January 20th, 2011 Issue by The Johnsonian

WHY WAIT TILL THURSDAY? READ MYTJNOW.COM.

Women’s lacrosse joins WU sports. See Sports, page 11

College students should stand up against divisive rhetoric. See Opinion, page 5

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

Do you enjoy snowball fights? Check out the snow pictures. See News, page 3

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Issue 14

NEWS

Owens re-opens for classes after ﬁre After 9 months of renovation, building houses 250 class sections BY JONATHAN MCFADDEN

campus. Owens will house about 250 class sections this semester, said Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management. Leitner Construction, the same company that constructed the DiGiorgio Campus Center and will be responsible for renovating Phelps Hall, handled the job of making Owens spicand-span again.

mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Owens Hall re-opened for classes this semester after the building’s attic caught ﬁre on March 6, 2010. The nine months of renovations to Owens and the Bancroft Annex cost $7 million, which was covered by Winthrop’s insurance. Owens, a $5 million

general-use classroom building equipped with SMART technology, was constructed in 2007 and provided students and faculty with a lounge area, one computer lab and two conference rooms. After the ﬁre, 207 class sections held in Owens were displaced into other academic buildings on

Owens reopened for classes this semester after nine months of renovation. The building closed last March after the attic caught on ﬁre. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • Special to The Johnsonian

Normally, Winthrop has to obtain a construction company’s bid to undertake renovation projects through a process called South Carolina Business Opportunities. This time, though, Owens got the lucky end of the draw. Thanks to special permission from state legislatures to move ahead

See OWENS page 4 HEALTH & SCIENCE

NEWS

WU wins $2.4M grant for research

WU DEBT

Initiative gives students opportunity to participate in biomedical research BY AMANDA PHIPPS phippsa@mytjnow.com

Skin cell replacement, cancer drugs and Alzheimer’s research are some topics students and professors will be able to research thanks to the INBRE II (The IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) Initiative. INBRE is a ﬁve-year grant to develop biomedical research capacity in states that have historically had low federal research funding rates

from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards, said chemistry, physics and geology department chair Patrick Owens. Winthrop was one of four South Carolina undergraduate schools, along with the main research facilities USC-Columbia, Clemson University and MUSC, competitively selected to participate in the INBRE I grant awarded for 2005-2010.

See GRANT page 6

NEWS

3-day snow closure makes WU history BY KARI CHRISENBERRY Special to The Johnsonian

Graphic by Alex Miles • Special to The Johnsonian

University finances new buildings, renovations

BY CLAIRE BYUN byunc@mytjnow.com

Like many other universities, students here are not the only ones who owe money to lending institutions.

Winthrop’s total longterm debt is $75.4 million, and the money is borrowed from banks and other investment ﬁrms, said J.P. McKee, vice president of ﬁnance and business.

Banks such as Bank of America and WellsFargo supply money for Winthrop’s investments, mostly for new buildings or renovations.

See DEBT page 2

A wintry mix of snow, ice and sleet helped make Winthrop history when classes were canceled three days in a row. This was the ﬁrst time in 21 years classes were canceled for three days straight due to inclement weather, said Frank Ardaiolo, vice president of

student life, in a priority e-mail to students. Students could be heard cheering from Markley’s Food Court on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 7:47 p.m. They just received the text message from Winthrop’s WU Alert stating classes for Monday were canceled. This winter storm deposited four inches of snow

See SNOW page 3

NEWS

Car accident claims life of alum one week after graduation BY JONATHAN MCFADDEN mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Hannah Floyd loved drinking coffee and eating. She enjoyed learning about foreign cultures and desired to teach English in China. She was a dedicated student who read her molecular biology textbook for fun before the semester even started. She wasn’t a homebody, preferring to get out of the

house and socialize; she volunteered at the Chester Animal Shelter. The pugs were her favorite. Hannah, 24, died on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, when her car slid off the right side of northbound Interstate 85 and hit a power pole during inclement weather. Just a week before, she

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

graduated Winthrop with honors and received both a Bachelor of Science in biology and Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Originally from Chester, S.C., Hannah lived with her best friend, senior business major Katlyn Oglesby, for two and a half years. In that time, Hannah and Oglesby formed a strong friendship devoid of arguments and ﬁlled with fun, laughter and understanding.

