (InOHM). Sponsors: The Carolina Skygazers When: Saturday, Sept.18 Time: 5-10:30 p.m. Where: The grassy area to the left of the entrance to Manchester Meadows, Rock Hill.

A field telescope workshop will be held from 5-6 p.m. For more information on the national event, visit observethemoonnight.org. For more information on the local event, visit carolinaskygazers.org.

that the wild type HMGA1 protein causes cancer and the two mutants do not,” Deng said. If the mutants do not produce cancer, then the amino acid that was substituted is important, she said.

They are working on making basic changes to see the effects the work they do has on the ability of HMGA1 protein to induce cancer in cells. It is a small step in cancer research, Sumter said. Their research was funded through the NIH-

AREA, or the Academic Research Enhancement Award, Sumter said. Note: Each student had different experiences prior to the summer research. Read about how they go involved below.

Programs,professor allow students to gain experience By Amanda Phipps phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

The McNair scholars program allowed chemistry majors Ashton Brock and Ronald Nelson Jr. to work with Sumter this summer to build their research skills. Not having taken biochemistry, Nelson went into the lab with little background in research techniques. He said the work they did this summer required a good amount of self-reading and studying. “It was very intense,” Nelson said. “But it was worth it in the end.” He also said Sumter, Brock and Deng were supportive and encouraging. Brock worked with Sumter using the HMGA protein last summer, but started on a new project involving the protein this year.

Brock has worked with Sumter for two years now, she said. “The research is one of my best experiences at Winthrop,” she said. “I encourage more students to get involved.” Chemistry major Amy Deng transferred from the University of Florida. Sumter recruited her to work on the research this summer to gain experience. She said she has had a different experience at Winthrop. “The research experience (at Winthrop) is incredible,” she said. “I enjoyed working with Doctor Sumter.” Though the students worked on the projects on their own, Sumter helped them learn research techniques. “I train the students in the hope that they will become more independent,” she said. “I teach them how to be scientists.”

“”

I train the students in the hope that they will become more independent. I teach them how to be scientists. Takita Sumter

Associate professor of chemisty, physics and geology

JESSICA PICKENS Arts & Entertainment Editor THURSDAY pickensj@thejohnsonian.com September 16, 2010 ALISON ANGEL Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor angela@thejohnsonian.com

Zade and Ted Patterson started making odd sounds as children playing with action figures. Now, they use the sounds in comedy skits, opening for DSU acts like TIm Gabrielson and ANT. Photo by Paul Ricciardi • ricciardp2@winthrop.edu

“”

We are like a nuclear bomb with a lock on it. Ted Patterson

Sophomore broadcast major

Sound puppetry: brothers share the stage Jessica Pickens pickensj@thejohnsonian.com

They call it “sound puppetry” and other times just plain “it.” Senior broadcast major Zade Patterson and his brother Ted Patterson, sophomore broadcast major, have an unusual craft. “We have been doing it since we were born,” Zade said. The brothers pantomime with unusual sounds and create funny storylines. “When we were kids, we would play with action figures

and watch movies,” Ted said. “We would make sounds for that and have been doing it ever since.” After seeing two Australian brothers performing a similar form of comedy on Jay Leno, the Pattersons wondered why they weren’t doing the same thing. “We took that skit and added our cartoony actions and sound effects,” Zade said. The brothers take a setting and then add comedy to it. “We start off with a basic setting, like a grocery store,” Ted said. “Then, we go from there

an add ridiculous stuff that has the potential to be funny.” The brothers compliment each other. One can make some sounds, and while the other can’t he can add something else. They have had success in high school performing at church camps, high school talent shows and Miss Wildcat at Lexington High School, hosted by the infamous Miss Teen South Carolina Caite Upton. But their greatest success was as the opening act for Las Vegas act, magician Tim Gabrielson last fall for a DSU event.

