Winthrop University
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Friendship Nine records cleared
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Winthrop junior with a lifetime of knowledge Carolyn Rennix rennixc@mytjnow.com
All members of the Friendship Nine had their records cleared Wednesday for 1961 sit-in at Rock Hill restaurant.
Civil rights protesters have names cleared of crime after 1961 sit-in Carolyn Rennix rennixc@mytjnow.com The Friendship Nine protestors had their criminal records cleared after over five decades following their arrest. The “No Room for Racism” proclamation and lists of the names of the Friendship Nine members were placed on street signs at the entrances to the city of Rock Hill. The signs were revealed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day along Dave Lyle Boulevard, Main Street and Saluda Street. The signs posted across town on MLK Day are a symbol that the Friendship Nine members can
Eric Hammett/ The Johnsonian
consider Rock Hill their home. In 1961, the Friendship Nine were a group of African-American men who protested at an all-white lunch counter at the old McCrory’s department store in downtown Rock Hill. The group of men simply sat at the all-white counter and refused to move from their claimed seats. The protesters were convicted of trespassing and breach of peace and served jail time for 30 days, opting out of bail. The Friendship Nine’s story was quickly spread across the United States, which became a civil rights movement known as the “jail, not bail” strategy. Nearly 54 years later, the Friendship Nine member’s criminal records were expunged at the Rock Hill City Court on Wednesday. The Friendship Nine included Robert McCullough, John Gaines, Thomas Gaither, Clarence Graham, W.T. “Dub” Massey, Willie McCleod, James Wells, David Williamson Jr. and Mack Workman.
History permeates our everyday lives
Staff writer reminds us to pay attention to what’s happening around us Dave Birley Staff Writer Have you thought much about history lately? There are a number of great courses on the subject available at Winthrop, and perhaps
you are one of the people who already enjoys one of those. For the rest of the world, it is possible that history is a school subject replete with names, dates and places, overshadowed by a blanket of boredom. When I was in my first school in 1942, I was taught to repeat the little invocation: “William the First, William the Second, Henry the First and Steeeeeeeeven.” I suppose that for my 8-yearold mind, the entertainment of extending of the vowel in the fourth name was enticing, but it certainly did guarantee that 72 years later I still remember it. These were the names of the four Kings of England who kicked off my entry into the world of British history.
They were members of the Normans, a royal dynasty started with William the Conqueror and ended when somebody else took things over. Now, here is the deficiency in that recollection. I had to use Google to recall the name of the dynasty, the Normans. I have no idea who followed after these guys. If it weren’t for “Steeeeeeeeeven,” I wouldn’t even remember their names. Later in my schooling, I was able to score the absolute lowest mark possible on a history test when I got every question wrong and even spelled my name wrong.
see HISTORY pg. 5
Usually tucked away in the corner of DiGiorgio Campus Center (DIGS), this 80-year-old junior mulls over his editorials for the school paper. Dave Birley first enrolled at Winthrop University in the spring of 2013 as a first-time college student. In 2010, Birley retired from his longtime career as a professional photographer and decided to hit the books with his wife, Anita Birley, who is also a student at Winthrop. During his first semester at Winthrop, Birley began to realize how different school is from when he was in high school. It also came as a shock to Birley that within his first year as a photography major, he was only allowed to draw and to never pick up a camera. After shortly realizing that drawing was not his strongest ability, Birley switched his major to English, in order to follow his passion for writing. “I was a professional photographer for over 60 years,” Birley said. “But I very quickly proved that I no talent what so ever for drawing and that’s when I decided to switch to an English major.” Originally from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Birley graduated from high school at age 15. The early graduate was too young to even be considered for college so he decided to travel.
see BIRLEY pg. 3
Winthrop poll results released Daniel James jamesd@mytjnow.com Students gathered in a large lecture hall to learn about key statistics of South Carolina from Scott Huffman, political science professor and director of the Winthrop Poll who hosted the event. According to the WU Poll results, in the 2012 primary elections, black men statistically favored Obama, female votes were split 3 ways between Obama, Clinton and undecided. Huffman said that this is important
because the statistics imply that women’s votes will be crucial in the 2016 nation election. While 46 percent of South Carolinians surveyed voted for Obama, his overall approval is at 40 percent, which is below the national average. Despite his low approval in the state, Congress has a much lower approval rating with 14.1 percent. Huffman noted that despite Congressional disapproval, over 40 percent of the winning candidates in the last election returned.
see WU POLL pg. 8
Index: News 3 | Opinion 5 | Sports 6 | Arts & Culture 8 | Business 10 | Science & Tech 11
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January 29, 2015
According to a poll by the Associated Press and MTV, 85 percent of college students feel stressed on a daily basis. Additionally, 74 percent feel stressed about grades. The poll also showed that 60 percent of college students have felt so much stress to the point of not being able to get work done. Some of the other stress factors were financial worries, family, relationships. While college exams and tests can be stressful, there are ways to prepare for what is to come.
Tips to Reduce Anxiety before an Exam • Get a good night’s sleep before an exam. • Do not take an exam on an empty stomach. Try to avoid food with artificial sweeteners, chocolate, eggs, and similar snack food. Fruit and vegetables are recommended. • Strive for a relaxed state of concentration. Do not converse with fellow students if you know it will distract your preparation. Tips During the Exam • Read the directions carefully • Budget your allotted test taking time • If you go blank on a question, consider skipping it and coming back to it if you have time • Do not panic if other students start handing in their exams before you. There is no reward for finishing first. If you find yourself getting anxious during a test: • Relax. Take deep breaths and remember you are in control. • Do not think about the fear. Focus on the next step and keep on task. • Use positive reinforcement. You have gotten this far, keep going. Expect some anxiety, but try to keep it under control. If you feel like you may be experiencing problems with test anxiety alert your professor because there may be other options to assess your knowledge. If you have been diagnosed with a learning or physical disability you are able to take tests separately from the class in the test center. If you are currently not being accommodated for these disabilities, contact the office of disabilities services in Crawford or call them at (803) 323-2206.