I N D E X

“She was the most nonjudgmental person I’ve ever met,” Oglesby said. “If you’re gay, she didn’t care; if you’re an atheist, she didn’t care; if you’re really religious, she didn’t care. She just meshed really well with everybody.”

Academic scholar Hannah attended and graduated from the South

See FLOYD page 4

CAMPUS NEWS

Hannah Floyd, left, worked as a research assistant for Heather Evans-Anderson, associate professor of biology. Photo courtesy of Heather Evans-Anderson

2-4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OPINION

CULTURE

HEALTH & SCIENCE

SPORTS

7-8 9 10-11

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

CLAIRE BYUN News Editor byunc@mytjnow.com JONATHAN MCFADDEN Assistant News Editor mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Hardin Family Garden opens, displays ‘The Worm,’ other student artwork By Monica Kreber

Worm,” an intended sitting area for students. “It [the Worm] is almost like a jungle Beyond the tractors, construction gym,” she said. “You can always find new workers and rust-colored dirt that occu- ways to sit on it and hang out. More than pied the area behind Roddey Apartments, one person can be on it at a time. It’s a lot two things stood out to passers-by: the gi- of fun; I want it to be touched and played ant silver moon/palmetto tree overlook- with.” ing the campus, and the black, worm-like Hooper said last year the sculpture deobject resting next to Johnson Hall. partment asked students to come up with The silver sculpture is actually a monu- some sort of arrangement that could be ment that John Stanley, the department used in the garden. Hooper first sketched chair of fine arts, and associate professor what she thought her sculpture could Shaun Cassidy made together. The black look like, then she used Photoshop to sculpture is the first bit of student art- show how it would appear in person, with work featured in the garden. people interacting on “The Worm.” The Hardin Family Gardens, named in “Starting with when I proposed [the honor of the Hardin family, opened just sculpture], I have been working on it for in time for the spring semester. almost a year,” she said. Senior general studio major Rebecca Winthrop paid for the materials HoopHooper, who is responsible for the black er used to make the sculpture. She said it sculpture in the garden, calls it “The is made out of steel, and even though it is black now, it is going to be purple by its completion. “I wanted it to have sparkles, but we could not find the right kind of paint,” she said. Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Walter Hardin said the garden would be completed by the start of spring semester, and the construction stayed on schedule. The garden is now open to all students on campus. Beside Johnson Hall stands the newly constructed “The Garden project is Hardin Family Garden, a sculpture garden featuring going extremely well,” he student art. Some of this artwork includes the “The said. “This planning has Worm,” a sitting area which sits at the far right been in progress for seven of the garden. Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@ years. It is exciting to see it mytjnow.com come to such a neat complekreberm@mytjnow.com

Borrowed money spent on new buildings, renovations DEBT • from front “We finance all of our long-term projects by borrowing money,” McKee said. “The West Center, Carroll Hall and the DiGiorgio Center have all used borrowed money.” Any capital project, such as building, cannot be funded through normal operating funds. A separate fund holds money used to pay back debt caused by new campus structures or renovations. Students pay $621 out of student required fees to service the debt, which is an earmarked 10 percent of total required fees, McKee said. “Each student pays a little every year goes into a building fund meant only for building and renovation,” McKee said. “It’s like paying for a mortgage.” Before taking out new loans, the university gathers interest rates from competing banks and selects the firm with the lowest rate, McKee said. “We built the coliseum with money from the state in the 1980s, and just finished paying it off this year,” McKee said. “But since then we haven’t borrowed any money from the state.” Though each new building causes Winthrop to borrow money, certain standards are applied before making the decision to bring out the bulldozers. McKee’s rule of thumb allows only

12 years to pay off a renovation project, and 20 years for a new building. “If the debt cannot be paid off within those time frames, we won’t build,” McKee said. “That’s just the way we do it at Winthrop.” Both Richardson and Wofford Hall took nearly 40 years to pay off, which cemented McKee’s desire to implement his rule of thumb. “By the time we finished paying them off I was already ready to tear them down.” Since both the West Center and DiGiorgio Center are fairly new buildings, their payments are still being made. The final payment for the West Center will be made in 2025, and the DiGiorgio Center’s debt will mature in 2029, McKee said. Debt is usually paid every April, with each separate account receiving a certain amount. Though Winthrop’s debt seems high, McKee thinks the university’s monetary obligation is average. “There are many schools in hundreds of millions of debt, and there are some with no debt,” McKee said. “I don’t think I would want to be a part of a university with no debt.”