“I was the comedy chair last year for DSU and had to call Tim Gabrielson and arrange his performance,” Zade said. “Tim called me back and said Boyd told him I did a comedy skit. I thought I was being Punk’d.” The Patterson brothers also opened for well-known comedian ANT last spring with DSU. They were interviewing ANT for Winthrop Closeup, when he found out Zade and Ted did comedy skits. “He thought that our skits sounded great, and then he said, ‘You have five minutes,

and then I go on,’” Zade said. Zade and Ted are always practicing new noises and finding new sounds and ideas. The brothers said they get their stability from their mom and craziness from their dad. “We are like a nuclear bomb with a lock on it,” Ted said. Their mother always makes sure their routines are family friendly. “Mom is always asking if little kids can listen to it,” Zade said. “We have a Shakespearean taste; everyone dies in the end,” Ted said.

WU radio station exclusive on campus, online By Alison Angel

the electrical lines around the college,” Howell said. “It worked really well until the first hair dryer was invented. LiterWINR has been the student voice of ally, it wiped the entire station.” Winthrop over the airwaves for years. Howell said that because the station Running out of a small studio in does not broadcast on a frequency, it can Johnson Hall, it is exclusively operated play a more eclectic blend of music. by students and open to all Winthrop The Federal Communications Comstudents who are interested, regardless mission (FCC) does not regulate the of major. station, but he said they still follow and However, while WINR has both a abide by all the FCC rules. regular online stream on their website “It (the station) is the only place left WINRfm.com and Winthrop’s channel where you can learn the basic skills of 99, which is exclusively dedicated to the running a board, timing out a show and radio station, they do not have a frelearning to put a (radio) show together,” quency on the radio. Howell said. Winthrop has never had an FM radio Caroline DuPree, sophomore broadstation said Haney Howell, mass comcast major, is the WINR studio manager. munication professor and faculty advisor DePree enjoys the fact that WINR for the radio station. is strictly on campus and the online He said the school applied for a lowstream. powered FM license 10 years ago, and it That way, the studio can be very inappeared the school would get one. volved in studio activities, she said. However, the rules were suddenly “I feel like our exposure is good,” Duchanged. Pree said. “With online streaming, we Previously, if a school could find a are able to reach out to people outside frequency on the radio that did not have the Rock Hill limits.” a station on either side, it could apply for Junior broadcast journalism and it, Howell said. psychology major, Kathryn Scott is the “We found a frequency and applied,” general manager for the station. Howell said. “Then, the commercial staScott agrees that the exposure they get, tions jumped at it because they’re very even without a frequency on the radio, is opposed to this. This is free radio as far enough. as they’re concerned.” “I feel like we get more than enough Regardless of frequency, the radio exposure without the frequency,” Scott station has always been available within said. “It’s a great thing to not be limited campus from the start. to a frequency because I can have my “There was a radio station here for sister in Virginia listen or my friends many years called WCRO and it was on on campus and that is a whole big spectrum of people we are reaching.” Radio lingo: Students can listen to WINR Sunday through Slot - time a person airs on WINR Saturday on WINRfm. Phoner - telephone call on air com’s live stream or chanRemote -program from a remote location nel 99 on-campus. angela@thejohnsonian.com

Adrian Price and George Nguyen perform their WINR show “Live with the Prynce” on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. WINR does not have an FM or AM station. Students can listen to the radio show on WINRfm.com or channel 99. Photo by Paul Ricciardi • ricciardip2@winthrop.edu

825 Riverview Road Rock Hill, SC 29730

I-77, Exit 82-B Right off Cherry Road

803-329-1177

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

Ridiculous Car Contest Does your car have flames on the sides, a dragon head painted on the hood or a portrait of your dog Molly on the rear bumper? The Johnsonian wants to see whatever modifications you have made to your vehicle.

most modifications or that stands out the most. Submit your photos and they will be placed on The Johnsonian’s Facebook page. The car most “liked” on Facebook will win a $25 gas card. Winners will be announced in the Oct. 7 issue.