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NEWS
theJohnsonian
Carolyn Rennix/ The Johnsonian
Dave Birley pondered on his life before Winthrop and explains why he decided to attend the university, even so late in his life. “My mother lived to be 104 years old, and I have a very large number of ancestors who were blessed with longevity. So, life is a curiosity to me,” Birley said.
The man behind curmudgeon Birley• from front
An 80-year-old student discusses his years before, during his college experience Youthful Birley traveled to study at a private school in New England and “one adventure led to another” he ended up in East Africa. It was here where he learned to speak Swahili and became an interpreter for Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studios. Birley explained how his only way to survive in a small village in Nairobi, Africa, was to adapt and learn their language. “To put things into perspective, I was a minority within a minority,” Birley said. “There was a population of 2,500 people, only eight were white and I was the only one who spoke English.” After spending his 18th birthday in East Africa, Birley got back on a plane to England. Birley laughed and reminisced on how he lost every dime to his name in a game of poker on the plane heading back to England. From there, the ambitious young man became involved in movies and photography, which then led him to the southern tip of Spain, known as “The Rock.”
“In a number of ways, I believe I have a breath of world knowledge, from personal experience, that probably transcends what many of my instructors even have,” Birley said. He also enlisted in the Royal Air Force in England in his early twenty’s, which is when he began writing articles that were published in magazines. Birley joked about how he was published more often before he even took a writing course. “The first 14 articles I wrote and submitted to magazines were published, which is completely ridiculous,” Birley said. “I started taking a creative writing course and for the next 8 years, I never had a single thing accepted.” Birley did not receive his first rejection letter until he was 24 years old. Following his somewhat smorgasbord of jobs, Birley eventually followed his path as professional photographer. After attempting success in the photography business 12 times, Birley admits that he failed all every time. “I’m very consistent,” Birley joked. “One of the things I learned the hard way, is that if you are going to be in the photography business, it is really helpful if you know something about business.” Aside from his failed business attempts, Birley always had a talent and interest with photography. “My mother was a portrait painter and my father was an architect. I wasn’t particularly interested in creating buildings, so I took up photography when I was only 12 years old,” Birley said. After settling in the states, Birley
found his home for 15 years in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Like many would imagine, Birley did face many obstacles when he first attended college. “When I started my first semester, I didn’t know if I was going to go through with it; I didn’t know if I could cut it,” Birley said. Even with mild onset Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Birley described how he “managed to stumble along” and currently has a 3.19 GPA. Another obstacle Birley had to overcome was due to his physical condition when he originally enrolled as a student. Birley has a condition in his foot known as, “foot drop,” which literally means that when he walks, his foot drops. “Getting around campus was difficult with walking sticks and such,” Birley said. However, Birley raved that he has greatly improved after using the West Center facilities and receiving guidance from a student physical therapist. Birley also acknowledged how thoroughly he enjoys spending time in the DiGs lobby, where he can witness the energy of the students. “I really enjoy just the ambiance and atmosphere of it,” he said. “There is an energy in here. Sometimes its nearly empty and other times there is horde of people. It’s amazing.” Birley also said he enjoys observing the diversity on campus. “One of the things that I discovered in my first year is there is such a tremendous breath of different people here,” Birley said. “It is a microcosm of a community and just as when you get out into the
real world.” Although Birley does not fit in with the “usual” college student age ratio, he said he believes Winthrop has an outstanding attitude towards older students. “I would say if anything Winthrop is exceptionally accommodating… they put up with me,” he joked. Birley also described his experience in the classroom and being amongst younger professionals and classmates. “It’s amusing to be in classes where the instructors are younger than my children and the students are certainly younger than my grandchildren,” Birley said. “It’s definitely an interesting experience.” When asked what he plans to do after graduating from Winthrop with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Birley revealed a “horrible confession” that he is considering attending graduate school. “Who the heck is going to hire an 83-year-old? Nobody, not for anything; it would be utterly asinine,” he said. So why are there not more “nontraditional” students at Winthrop? Birley described why he believes that many of the retired generation do not attend college. “Some of them think they have been working all their lives and they want to do nothing,” Birley said. “And my attitude is the alternative: becoming a couch potato and watching daytime TV? That’s no life at all; that’s a death certificate.” When Birley is not busy writing attending courses and writing his editorials under the name “Curmudgeon,” Birley enjoys gardening on his land, reading Shakespeare and theatre and surfing the Internet.