Don’t worry.

As of now, the snow won’t ruin your spring break.

Winthrop does not have university-wide makeup days for classes lost from the snow, according to Tim Drueke, assistant vice president for academic affairs.

tion.” Hardin said in addition to “The Worm” and the monumental piece, he believes the art department plans to add more student artwork to the garden. “These [the artwork] will change out periodically in a rotation,” he said. “These pieces will be extraordinary student art, and placement here will be something special.” In addition to the student artwork, there are fountains intended to maintain a water noise throughout the garden, Hardin said. The water features include two water walls, two water curtains and a fountain in the lower end of the garden toward the Johnson lot. There is also a “River Walk” that emulates a walk through a winding river over cobble stones. “There will be benches made from balusters salvaged from the old Breazeale Hall that once occupied the footprint of the garden,” Hardin said. “We also used architectural pieces salvaged from Peabody in both the West Center and the new DIGS.” Hardin explained that all the features on Scholars Walk have been planned out: there is a granite diamond in the round section of Scholars Walk that runs down to the new Concourse area under the canopy between the West Center and DIGS. He said if you were to stand on that diamond and face your toes toward the front of the campus, you can look up slightly to your right to the top of the McBryde building and you will notice that the circular brick pattern matches the pavers in the circle. Then, if you keep your feet aimed toward the front of campus and look 90 degrees to your right through the new Pergola of the garden, and then look

The gardens feature fountains that produce a constant water noise and a river walk on cobblestones. The garden project took seven years to plan. Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@ mytjnow.com 180 degrees to your left at the Music Conservatory, students will notice that even though the entire walk area has been built in stages and phases, everything lines up on the diamond. “Cool, huh?” he said. Hardin said the garden will be beneficial to students. “It is going to be a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing place for students, faculty, staff and visitors to come, sit, contemplate and find one’s self,” he said.

Shaking up the syllabus

Snow fell late Sunday night and throughout Monday, freezing to ice and slush over the week. The school delay caused some professors to adjust syllabi and make up for lost time. Photo by Chelsea Walker • Special to The Johnsonian

Professors adjust to snow day schedule By Claire Byun & Jonathan McFadden byunc@mytjnow.com, mcfaddenj@ mytjnow.com

While some students spent their first three days of classes sledding and making snow angels, professors scrambled to compensate for the three days they lost. Kristin Kiblinger, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies, said losing two days was not too problematic for her since she always builds some flexibility into her plans for certain class topics. “It does make me nervous, however, going forward, because I now have less flexibility remaining for the rest of the semester,” Kiblinger said. “If something else disruptive comes up, I’ll have to make more difficult choices.” Peter Judge, department chair of philosophy and religious studies, said he might have to adjust the schedules of his classes, depending on the pace the classes move. “We are going to have to hurry up with these first couple of classes,” Judge said. “There are either places where we’ll make up time or we just won’t get to everything.” Still, Judge said he didn’t find any big inconveniences in his schedule. As a matter of fact, he preferred the snow interrupting classes at the beginning of the semester instead of it halting the flow of the semester right in the middle. Moving around schedules won’t cause too much trouble for Lisa Deal, physical

education instructor, but there was still anxiety when she first learned of the days lost. “I did a little panicking last week trying to figure out how to fit it all in,” Deal said. However, since Deal lives in York and must drive 20 miles to Winthrop, she is thankful the school decided to cancel classes. Both professors and commuters must travel to campus, which can be difficult in hazardous weather. “We’re based a lot on commuter students, and some come a long way,” Deal said. “So it’s good they cancelled school for those who travel.” Mary Beth Young, associate professor of theatre and dance, said she thinks the biggest problem for students was not necessarily missing three days of class, but Winthrop offices being closed. Students who needed their schedules finalized so they could either add or drop a class had to wait until the offices reopened after the snow days before any action could be taken. That left many students in a panic, Young said. Even up until Wednesday, Young said students were going to her office, concerned they would have to play catch-up in their classes or risk falling behind. As for her own classes, Young said she sent an e-mail to her Monday-Wednesday beginning ballet class, instructing them on what to wear and encouraging them to be ready to dance. Instead of talking and going over the syllabus… “We’re just going to dance,” she said.