Through the month of September, the Arts & Entertainment section is E-mail your pictures to hosting a contest for the pickensj@thejohnsonian. Winthop student’s car with com. the craziest paint job,

CD REVIEW

Polar War CD impresses Winthrop band records album over summer By Jeremy Gatlin Special to the Johnsonian

Every once and a while, a band comes along and surprises listeners with its amazing talent that seems to be beyond the band members’ years. Polar War is that band. Band members Will Thompson, vocals and organ; Andy Shaffer, guitar and background vocals; Michael Linog, bass and background vocals; and Dave Rich, drums, went to New Windsor, N.Y., during the summer. The band recorded its first full-length album, “Gun,” at Nada Recording Studio. The band also recently won “Scene S.C’s Next Big Thing” competition. Any skeptic might expect the production values of an indie album by a group of college students to lack a professional sound. However, doubters’ minds will be changed once they have a listen to the new CD. The first track, called “Intro,” comes in loud and clear with the instruments playing slowly until they build to anthem-like heights with the band members singing passionately, “Follow me,

leave the dead to bury their own dead.” It is evident the members of Polar War know how to craft songs that are catchy, diverse and don’t run together. The songs are unified enough that they create a solid album. All the songs are unique in their own way, showcasing the band’s ability to write mature lyrics. The dynamic songs make you think are so hauntingly beautiful they will play in your head for days. For example, “Mother” is an acoustic ballad that allows the tender side of Thompson’s vocals to shine as he croons, “Everyone gathers round to pay respects, but it’s still just you and my ghost.” I think the best track on the album is “Gun Named Kindness,” which displays the heavier side of the band. The song starts off moody with guitar effects, a trippy drum beat and Thompson crooning before turning into an assault of crunching guitars, rollicking drums and Thompson screaming at the top of his lungs. South Carolina has been known to crank out some really talented artists, such as Emery, Hootie and the Blowfish and Edwin McCain. Polar War could be similar to one of these performers. To get a copy of Polar War’s album, go to one of their shows. Go to www. myspace.com/polarwar for tour date information.

When they were young Graphic by Paul Ricciardi • ricciardp2@winthrop.edu

Upcoming on-campus films: Saturday, Sept. 18: “The Karate Kid”- The remake of the 1984 movie stars Jackie Chan and Will Smith’s son, Jaden Smith. Wednesday, Sept. 22: “Toy Story 3”- The third installment in the series shows how the toys deal with Andy going to college.

CROSSWURD PUZZLE

Across

3. Last name of the faculty advisor for WINR. 4. What special day is on Sept. 17? 6. What object wiped out the first WU radio station? (two words) 9. What is one of the cities in Nicaragua Winthrop students will stay in on the research trip? 10. How many months does WU think it will take to renovate

Down

1. Non-profit organization Elizabeth Miller worked with. (two words) 2. The process Phelps’ has to go through to get a construction company bid. (acronym) 5. Last name of The Johnsonian’s managing editor. 7. What website was former WU employee George Walker using to misuse funds? (two words) 8. The protein that is increased in cancer cells and isn’t present in

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

Special day focuses on America’s past, future By Alexis Austin austina@thejohnsonian.com

It is the reason why people can worship, speak and live freely. The United States Constitution and its amendments are the foundation for American government and the rights of its citizens. On Sept. 17, America will celebrate the signing of the Constitution. Since 2005, Winthrop has celebrated Constitution Day with various events. “Public high schools and those receiving public funding are expected to do something in remembrance of Constitution day,” Karen Kedrowski said. Kedrowski is the chair of the political science department and director of the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy. The John C. West Forum, named after the former governor, is a non-profit organization that promotes civic engagment. The orgnaization was founded in 2002 at the University of South Carolina. In 2008, it was moved to Winthrop. The John C. West Forum hosts the Constitution Day events. This year, the focus will be on the 26th Amendment and young adults’ participation in politics. Bobbi Gentry will be the keynote speaker. Gentry received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from Winthrop in 2004. She is currently an associate professor at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. “Dr. Kedrowski asked me to speak at the event since I have participated in youth voting,” she said. While Gentry attended Winthrop, she became interested in youth voting and political activity. At the time, Winthrop students were not allowed to vote in York County. Gentry helped get the laws changed so students would not have to go home to vote. “Because of Bobbi and her efforts, we discovered that students couldn’t vote in York