Winthrop’s presidential search continues Students look for strong, active and visible leader as the university’s 11th president By Catherine Lowe lowec@mytjnow.com Seven months after the termination of President Jamie Comstock Williamson, Winthrop University is still searching for a suitable replacement. Kathy Bigham and John Bird, cochairs of the Winthrop Presidential Search, sent out an announcement
Tuesday to the Winthrop Community regarding this issue. This statement indicated that the second phase of the search is progressing and that the Board of Trustees has many candidates who will be a proper fit. In the beginning, more than 140 people applied for the position. These individuals were nominated by others and were also contacted by the search consultant Bill Funk of R. William Funk and Associates. Currently there are 80 individuals who are considered as appropriate and sustainable candidates. The Board of Trustees plans to conduct confidential interviews in February to the semifinalist contenders. The search committee plans on recommending three to five finalists who will be invited to campus in late February or early March. These
Carolyn Rennix | News Editor rennixc@mytjnow.com
visits will conclude the third phase of the presidential search. During these visits, the candidates will present their ideas for Winthrop in a public forum and will answer questions from the audience. These presentations will be filmed so that citizens who are unable to attend will be able to hear the candidates’ plans. The Board of Trustees believes that they have a tough decision because all candidates express very diverse backgrounds. The school is looking for a candidate who expresses interest in accumulating student enrollment and who will also be able to raise more money through fundraisers. Students, on the other hand, are looking for a president who will pay close attention to the Winthrop study body. Sophomore Victor Volious said
that he wants a president who is genuinely concerned about the students and faculty. “I feel like a president should care about the students and their opinions and what they want on campus,” Volious said. Junior Michaela Dunbar said that she would want someone who is going to be a positive influence among the college students. “I personally would like a strong leader who will be active and visible on campus,” Dunbar said, “Someone who listens to the students and helps Winthrop continue to grow and excel.” Questions regarding the search should be emailed to presidentsearch@winthrop.edu More information on the search for Winthrop’s next president is available at http://www.winthrop. edu/presidentsearch.
Catherine Lowe | Assistant News Editor lowec@mytjnow.com
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January 29, 2015
WU students get slapped with SNAP challenge Students survive off of $29.40 for food and beverages for one week By Carolyn Rennix rennixc@mytjnow.com On the fifth day, Miranda Jartman and Jackie Lambert, Winthrop students, admitted that they had already given up and could not survive longer than a week. Winthrop University human nutrition graduate students, Kelley Rob and Tyler Wallace, conducted a research project, the Winthrop SNAP Challenge, which evaluated what it is like to live the life of someone reliant on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP.) With only two days left to complete the challenge, Jartman confessed that she did not budget properly for the week. “I already spent most of my money, so I’ll probably be forced to give up,” Jartman said. Nearly 46 million people, roughly 15 percent of the United State’s population, are reliant on SNAP. “SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities,” according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website. Although SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net, the average person dependent on SNAP only lives off approximately $29.40 each week for food. Students who accepted the Winthrop SNAP Challenge were required to spend no more than $29.40 on food and beverages during the sevenday period, from Jan. 22-28. Participants were unable to accept free food, eat food purchased prior to the project (excluding spices and seasonings) and were required to keep receipts in order to keep track of their budget. These students were also encouraged to blog about their daily experiences, struggles and achievements on the Winthrop SNAP Challenge blog. On the first day of the project, manyof the bloggers seemed optimistic about the challenging week ahead. “Today I started my day with a banana instead of my usual (pop tart or granola bar) breakfast,” said education major Brent Wilson. “This allowed me to not only eat a little
healthier but to also save a little money compared to my usual breakfast foods.” During the second day of the challenge, human nutrition graduate student Jessica Lawrence blogged that she already had to change her weekend dinner plans due to her strict budget. “I had to change some plans that I had made a while ago,” Lawrence said. “I was disappointed but was grateful that I did not have to explain why I couldn’t attend.” Halfway through the week, junior human nutrition major Erin Lawler provided the fellow challengers and bloggers with some words of wisdom. “An adaptable perspective can turn any challenge into a rewarding experience,” Lawler said. As the human nutrition students neared the end of the challenge they began to express their cravings for coffee and food variety. “The biggest challenge for me has been avoiding food already in my pantry, like chocolate and my ‘good’ coffee,” said graduate student Tyler Harding. On Jan. 25, senior Mandy Boyd wrote on the blog about her greatest challenges during the week thus far. “The biggest challenge so far is sticking to the plan that I mapped out ahead of time,” Boyd said. “It is very repetitive and is hard to stick to when you would rather have something else besides soup, rice and vegetables.” Boyd also described how living in a dorm did make meal preparation an obstacle. “It is especially hard because I live on campus and don’t have access to an oven, only a microwave,” Boyd said. “I am trying to think of other ways to combine the items that I bought to get more variety, but it is challenging.” One of the researchers, Kelley Rob, also completed the SNAP Challenge for the first time. Rob described why she decided to conduct and participate in the challenge. “My interest in this project stemmed from wearable technology with nutrition,” Rob said. “I also am also interested in technology, nutrition and education, so this opportunity really presented itself.” Rob said she hopes this challenge will make people more aware about how difficult it can for people who are dependent on SNAP. To view the participants’ blog posts, visit http://winthropsnapchallenge.blogspot.com. Althea Holenko/ The Johnsonian
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January 29, 2015
Writers debate Tillman Hall renaming Let’s change ourselves, not Tillman Dear Editor: Byrnes. Hampton. Hagood. Rutledge. Tillman. Thurmond. McConnell. All those names send chills through many black Americans’ bones who do not like their radical political views and sometimes culturally crass rhetoric. Still, those are people that gave selflessly to this state to put it in a position to be filled with the awesomeness that we yearned for in the beginning. MLK, Cosby and Thomas. Those three people have brought much inspiration to all Americans, but they are some of the most frequently-accused womanizers in the black community. Should we try to erase their legacy? On another note, the monarchy of the Brits will forever influence this land we call America no matter how much we distance ourselves from it. They are the conceptual structure behind our three branches of government. Plus, we cannot forget about our founding fathers, who had slaves; their works for America are invaluable. Thinking even further back in history, about 90 percent of Americans’ religion Christianity we read a holy book that was written mostly by three people who committed murder: David, Moses and Paul.