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

Southern Snow Days Photos by Stephanie Eaton eatons@mytjnow.com

A mass snowball fight was organized Monday afternoon in front of the DIGS, giving students the chance to use various objects for home-made sleds. Officials delayed classes for three days due to the snow and ice.

Students make the most of snow SNOW • from front across campus, according to the National Weather Service. On Monday, a large group of students enjoyed sledding near the campus while other students engaged in snowball fights, building snowmen and making snow angels. Junior theater performance major Jaimie Bellah spent the day with her friends. “First, we played in the snow and went sledding at DIGS. Then, we walked to Winthrop Lake and built a snowman and snow angels,” Bellah said. Nina Vallario, a friend of Bellah, is a junior social work major. “Our hands and feet were numb with cold,” Vallario said. Later Monday night, students received another e-mail and text message stating Winthrop would be closed on Tuesday as well. Sleet fell on top of the snow Winthrop had already received. All of the snow from Monday froze over, making driving and walking dangerous. On Tuesday night, Winthrop students received news that classes were canceled yet again for Wednesday. “It was ridiculous and slightly unnecessary [for Winthrop to cancel classes again],” Vallario said. “I honestly think the reason behind the third snow day was the threat of a lawsuit.” Bellah agrees with Vallario. “I understood why Winthrop canceled

class on the second day,” she said, “but on the third day, the roads were clear enough that we even went out in my car.” Morgan McWhite, freshman art education major, thought the snow days were great at first, but quickly lost their appeal. “Initially, the first day was great. The snow was pretty, and we could play in it. When it turned to ice, you are stuck inside,” she said. “We got kind of bored.” The three snow days offered students a rare three-day break in the beginning of the semester. Students were grateful for this time off, but the idea of potentially making up the days was unpopular. McWhite thinks students shouldn’t have to make up classes at all. “It’s not our fault,” she said. “You can’t prevent ice from falling. It’s a natural occurrence. The first week of classes is uneventful anyway.” Vilissa Thompson, a graduate student, also agrees with McWhite. “We shouldn’t have to make up the missed days. They have never made us in the past,” she said. “In K-12 grades, they have set inclement weather days. They also have teacher work days and other holidays, but in college, you do not have the extra days [in the event of bad weather],” Thompson said. Freshman theater education major Sommer Austin was indifferent to the

idea of making up missed classes. “I really wouldn’t mind. It would be a bit unfair to people who have to make travel plans, but I would rather work harder to make up for the missed days in

class,” Austin said. Winthrop crews had the sidewalks cleared in time for classes on Thursday, but ice and snow continue to be seen across Winthrop’s lawns.

Fall Availability Now Posted!

Visit our website, and select “Steps to Rent” to sign up for the Priority List. www.walk2campus.com

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

Professors, friends remember WU graduate as smart, funny, random Terrible news

FLOYD • from front

Clark and Al Asfoor were at Clark’s grandmother’s house when Oglesby called with the bad news. Hannah had been in an accident. Al Asfoor received the news ﬁrst. “I just heard him say, ‘Oh my God, is she okay?’” Clark said. “I never thought he would have said that she died.” Clark and Al Asfoor packed up all their stuff and returned to Rock Hill that same day.

Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics and received a full ride to Winthrop University. “Hannah was a very vibrant and talented young woman who had a bright future,” said Joe Prus, department chair of the psychology department. “She was a pleasure to teach and was no doubt capable of going on to a top-notch graduate program.” Merry Sleigh, associate professor of psychology, said one of Hannah’s most obvious qualities was her intelligence. Sleigh recalled a time when she and Hannah were discussing a topic on which Hannah had more expertise than she did. “I was struck by the way she was able to convey her superior knowledge with such gentle humility and respect,” Sleigh said. One professor Hannah was particularly close to was Dr. Heather Evans-Anderson, an assistant professor of biology who taught Hannah anatomy. “She was my favorite in so many ways,” Evans-Anderson said. Hannah also acted as Evans-Anderson’s research assistant. “She was going to go to graduate school to study neuroscience after she went to a foreign country for a while to teach English,” Evans-Anderson said. “She was quite fond of South America and the Middle East.” Evans-Anderson said she and others from her lab planned to eat at Charanda, one of Hannah’s favorite restaurants, in honor of her memory.