County. We are very grateful to her,” Kedrowski said. Gentry said Constitution Day is important, especially at Winthrop. “It’s a good initiative for Winthrop. It’s another way to get students involved,” she said. “It’s an interesting thing we need to think about. There are still things in the Constitution that we are debating.” Kedrowski also agreed. “The Constitution is the fundamental law of the U.S. I agree with what Sen. Robert C. Byrd said: ‘In order to be good, effective citizens, we need to understand the Constitution,’” she said. The 26th Amendment, which allows citizens to vote at the age of 18, is especially important for young adults, Gentry said. “Before the passage of the 26th Amendment, young people were dying in wars but couldn’t vote on leaders who made decisions on who would go to war,” she said. “It gives people a formal voice.” She also said that without the Constitution and the 26th Amendment, the U.S. would be in disastrous state. “We’d be totally lost,” Gentry said. Other ways to get involved in politics exist besides voting, Gentry said. “Addressing human rights and community issues are ways to get involved,” Gentry said. “More importantly, getting an education is the best way to be involved. Students need to know how politics work to fully participate.” The 26th Amendment and Young Adults’ Participation event is at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 in Kinard Auditorium. A reception will follow. It is an approved cultural event.

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

ALEXIS AUSTIN Culture Editor austina@thejohnsonian.com

Did you know? Here are some interesting facts about the Constitution: •The Constitution has 4,400 words. It’s the shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. •Benjamin Franklin was the oldest person to sign the Constitution. He was 81. •James Madison and George Washington were the only presidents to sign the Constitution. •The word “democracy” does not appear in the Constitution. •The Constitution has been changed 17 times since 1791. •The Constitution is not written entirely in English. Latin is used in various parts of the document. •Pennsylvania is an example of the many spelling errors in the Constitiution. It is spelled “Pensylvania.” •Thomas Jefferson did not sign the Constitution. He was in France serving as a U.S. Minister. •George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26, 1789. The holiday was to give “thanks” for the Constitution. Source: www.constitutionfacts.com

Student teaches at-risk children Summer internship brings hands-on experience

INTERN • from front shift,” she said. “This gave me chance to work with children of all ages.” Miller was responsible for relieving teachers during their break times. “The kids attend school year-round, so I had the chance to teach them lessons and participate in recreational activities with them,” she said. Although the children may be housed for a specific disorder, she said she learned it’s more to a child than what’s in his/her chart. “There is never a kid with just one problem,” Miller said. “Every kid is 100 percent unique.” The internship required her to attend three weeks of training before working with the children. “They do a lot of stuff to prepare you,” Miller said. “The situations that they use in training are events that have taken place.” One technique Miller learned taught her how to respond to the children in situations as they continue to escalate. She said she also learned that when working with at-risk children you are there to help them but not be their friend. “There are days where the kids that loved you the day before hate you and the ones that hated you love you,” she said. She was also required to work 40 hours per week. Miller’s day usually began before 5 a.m. “Even though we had to work 40 hours a week, we had the opportunity to go to events that would count toward our hours for the week,” she said. “For example, we went to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. The time that we were there counted toward my 40 hours for that particular week.” Though every day brought something new, Miller said she loved working with the children. “I love Youth Villages,” she said. She said she was offered a position after graduation but may attend graduate school. “I’m looking at graduate school but I would love to work at a Youth Villages outside of Memphis,” Miller said.