Thus, who do we think we are to try to rename buildings in which the name bestowed upon it has made contributions that are irreplaceable? Everyone has their miscues and blunders. It would be unfair to try to determine what faults are disqualifying and what is appropriate. We cannot try to subtract what these men have done for higher education in South Carolina by measuring their possible inequities to appease some people. God is using them to teach South Carolina lessons in humanity — we should respect them for doing the best they could. Once we come together and realize that we are all imperfect people journeying to our destinies, we can glean from what these figures have brought to the table. Trying to eradicate their names from buildings, and rededicating them with the names of people who have transgressions of their own is beyond our power and capacity in judgment. The vast history of our state and America should be viewed as a path of progression, not an obliteration of the journey we took to make this a more perfect union. Our brokenness is our inherent connection as human beings — let’s not try to replace that. JORDAN COOPER Senior History Major, USC
History dictates Tillman renaming Note: The following letter was written about Clemson University, our sister school, which also has a Tillman Hall. However, the themes are just as applicable to Winthrop. Dear Editor: I’m an alumnus of Clemson University. I’m working on a master’s degree at Winthrop. Seeing Winthrop’s Tillman Hall helped me feel at ease at a new school where I didn’t know anybody. Every time I go home — because that’s what Clemson is to me — I get chills when I drive past Tillman Hall on 93. The image of Tillman Hall recalls to my mind autumn days lying in a hammock under the burly oak trees by Bowman field. It’s where the officially unofficial Clemson disc golf course begins and ends. It’s where generations of students have broadened their minds and prepared to impact this state and this nation. It’s the background of ESPN’s College GameDay. It’s on the front of post cards, it’s on the back of t-shirts, and it’s in the center of so many minds and hearts. That’s what the building is. That’s the spirit of the place that so many have fallen in love with, and nothing that this world could bring or anything someone could do can ever take that away from the Clemson family. Believe it or not, nobody wants to. The issue at hand is not about taking things away from Clemson University. This issue is about extending the spirit of Clemson, and of Winthrop, to all those who would seek it. “But AJ, it’s history and tradition and whatnot!” I know. History is important. In large part we are a product of those who came before us. There probably wouldn’t have been a Clemson College without Benjamin Tillman. We’ve got that to thank him for. He was integral to the agriculture industry all across the state — props for that too. But if we are going to hang our hats on history we should look closely at the story it tells. On March 23, 1900, in a speech to the United States Senate, Benjamin “Pitchfork” Tillman, speaking of black men, said: “. . . As to his ‘rights’ — I will not discuss them now. We of the South have never recognized the right of the negro to govern white men, and we never will. We have never believed him to be equal to the white man, and we will not submit to
his gratifying his lust on our wives and daughters without lynching him. I would to God the last one of them was in Africa and that none of them had ever been brought to our shores. But I will not pursue the subject further . . .” In 1902 Ben Tillman punched another Senator in the face — repeatedly. He was censured and suspended from the Senate. He got the name nickname “Pitchfork” for threatening to stab the president of the United States with one if he didn’t fix the economy. The stories and the quotes go on and on. Ben Tillman was a racist man — a violent man. That’s history. This is not a man that represents what Clemson stands for. This is not a man who embodied the values of the High Seminary. Here’s a little bit more history. The name “Tillman Hall” was bestowed upon the building in 1946. It was built in 1894. The name of the building isn’t really all that historical. A little more history, if you can bear it: there are people alive today who remember when they were legally prohibited from entering certain stores, restaurants, schools, movie theaters, pools and museums. There are people alive today who remember when they were not deemed fit to drink out of the same water fountains as white people. Clemson didn’t admit black students until 1963. There are people alive today who were told they couldn’t be a part of the Clemson family because of the color of their skin. These rememberers are the parents and grandparents of your classmates and your friends. This movement to change the name of Tillman Hall isn’t coming from an abstract, far away branch of the Politically Correct Police. The protest was generated by colleagues, classmates, friends and neighbors with real names and real hurt, members of the Clemson community who love the university and want the name of its most iconic building to represent what Clemson strives to be. Clemson needs some healing. We all need some healing. Maybe changing the name of Tillman Hall will help. I don’t know; I don’t have all the answers. I will always be proud of Clemson. I want everyone to be able to say that. AJ ZEILSTRA Graduate student
History is made every day — be a part of it HISTORY • from front So what was going on in the world at that time? There was a world war involving Nazi Germany in Europe and Japan in the Far East. Here are some things in science that were also going on: • The first safe self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was accomplished by Erico Fermi, Edward Teller and Leo Szilard at the University of Chicago; • Harvard University chemist Louis F. Fieser invented napalm, a jelly-like mixture of gasoline and
palm oils that sticks to its target until it burns out; • Radar comes into operational use; • The U.S. government established the Manhattan Project, led by Robert Oppenheimer, to coordinate ongoing American efforts to design and build the atomic bomb. Does some of that sound to you like history — the stuff you learned about in school? It was going on while I was at school, and I was totally oblivious of it. I would guess that there isn’t a single person on the Winthrop campus who doesn’t recall the events of September 11, 2001 —
Trey Stokes | Opinion Editor stokest@mytjnow.com
9/11. New York City was attacked by passenger planes. Have you ever considered writing down your impressions of that day? How you felt? What you thought or feared might be coming next? Almost 400 years earlier, a young man named Samuel Pepys was confronted by a massive disaster in 1666 known as the Great Fire of London; Google him and you can read his account of the event as though it were being reported on the nightly news. And just as Pepys was living in history, you are today. So how about making a little history yourself? Have you noticed the beautifully
aged bricks on the 120-year-old exterior of the Crawford Building? Bricks can survive for quite a while. Have you looked at the bricks along Scholars Walk? Have you observed that about 1,500 of them have inscriptions cut into them? You could make some history, too, by purchasing a brick. Up to three lines of up to 14 characters each (including spaces), and your brick could occupy one of the 25,000 total spaces on the walk. Student Services in Tillman can help you do it, and the price of $125 is amazingly affordable to be included in the history of Winthrop. Just remember to be remembered!