Adjusting Oglesby said Hannah’s death hasn’t quite hit her just yet. Normally around winter break, she would go home to be Hannah presents her research at the Big Surs undergraduate research conferwith family and Hannah would do the ence at Radford University last spring. She worked on characterizing an important same. Then, once the semester began, developmental gene in vertebrates, specifically the sea squirt. Photo courtesy of they would come together again. Heather Evans-Anderson This semester won’t be the same. Hannah won’t be coming back. deaths of friends before, Hannah’s was and Hannah, Katie and Hannah, and I “I feel more now that she’s not going different. was like, ‘Who are these people?’” Clark to be there,” Oglesby said. “I really don’t have any bad memories said. Yet, Oglesby knows she’s not alone. She of Hannah,” Oglesby said. “Pretty much When Clark began dating her current and Hannah’s family are close and speak everything was a good memory.” boyfriend, junior business administra- at least three times a week. Friends such It was the vivid memories that led tion major Majid Al Asfoor, who was as Clark and Al Asfoor, who have been on Oglesby to move out of her and Hannah’s already friends with both Oglesby and hand to help Oglesby empty out the old apartment and to Charlotte with another Hannah, she realized why their names apartment, have also helped make the adfriend. were synonymous. justment a little less painful. “We woke up to each other every day; “They really are like a pair and they’re Right now, Oglesby’s method is to take we were best friends,” Oglesby said. double trouble every time you see them,” it all in as it comes. Susan Clark remembers Hannah as Clark said. “There are good days and there are bad random, fun, dependable, complex and Clark recalled a time when Hannah and days,” Oglesby said. “I think about her evsimple all rolled up into one. Oglesby stole Al Asfoor’s chair from his eryday.” “She’s not someone who can fit into a yard. In retaliation, Clark and Al Asfoor Oglesby anticipates that any breaks or category,” said Clark, sophomore broad- stole Hannah’s hammock and put it in Al holidays during school, such as Martin cast major. “She was so random and so Asfoor’s backyard. Luther King Jr. Day, Cinco De Mayo or different than anybody, honestly, that “For a long time they didn’t find it,” Spring Break, will be the hardest because I’ve ever met.” Clark said. “And one day, they were tell- she and Hannah were usually together on Hannah didn’t have any enemies, Clark ing us a story about how the hammock these days. said. In fact, there really wasn’t anyone randomly appeared in their backyard “I try to think about all the good times,” Hannah didn’t like or anyone who didn’t and, of course, our faces said it all.” Oglesby said. like her. So, the war began. Hannah and Oglesby When missing Hannah becomes al“She was just so happy to meet new returned and took Al Asfoor’s painting, most unbearable, Oglesby chooses to go people,” Clark said. toothbrush and computer. Hannah even through old pictures or visits one of their Though she went through tough times plastered the painting in her window so favorite restaurants. in her life, Hannah wasn’t the kind of per- Al Asfoor, who lived in the same neighThe key: staying busy. son to wear her troubles on her sleeves, borhood, could see it. Hannah Clark said. “We had these wars all the time of just working Because Hannah always had a smile on stealing each other’s stuff,” Clark said. in a lab her face, Clark said other people thought Apart from the fun and games, Hanin Sims she was happy all the time. In fact, her nah enjoyed intelligent coversations, too. Science smile was infectious. Clark recalled one incident when, while Building. “She would make other people happy,” staying with Hannah and Oglesby overPhoto Clark said. night, she overheard Hannah having a courtesy random biological debate with a guy she of Pooja Double trouble had met. Pard“They were talking about cells, life and hanani, When Clark first met Hannah, she premature life - just randomness and research didn’t learn about the double major alone biology weird stuff, and I was so lost,” technician - instead, she realized Hannah came with Clark said. “And I was like, ‘Hannah, you for the another, her roommate Oglesby. would, on a Saturday night, have some biology “I kept hearing about this pair, Katie random biology debate.’”

Lots of laughs Coupled with her academic accolades, Hannah also had a sense of humor. Some days, Hannah would run into her roommate’s room while she was sleeping and pretend as if the ﬁre alarm went off. Other times, Oglesby scared Hannah while she was in the shower. Despite the fun and games, some boundaries still existed. No one dared to speak before Hannah got her morning cup o’ Joe. “She did not function without coffee,” Oglesby said, “so it was like an agreement; before she had her coffee, we would be silent.” Of the seven roommates Oglesby’s had, she said Hannah was the best.