Elizabeth Miller (third from right) was one of three interns from South Carolina. Overall, about 80 interns worked at Youth Villages during the summer. Photo Courtesy of Youth Villages • youthvillages.org

10 SPORTS BRIEFS

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

CHRIS McFADDEN Sports Editor mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

MIDFIELDER NAMED TOP 100 TO WATCH

Athletes of the week announced Junior volleyball player Rebecca Toor and junior ross country runner Adam Freudenthal were named athleletes of the week. Toor received All-Tournament honors for her performanced during the 2010 Carolina Challenge. She had 36 kills and 11 blocks during the tournament. Freudenthal help the Eagles to a second place finish at the Western Carolina Invitational. He finished 11 seconds behind the leader.

Women’s soccer players Tricia Vensel and Kylie Long were named to the Big South Conference top 20 players to watch list. Vensel is the team’s leading scorer, while Long is third on the team in shots on goal. The conference ranked Vensel 11th and Long 14th.

Baseball team begin preparation for 2011 season

DODGEBALL • DODGEBALL

A new era for the Winthrop baseball team began September 13 as new coach Tom Riginos and the team opened fall camp. The team will practice Monday-Saturday until Oct. 21-23 when the Winthrop World Series will take place.

Freshman nets accolades Matt Stinson has acquired quite a few accolades in his soccer career, and the freshman midfielder recently added another. Stinson discovered he was chosen for collegesoccernews.com’s yearly list of the Top 100 Freshmen to Watch in a fairly peculiar way. “I saw the list in the locker room; no-one really told me about it,” he said. Stinson said he was “surprised” about the honor because he was unaware that any organization had even done research on freshmen. In fact, College Soccer News was established only 10 years ago, in hope of “increasing the coverage of college soccer throughout the country,” according to its editor Bob Bradner.

Although not part of the NCAA, the organization maintains a wide network of assistant coaches and coaches, who, as well as Matt Stinson the schools and junior clubs themselves, send information and statistics to the website. The staff then develops the top freshmen list according to a list of criteria that must be met, such as leadership on a team, experience and potential. Though its nice to be reconigzed by the organization, Stinson refused to let the honor go to his head. “If you perform wherever you

are people will notice you, and while I appreciate that they know about me, I’m not going to show off now,” he said. Having a humble disposition is a learned trait for the Toronto native. Stinson has been the captain of his Toronto youth team and the MVP of the Canadian Summer Games. He was also called up for the U-20 Canadian National men’s team at the age of 17. “Teammates always keep you humble, especially when receiving awards, but I’ve learned over the years that it’s something I’ve gotten used to and deal with in a good way,” he said. Stinson’s Eagle teammates will be glad to have the freshman grounded in order to focus on the season ahead.

The young Canadian will be tasked with keeping the Winthrop defense clear to aid their offense, which has only converted two goals from 42 shots in their first two matches. Winthrop (1-1) will travel to North Carolina and Tennessee for 3 crucial nonconference matches, hoping their young squad can rebound from a 3-0 loss against the Mercer Bears on Sept. 5. Stinson said he’s not concerned with playing for the glory outside Rock Hill. “Going to North Carolina is a good opportunity,” Stinson said, “but I’m going there to win games. We have to bounce back, so we’re worried about moving forward.”

DODGEBALL • DODGEBALL

Soccer teammates score conference reconigtion

College Soccer News listed Winthrop midfielder Matt Stinson as one of America’s Top 100 Freshmen to Watch. Stinson is from Canada and played on the country’s national under-20 team. Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian. com

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

SPORTS

Volleyball player puts team before individual awards By Chris McFadden

mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Just because you have strong love for a sport, that does not mean someone cannot have a just as strong love for a different sport. Senior volleyball player Kaley Viola is proof of this. The outside hitter intially fell in love with softball, but soon volleyball took over that spot in her heart. “My first love was softball.” I started playing tee ball at a young age,” Viola said. “I really loved it up until I found volleyball.” The change in heart has been successful for Viola. She was recently named to the Big South Conference pre-season All Conference team. Some athletes may have celebrated this accomplishment or bask in the notoriety such an achievement can bring, Viola took it all in stride and shared the spotlight with her teammates. “It’s a great honor but individual rewards like that are never on my mind or a goal that I have,” she said. “I could have never gotten this honor if it wasn’t for my teammates and my coaches.”