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January 29, 2015
Redemption at Radford? Men’s basketball looking to make up for home loss in Saturday tilt with Highlanders
Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian
Junior Josh Davenport drives to the lane in the Eagles’ home game against Radford on Jan. 17. Winthrop fell 85-77 in that contest.
Eagles look for payback in Saturday road trip as conference play hits home stretch
By Michael Owens owensm@mytjnow.com
Editor’s Note: The results of last night’s game at Coastal Carolina were unavailable as of press date. Stats are as of Jan. 27. The month of February has always proven to be a vital one for the sport of college basketball. As time continues to tick away towards the madness of March, the regular season’s final stretch can provide moments that can shape how a team looks back on their campaign. This is where the Winthrop men’s basketball team finds themselves, on the cusp of having one of those moments as the calendar turns to a new month, but they will first look to finish off an impressive January on the road against Radford. Keys for Winthrop For the Eagles, it’s all about getting points early and often. Winthrop ranks within the top 50 teams in the nation in scoring, but are fifth in the league in scoring defense during conference play.
Keeping the lead will also be a big factor in Saturday’s matchup. Winthrop has held leads and lost them throughout the season. Closing things out will once again be vital for the Eagles to finish out a road trip with a victory. Last Time Out A clear example of Winthrop not being able to hold on to a lead was back on Jan. 17 against Radford. Winthrop held a lead by as much as 10 in the first half, and then 12 in the second half, only for the visitors to make key runs throughout the late first, and full second half in order to finish the Eagles off. Highlanders riding high Radford has been the team of surprises so far in the Big South. After dropping their first three conference games, the Highlanders have won five straight, led by Javonte Green’s 18 points and 8 boards per game in conference play. The Highlanders will come into Saturday with a game against Charleston Southern under their belt, as the Bucs are one of the hottest teams in the conference thus far. Winthrop will come in after their one guranteed crack at rivals Coastal Carolina this year in Conway.
Winthrop at Radford Date: Jan. 31 Time: 4 p.m. TV: Big South Network Radio: 104.1 The Bridge Follow @TJWU_Sports for live updates
Women’s basketball survives Tuesday thriller at Longwood By Michael Owens owensm@mytjnow.com
Men’s Tennis at Wofford, 1/30 | 2:30 p.m. Track & Field at Thundering Herd Open, 1/30 Women’s Basketball vs. Charleston Southern, 1/31 | 1 p.m. Women’s Tennis at College of Charleston, 2/1 | 12 p.m.
The Winthrop women’s basketball team survived a scare from one of the lower teams in the Big South standings. The Eagles used a second half scoring surge and clutch free-throw shooting from Aliyah Kilpatrick to move past Longwood by a 65-64 final on the road. Winthrop was led in scoring by sophomore Erica Williams, who put up 18 points and grabbed 12 boards. Schaquilla Nunn was not far behind, scoring 14 with 17 rebounds. Kilpatrick rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points, which included her only two free throws of the night with just six
seconds to go. Winthrop found themselves down by 12 at the half, but an early surge in the second half led by the top scorers and senior Samiya Wright proved to be enough to lead the Eagles to a vital win. They also never had a lead in the game until late in the second half, as a pair free throws from Williams put them up 55-53 with just 5:37 to go. As a team, the Eagles shot 46.6 percent from the field, and won the rebound battle (47-24). Winthrop also shot 81.3 percent from the free throw line in the win. The Eagles (11-9, 7-4 Big South) return home Saturday to face Charleston Southern at 1 p.m. inside the Winthrop Coliseum.
Women’s Basketball at Campbell, 2/2 | 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Charleston Southern, 2/2 | 8 p.m. Men’s Golf SeaBest Invitational, 2/2 | TBA Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian
Michael Owens | Interim Sports Editor owensm@mytjnow.com
Sophmore Erica Williams during Winthrop’s home contest against Furman on Nov. 17. She had her ninth doubledouble of the season in the Eagles’ 65-64 win over Longwood on Tuesday night.
7 January 29, 2015
Call to the Hall
Nine former Eagles had their place in history cemented by becoming members of the Winthrop Hall of Fame
Winthrop Athletics
Ana Paula Novaes Women’s Tennis • 2006 Big South Women’s Tennis Player of the Year • All-Big South singles selection (20042007) • Three-time Big South Conference champion • 50+ career match wins
Jennifer (Churchill) Bruce Women’s Basketball • One of only two players in Winthrop history to earn all Big-South honors three or more times • Two time All-Big South tournamnet selection • Holds the school record for field goal percentage in a single season (.583)
Bob Masella Men’s Soccer • Played only one season before automobile accident • All-time leader single-season save percentage (.896) • Three-time U.S. Open doubles champion in wheelchair tennis after Winthrop
Kyle Christman Men’s Golf • 2002 Big South Golfer of the Year • Three-time Big South Academic Team member • Tied for seventh on the all-time Big South Tournamnet list with a 54hole score of 211 (2002).