Changes Things have changed for Oglesby, now without her roommate and best friend. Though she said she’s experienced the

POLICE BLOTTER DUI/OPEN CONTAINER

(1/7/11)

At 7:24 p.m., an officer stopped a black Cadillac Escalade that didn’t have its headlights on. While speaking with the driver, the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol from the subject’s breath and asked for his license and registration. The driver provided a license but not registration and was asked to step out of the vehicle. Several field sobriety tests were administered, but the subject was uncooperative and wouldn’t follow directions, the report stated. After the walk and turn test, the subject refused to perform any more tests and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence. A search of the subject found $5,366 in his pant’s pocket, as well as a styrofoam cup containing a mixed alcoholic beverage, the report stated. The subject said he needed to go to the hospital because he was having a panic attack, so officers requested EMS. The subject complained about chest pains and was transported to Piedmont Medical Center where he refused a blood test. The subject left PMC without treatment three hours later and was arrested for DUI and open container, according to the report.

OWENS • from front with the project in lieu of the bidding process and Winthrop maintaining the same contractor who built Owens, Hardin said the university was able to shave months off the renovation process. Renovations for Owens and the Bancroft Annex ofﬁces cost $7 mil-

PETTY LARCENY

(1/5/11)

At 2:26 p.m., a 59-year-old subject called police to report thefts that had previously occurred at her storage room in the Withers Building. An officer met with the subject who said a white digital balance with AC adapter had been taken from the room. She said she recently ordered the equipment and still had it in the box, according to the report. Returning to the room at another time, the subject said a clear bag containing 20 blank CDs had been taken. She told the officer the only points of access to the storage room are from the hallway and classroom in Withers. The subject said she is the only one with a key. Upon further investigation, the officer found a master key could also open the room. Two hundred and seventy dollars worth of property were reported missing. DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION

vehicle cut off the officer, forcing the officer to apply his brakes before collision. The officer conducted a traffic stop, and when questioning the subject, she said her brakes were not working correctly, the report stated. A check of the driver’s North Carolina license revealed her driving privileges were suspended for failure to pay traffic tickets in South Carolina. The driver was arrested for driving under suspension and taken to the City of Rock Hill Law Center.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night can keep these bad boys from the cops.

(1/4/11)

While traveling down Oakland Avenue, an ofﬁcer was stopped at the Cherry Road trafﬁc light. When the light turned green, a green

www.mytjnow.com/police-blotter

UPCOMING EVENTS ON CAMPUS lion. The building was covered by Winthrop’s insurance. The same features that were in Owens before the ﬁre are still the same, Hardin said. Owens also contains the most upto-date ﬁre-prevention technology, Hardin said.

Jan. 20: Master of Social Work Information Session; 3- 4 p.m., DiGiorgio Campus Center 114

Jan. 24: High School Photo Competition; 9- 5 p.m., McLaurin Gallery Lewandowski Student Gallery

Jan. 21: Peer Tutor Training; 2:30- 4:30 p.m., DiGiorgio Campus Center 114

Jan. 24: SOAR meeting; 7- 8 p.m., DiGiorgio Campus Center 221

Jan. 23: Boyz II Men Mass Meeting; 8- 9 p.m., Kinard 111

Jan. 26: RUF Large Group; 9-10 p.m., Kinard Auditorium

Graduate’s death reinforces value of living in the now By Anna Douglas

douglasa@mytjnow.com

I don’t know what went through 24-year-old Hannah Floyd’s mind on Dec. 26, 2010,--the night she died. I don’t know where she was coming from before the car she was a passenger in slid off northbound Interstate 85. I don’t know the family and friends she likely spent time with in the weeks before her death. I didn’t know Hannah Floyd at all. But somehow she doesn’t feel that far removed from me. She was one of Winthrop’s own. She was one of us, walking into Kinard or Sims, perhaps anxious about an upcoming test. She was one of us, looking forward to weekends of hanging out with friends. She was one of