The good of the volleyball team is something that is important to Viola as she sees it, because being a team is the only way they will be successful. “Our main team goals are to come together as a team and become one unit, also we want to prove that we can win a conference championship,” she said. An honor such as this might also keep an athlete from striving to continue to try to improve as a player. Viola is not that athlete; she knows she has areas that need work. “One weakness I possess as a player is that I can struggle when things are out of my control,” she said. With this being Viola’s final year, she wants to be remembered for the way she played the game. “I would like to be remembered for beKaley Viola is looking to lead the Eagles to a Big South title. ing a player that was there for my teamPhoto by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com mates, and as an individual who worked hard on and off the court,” she said. “I Viola has developed into one of the team’s leaders want to be remembered as someone who had fun playand will be counted on as the Eagles make their run to ing a great sport.” the conference title.

Academics come before athletics at Winthrop Hearing that another colto give the standard “education lege athlete is involved in is the most important thing” some academic scandal does answer. not make most college fans so These are coaches giving the much as blink now today. expected, politically correct It has come to be accepted answer, when in reality their and some might say expected. players aren’t making the grade The latest academic scandal (only 8 percent of the University involves members of the Uni- Chris McFadden of Maryland basketball players Sports Editor versity of North Carolina Tar earn their degree according to Heels football team. Apparthe NCAA). ently, some players received help from a Winthrop coaches, on the other hand tutor on their tests. put their money where their mouth is. You hear stories of colleges bending According to the NCAA Winthrop men’s their academic admittance standards basketball team had a 75 percent graduso players, who otherwise would not be ation rate). admitted into college, can be admitted Winthrop men and women’s tennis into that school. teams were just named All-Academic Is it any wonder these students need teams by the Intercollegiate Tennis Asextra help to pass their tests? sociation. On the other end of the spectrum are Not to be outdone, the Eagle volleyball schools such as Winthrop, where the team earned the Team Academic Award term student-athlete correctly describes for the 2009-2010 season, which is given its athletes. by the American Volleyball Coaches AsAsk any coach if education is a priorsociation. ity for their athletes and they are likely Overall, according to the NCAA, Win-

throp teams have an 85 percent graduation rate. The graduation rate and the academic awards are something Winthrop athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and students can, and should, be proud of. Winthrop has persuade the novel idea that a university’s main goal is the education of its students, student-athletes included. The university set its athletes up to succeed in the classroom as well on athletic fields. Winthrop provides a learning assistance center, a language learning center, a math lab and a writing center for their student athletes. In addition, athletes have tutors and academic mentoring available to them. While these types of services may not be unique to Winthrop, the proof is in the pudding that our athletes actually take advantage of the help available to them. The situation in UNC is neither the first nor will it be the last of these types

of academic scandals involving studentathletes. The next time you hear how colleges across the country have student-athletes flunking out of school left and right, take solace in the fact that the studentathletes at your school are representing you just as well in the classroom as on the athletic battlefield.

“”

Overall, according to the NCAA Winthrop teams have an 85 percent graduation rate .

Intramural Dates Disc Golf

Sept. 17

2:00 p.m. Register at disc golf course @ 1:30 p.m.

Co-Rec Softball Sept. 20

N/A

Raquetball

N/A

Sept. 20

Punt, Pass, Kick Sept. 21

6:30 p.m. Register on recreational fields

Co-rec softball and racuquetball require pre-registration. Go to the

recreational services website for registration forms. For more information on any sport, contact Neil Ostlund at ostlundn@winthrop.edu or call 803-323-2354.

THURSDAY September 16, 2010

THE JOHNSONIAN