Dimi Poulos Women’s Soccer • First Winthrop women’s soccer player to be inducted • 2006 Big South Conference Player of the Year • Four-time All-Big South goalkeeper
Pierre Wooten Men’s Basketball • Member of 19992003 Big South Championship teams • Member of first Winthrop’s men’s basketball team to make NCAA Tournamnet • 2002 Big South Conference Tournament MVP
Taryn Surbaugh Volleyball • 2006 Big South Player of the Year • Led Winthrop to four striaght Big South Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances (20032006) • Winthrop leader in career attack percentage and block assists
Ian Cardey Men’s Soccer • First Winthrop women’s soccer player to be inducted • 2006 Big South Conference Player of the Year • Four-time All-Big South goalkeeper
Tim Raxter Men’s Basketball • Member of the first Winthrop men’s basketball team. • 94-43 record in four years (197982) • Led Eagles to a school record 31 wins in 1980-81.
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WU POLL • from front He said that this is likely because of three major factors. The first is belief that the enemy that you know is better than the enemy you don’t. “These people are bad enough, but just think about how bad these people are,” Huffman joked. Partisanship plays a major role as does gerrymandering, the drawing of districts to effect voting. Huffman also said that while opinions about congressmen are split, each is supported by his constituents. “Members of Congress are beloved, but Congress is hated,” said Huffman. Senator Lindsey Graham was found to have an approval of 45.4 percent, which is only about 10 points above disapproval. Huffman said that the reason for this is likely Graham’s position on immigration reform. While similar to policies of George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, the Tea Party vocally opposed the position, calling it “Grahamnisty.” Tim Scott, however, won his first election with an approval of 58.1 percent. Scott was picked by Haley to act as senator when his predecessor Jim DeMint joined a think tank. A key factor to Scot’s popularity is the fact that he is the first black Republican senator of South Carolina since the end of Reconstruction. He has
also earned a great deal of the Republican vote due to his policies, according to Huffman. After speaking on each of the elected officials of South Carolina, Huffman spoke about current issues. According to the results, education and jobs are both tied for most important issue. Despite this, the leading concern of Democrats was education and the economy, which took third place for Republicans. Probably the most prominent issue covered in this year’s poll is women’s rights. Huffman said that while South Carolina is often seen as a major Republican state and many think that men turn a blind eye to women’s issues, many of the statistics suggest otherwise. Women perceive the feminist movement’s goal as seeking equality over 58 percent. 50 percent of men say the same. As to the perception that feminists seek special treatment, 28.5 percent of women and 35.1 percent of men saw this as the case. When asked if they thought that women face discrimination, 85.5 percent of men and 88.5 percent of women said that they think that women do, in fact, face discrimination and 43 percent of men say that women have worse opportunities in the workforce, despite similar education and experience. Over 70 percent of both men and women also said that women should be paid the same as men. Huffman did say that much of the support came when a caveat about allowing for different pay based on seniority and job performance. Over 46 percent of men and women also said that the state government seems to be out of touch with the needs of women. While numbers are improving for feeling safe walking alone at night with men at 84 percent and women at 62.6 percent, Huffman said that having 35.4 percent of women
feeling that they are not safe shows that there is still room for improvement that local and state governments are going to have to address. “The problem is that men feel much safer than women,” said Huffman. Huffman said that women are murdered by their romantic partner more in South Carolina than any other state. Huffman said that men’s perception of domestic violence was low with about 60 percent saying that instances of it are rare. While it true that statistically female on male violence is the fastest growing, the numbers still pale in comparison to male on female domestic violence. Regarding perception of whether or not the South Carolina government is effectively combating domestic violence, the vast majority of both men and women do not think that the government is doing enough with almost 60 percent of all interviewed saying that more could be done. Huffman said that he started the poll in 2006 in order to give political science students a chance to gain hands-on research methods in political research surrounding current issues. “Students should have a chance to do real research that makes a difference,” Huffman said. The current Winthrop Poll takes results up to November 2014. Over 852 adult South Carolinians were interviewed with a margin of error of approximately 3.4 percent. Winthrop Poll has contributed to the politics in the past. According to Huffman, Nikky Haley’s recent proposal to lower the income tax and raise the gas tax was inspired, in part, by findings in the poll. The poll has also aided in the legalization of cannabadiol, although cannabis is illegal whether it is for medical use or otherwise. Cannabidol is an extract of marijuana that is used in the treatment of seizure disorders such as epilepsy. In the past the poll showed that there was vast opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana, but support for medical marijuana was split down the middle. Legalizaing cannabidol, which does not cause euphoria, was legalized as a compromise.