us, graduating from Winthrop, ready for a whole life ahead of her. The difference is Hannah’s life ended just about two weeks after graduation day, the day many of us think of as the start of real life. As tragic as Hannah’s death is, it should be a reminder to us that life doesn’t start the day we graduate. It doesn’t start the day you finally move out of your parent’s house. And although it may feel like it, it doesn’t start the day you meet your soul mate. Life started the minute you got here, and it’s been happening since. As a senior waiting for graduation in May, I’m doing it too. I’m thinking about what my first “big girl” job will be like, what city I’ll move to, what kind of parent I’ll be one day— things Hannah might

have thought about. Sometimes with all that planning, I forget I still have about 100 days until I have a degree in my hot little hand. A lot of life can happen in 100 days. Maybe life can’t be Carpe diem, live as if there’s no tomorrow, 24 hours a day (at least I don’t have the energy for that). But life also can’t be spent waiting for the next best thing, forgetting that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. For those of you who knew Hannah and called her a friend or a student or a co-worker, I know the loss of such a special person is insurmountable. For those of us who didn’t know Hannah, may we remember her now and never let the consciousness that life is precious and sometimes short slip away from us.

An Original Comic by Courtney Niskala

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 JEFF BRODEUR Assistant sports editor DAVID THACKHAM Graphic Designer COURTNEY NISKALA Copy editors BRITTANY GUILFOYLE BRANTLEY MCCANTS Ad designer SAMANTHA FURTICK

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

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

CONNOR DE BRULER Opinion Editor debrulerc@thejohnsonian.com

New year, new lunch

Editor pursues healthier lifestyle My metabolism is still my enough to help me reach my goal. friend, but we have grown I’m not going to lie, I just scarfed apart in recent years. down a honey bun and pizza-flaPeople laugh at me when vored hot pocket before writing this; I point it out, but I can see I’m only human after all. I know my stomach pooch and I what I want to do, but hopefully want it gone. With 2011 now I’ll be strong enough to cut down upon us, my New Year’s Amanda Phipps on junk food and be a healthier resolution is to be healthier. Health and Science Amanda. editor I don’t necessarily want to This also means I’ll need to bring lose too much weight, I just my lunch to campus every day and want to lose the little bit I can do withfill up on turkey sandwiches and chips out and become a physically stronger rather than burgers and fries, though, person. I would like to do 10 push-ups Winthrop’s veggie burger with sauteed without feeling as if I can’t move in the mushrooms may be an occasional favormorning. I want to run and not feel out ite, with apple slices, of course. of breath after the first 10 minutes. This new year is a chance for me to To achieve this goal, I need to eat stick to what I want to do. I want to healthier. I plan to eat less red meat, change myself for the better and be a which takes a while to digest. I would stronger, healthier person. like to eat less food altogether; I tend to I vow not to go to McDonald’s when eat when I’m stressed, and it’s usually I don’t feel like eating on campus or not vegetables. bringing my lunch. I need to not only cut back on what If Winthrop brings Subway back, that I eat, I need to exercise, and I should will be helpful as well. Hopefully, things probably find another workout besides will work out how I want them to. I can Dance Dance Revolution, though it’s be happier with how I feel every day, fun. and my metabolism and I can work out School starting back helps me keep the problems in our relationship. moving as I walk quickly to my classes and many jobs on campus, but it’s not