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Teachers research student learning in non-native environment Daniel James jamesd@mytjnow.com “We have more than 30 languages represented in our schools,” said Coordinator of the middle level education major Kelly Costner. As a part of Winthrop’s Research Trends series, the College of Education hosted an event to show the importance of forming effective teaching strategies for teaching non-native English speakers in Withers Feb. 26. The event began with watching a video from immersionfilm.com. In the video, a young boy named Moises is attending an elementary school math class in America. Even though he is smart enough to understand the formulae and key concepts, he struggles in class due to the language barrier. Because his primary language is Spanish, he has difficulty with word problems, whether written or oral. “This is totally linked with what I live,” said French international student Guillaume Herlin. “This is what I face every day.” Costner announced that to compliment the video, attendees were going to go through an exercise. He passed out square pieces of
red paper and instructed each of the attendees to listen to vocal commands on what to do with the paper. A voice with a heavy English accent told how to fold the paper. At the end, most of the origami shapes were vastly different, despite everyone receiving the same commands. Attendees were then asked to try following the instructions again, this time with video. Everyone did much better and most of the folds looked the same. Through discussion, participants found that the differences between the two examples had a major effect on their ability to follow along. The video had distracting jazz music in the background that caught many people. The second time, the video not only had visual cues, but also captions that added to ability to follow along. Another thing that helped is that the video was put into context through a title page explaining what was being folded and showing a picture of it. “It isn’t just the language you have to get a feel for,” said Schneider. “You need to get a feel for the culture.” Because many people in America today do not use
pocket pyramids, and most who do don’t create their own, when the speaker simply said pocket pyramid, most did notice as it is not an active part of the culture. One portion of the video still caused problems, however. “There was one step that did not have a command or caption,” Costner said. “He had no regard that we may not speak the same dialogue.” Schneider said that this is a major issue in schools that brings professors to incorrectly think that a student is simply not trying as they seem to talk fine on the playground but freeze in the classroom, but this is actually due to the difference in Basic Interpersonal Communication Skill and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency. BICS is a term that means social language, which is the language used in situations like going to the store, playing at recess, using public transportation or visiting a doctor. This form of language generally takes 2 to 3 years to reach fluency. Herlin said that while he does well speaking in a casual environment, there is still difficulty in the classroom due to the language
barrier and stress. “The class environment is different,” Herlin said. “When I am asked to get up and speak in front of 30 people, I will stress a bit.” CALP refers to academic language which is what is generally used in a school environment. It is fluency to the point that written texts can be proficiently analyzed, word problems can be understood and pronunciation is accurate. According to Schneider, this form of language takes at least 7 years and increases the less formal education the student has had. Acculturation, the process of psychological change that results from the meeting of another culture, also has a major effect. When it starts out, it is exciting, but eventually culture shock hits and perceived competence in the language falls. According to Schneider and Costner, for those entering into a learning environment that uses a language other than their native language, there are several stages of language acquisition. In the first phase, there is no verbal response whatsoever as the students is still trying to focus on learning the words. Herlin said that he began
learning English before coming to Winthrop due to his brother living in England. Despite this, he said that it was still a struggle to go to class in an Englishspeaking environment. “[The French Students] could barely understand what the teacher was saying at the beginning,” Herlin said. “We could barely understand a word or even a sentence.” After some time, the student may give responses of only one or two words. The student then moves to short phrases to using complex sentences to fluency comparable to native speakers. According to Schneider, the time that students spend in each stage changes from person to person based on personal history, education and similarities between languages and cultures. The hosts stressed that any education majors that want to integrate content designed to help both non-native speakers and others struggling with reading or writing to look into Winthrop’s Masters of Education Program. Those interested in learning more may contact Kavin Ming at mingk@winthrop.edu or Elke Schneider at schneidere@winthrop.edu.
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Special is our specialty. Before the sun comes up, our scratch-made bread is in our Bakery ovens. Before the store opens, we’re handcrafting desserts, designed to delight. Our Produce Associates are selecting the freshest, juiciest fruit and cutting it by hand to prepare our Fresh Cut Fruit Salads. We’re always stocking the Deli with premium meats and cheeses, Boar’s Head® and Publix Brand, and the freshest toppings to layer on your favorite, made-to-order sub. Because, before you come back, we want to give you every delicious reason to.
charlotte.publix.com
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Newly designed glasses restore sight in legally blind eSight provides a way for the legally blind to assert more control over their lives, activities and hobbies By Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com With the assistance of a pair of specialized glasses, a legally blind mother was able to see her newborn on the day of his birth. Legally blind since age 11, Kathy Beitz suffers from macular degeneration, according to ABC News. While not completely blind, Beitz has a blind spot in the center of her vision, which was enhanced by a newly invented pair of glasses called eSight. Although the glasses are normally $15,000, Beitz received hers through eSight’s fundraising program. "For the first baby that I get to actually look at being my own is very overwhelming," Beitz said. Developed by an independent company, eSight serves as a method of enhanced vision for legally blind individuals. According to the company, eSight is the only technology of its type, although its
creation is recent enough that many eye specialists have not yet heard about what it can do for the visionimpaired. “Our clients say that the effects are remarkable: blind spots disappear, faces that haven’t been seen in years snap into focus, books and other entertainment are suddenly accessible and complete freedom of movement is returned,” said eSight on their company website. “Every eSight user has their own inspiring story of success to tell. Our clients tell us all the time that eSight is truly life-changing.” The glasses work by using a highspeed camera and video processing software to project a real-time image
that allows the legally blind to see. Although legally blind individuals retain a small amount of eyesight, the eyes do not produce enough of a signal for the brain to recognize. The glasses enhance this eyesight, resulting in enhanced vision for legally blind individuals. Unfortunately, the device does not work for those who are completely blind, as it needs a small amount of eyesight to enhance. The most popular optical disorders experienced by current users of eSight include: • Macular Degeneration; • Diabetic Retinopathy; • Stargardt’s Disease; • Ocular Albinism; • Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy; • Cone-Rod Dystrophy;
• Some forms of Glaucoma • Retinitis Pigmentosa. The glasses are able to enhance vision enough to allow the user better control over their lives. According to the eSight company, users were able to view previously unrecognizable faces, read books and computers, watch TV and movies and concerts. eSight’s specialized camera can autofocus on short, medium and long range objects. eSight currently assists in helping potential users connect with ways to pay for the glasses, including fundraisers, insurance reimbursements, government programs, employer disability programs, donations and crowdsourcing. “eSight will use every method possible to get our glasses to people that can benefit from using them,” eSight Company said on esighteyewear. com. “We are committed to ensuring people with low-vision have access to our tools to enhance their vision and their quality of life.”
Google declines to repair a security flaw in older versions of the Android phone software picking company data off of Android phones is going to be dropdead easy in many, many cases, Android smartphone and tablet and I fully expect that handsets users may need to use alternative will be increasingly in-scope for methods to ensure their safety due penetration testing engagements,” to a security flaw in older versions said Tod Beardsley, an engineering of the operating system. manager for security firm Rapid7. The known security bug in the “Unfortunately, this is great news web browser for Android 4.3 for criminals for the simple reason Jelly Bean and older versions that, for real bad guys, pretty much will not be patched, according to everything is in scope.” Adrian Ludwig, Google’s chief of Ludwig suggests that individuals security for Android. In a blog running Android 4.3 or older use post responding to inquiries about a different web browser than the the issue, Ludwig explained that default, recommending mobile applying vulnerability patches to a versions of Firefox and Chrome. two-year-old However, a version of change in the security browsers will software not completely was “no address the longer security flaw practical to because it do safely.” affects a part On Jan of the default 24, Google browser that confirmed most apps that use to display Jack Blackler \ Flickr Creative Commons Ludwig’s websites. response was the official stance on In response, Ludwig advises app the matter. developers to restrict loading According to Google’s usage content in their apps that does not numbers for Android, 39.1 percent come from the Android device being of its smartphones and tablets run used, or over secure connections. an unaffected version of Android: “I empathize with their decision 4.4 KitKat. The most recent version to cut legacy software loose,” said of the Android operating system Beardsley. “However, a billion makes up less than 1 percent of people don't rely on old versions Android devices. At least 60 percent of my software to manage and of Android devices currently safeguard the most personal use the older operating system, details of their lives. In that light, which includes the vulnerable web I'm hoping Google reconsiders if browser as a default option. [when] the next privacy-busting “This is great news for vulnerability becomes public penetration testers, of course; knowledge.” By Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com
Althea Holenko \ The Johnsonian
Windows 10 features announced By Deborah Crocker crockerd@mytjnow.com During a presentation last week, Microsoft announced the features included in the upcoming operating system Windows 10. "Today really is a monumental day for Windows," said Terry Myerson, head of Microsoft's operating systems unit. "Windows 10 is so much more than the latest version of Windows. Windows 10 changes the rules of the game." The new operating system is a complete overhaul of Windows 10, with added features and the improvement of current ones. For instance, Cortana, a virtual assistant similar to Apple’s Siri, will also be included in the operating system. The assistant program was previously only available to Windows smartphones, but will appear as a search function replacement within Windows 10. Users can set up appointments and make list among other functions, and Cortana will eventually learn the user’s preferences to make better recommendations in the future. HoloLens, a virtual reality headset, will also be included with the release of Windows 10. The headset enables its users to view virtual images as projections, similar to 3D glasses. “You can see the world around you, but suddenly that world is transformed -- with 3D objects floating in midair, virtual screens on the wall and your living room covered in vir-
tual characters running amok,” said Nick Statt of CNET.com. The HoloLens is a computer built into a headset, and those who are not wearing the headset will not be able to see the images projected. Xbox One will also receive an update with the upcoming operating system as well, allowing users to stream video games to any of their Windows 10 based devices, according to Tech Times. “Over the last 13 years, Xbox has been focused on creating and expanding great gaming and entertainment experiences on console. We’re incredibly proud of the Xbox One and are fully committed to ensuring it’s the best place to play console games in 2015 and beyond,” said Phil Spencer, head of Xbox at Microsoft. “Now, we are also bringing that same focus, passion, and commitment to gaming on Windows 10, enhancing the PC games and gaming devices you already love, including the Xbox One.” The operating system does not have a finalized release date, although it is speculated that it will be released in late summer or early fall of 2015. Members of Microsoft’s insider program, which encourages consumers to test early versions of their operating systems, may download the January build of Windows 10. In addition to the new features, Windows 10 will be offering a free upgrade for users who already own Windows 8, according to CNN.
Try to go grocery shopping before the snow starts, and don’t drive fast on icy roads. Most stores will be closed during this time, and you don’t want to be stuck in your dorm or apartment without food. It’s better to stay off the roads during intense weather, but if you have to drive, keep your speed at a reasonable level and avoid sudden swerving. Sign up for WU Alerts if you haven’t already done so - they’ll keep you informed about potential severe weather.
History of the Week January 29, 1922
On this day in history, accumuation of snowfall during a blizzard collapsed the Knickerbocker Theater in Washington, DC. The blizzard formed in the Carolinas on January 26 and moved into the Washington area the following day. For two days, snow blanketed the nation’s capital, resulting in accumulations of more than two feet. The large amount of snow crippled transportation in Washington and shut down the government. By Saturday night, things were beginning to return to normal, and some 300 people attended a movie at Knickerbocker Theatre, at the corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road. In the middle of the film, the accumulated snow on the theater’s roof collapsed the building and tons of steel and concrete fell down on top of the theatergoers. One hundred and eight people were killed, including five in a single family. Another 133 were hospitalized. Rescuers worked through the night to pull out the injured from beneath the rubble. President Warren Harding issued his personal condolences to the families of the victims, which included a former congressman. A subsequent investigation by Army engineers blamed poor construction materials for the collapse.
Deborah Crocker | Science & Technology Editor crockerd@mytjnow.com
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