Apolitical philosophy cures social violence of their tongues like a battalion of Our times are divisive tanks ready to invade a small country times. whose primary domestic product are I am not a particularly cheap baseball caps and bread. political individual. I am I do pride myself on being socially a registered Democrat aware, and I think that counts for and I’ll admit I probably something. I see so much divisiveness won’t deviate from that used by both political parties and the party affiliation too much media alike. In the last two years, Connor de Bruler in my career as a voting I’ve seen this divisiveness increase, Opinion editor citizen. Aside from my mostly at the fault of conservatives. loose alliance with all This country just received a grim things decidedly liberal, I am not a very wake-up call in the form of dead bypolitically aware person. I don’t know standers and an honest politician, Gabriwho ran in the local elections last Noelle Giffords, sustaining a bullet through vember and I don’t know which bills are her head. headed for the senate. The divisiveness we have embraced in It doesn’t interest me. this country is spawning genuine hatred. Perhaps I’m the problem. People like After the recent violence in Tucson, me who aren’t familiar with local, state Ariz., I don’t think anyone would be so or national politics can’t be expected to bold as to deny this truth. The Tea Party make rational choices when they go to and GOP in general are whipping insane vote. and uneducated people into a mob-like Well, I’ll also admit that I didn’t vote frenzy with their blatant and ill-informed in the S.C. state elections last November. rhetoric. Sarah Palin had rifle cross-hairs I was registered and everything, but I on her action plan map, according to just didn’t make the trip down to my ABC. district to vote. In Jamaica, the Jamaica Labour Party Many would frown upon this decision, and the People’s National Party have or lack thereof. been at each other’s throats for so long The real reason I didn’t vote had that the struggle has degenerated into a nothing to do with philosophy, but prag- bloody, perpetual gang war. I don’t think matism. I was having personal problems Americans want this kind of reality. and I was late in trying to get an absenAs college students, we should be tee ballot. If it makes anyone feel better, the first to stand up and say enough is I voted for our current president. enough. The divisive rhetoric is killing I am the self-proclaimed poster boy this nation’s soul. for the apolitical. Unfortunately, this column is fairly If I were politically aware, I would divisive, which is only a testament to definitely be able to form a compelling how pervasive conflict have become. argument as to why politics are ripping Finally, it’s reached the apolitical. this country apart. What if we all thought we were differBut I can’t do that. ent versions of the same person? What if Watching me attempt a political we preached more unity? What if the hudebate is like watching a chipmunk atman race was seen as a singular entity? tempt to beat a grizzly bear to death. The Would anything change? chipmunk and I, we just aren’t prepared. No one has the answer. But I am cerThe people I talk to have statistical figtainly interested in how these principle ures and historical anecdotes on the tips can be applied.

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@mytjnow.com Online: mytjnow.com LETTER POLICY Letters and feedback can be sent to editors@mytjnow.com or by mail at The Johnsonian, 104

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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 GRANT • from front Winthrop was awarded the INBRE I grant in 2005, in which 96 undergraduate students worked with 14 faculty members in INBRE-supported biomedical research, Owens said. In 2009, South Carolina proposed the renewal of the INBRE grant. This was a two-year process that included a state-wide competition for undergraduate school selection in 20082009, Owens said. South Carolina then submitted the proposal in July 2009, and the NIH visited the state in May 2010. On Sept. 11, 2010, Winthrop received official notice that NIH awarded the $16 million INBRE II grant to the state. Winthrop was one of seven undergraduate universities that received money from the grant, along with the state’s three main research facilities, Owens said. Owens is the collaborating investigator with USC for the INBRE II program. The grant will provide Winthrop with $2.4 million dollars over the fiveyear period, the highest amount given to any of the undergraduate institutions, Owens said. This year, the grant will supply Winthrop with $473,000, and the university will provide $160,000 in matching funds for undergraduate biomedical research. “(A university) has to be able to sustain research with institutional support to receive the grant,” he said.

Winthrop’s INBRE II program’s three objectives are to sustain five research projects previously supported by INBRE I, add five faculty-led research projects and increase the number of “students from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups matriculating into biomedical science graduate programs,” Owens said. The INBRE II grant will end June 30, 2015, but the state is planning for a 60-day no-cost extension from the NIH so the grant will allow a full summer of research in 2015, Owens said. “It will allow us to continue building a summer undergraduate research program,” he said. Since it is too early to tell if the INBRE grant will be renewable after 2015, Winthrop has started planning on how to sustain the level of faculty and student research that currently exists, dean of arts and sciences Debra Boyd said. “The most important thing is to have a plan to sustain student and faculty research,” she said. “We will need to expand beyond our current system of funds.” Winthrop will succeed in sustaining collaborative research, either through other grants or through other institutional means, Boyd said. “INBRE I was enormously successful,” she said. “I believe we will exceed our goals with INBRE II.” Associate professor of

Patrick Owens Collaborating investigator

biology Laura Glasscock and associate professors of chemistry Robin Lammi and Takita Sumter lead the INBRE II grant and act as liaisons between the researchers and the administration to provide them with equipment, supplies or student employees as needed, Sumter said. “In addition to continued improvements in Winthrop’s research infrastructure, the INBRE II grant will also be used to initiate a science diversity initiative,” she said. The university has hired Rachel Law as the science diversity program director, Sumter said. She will oversee the development of the university’s science diversity program. Assistant professor of Chemistry Kathie Snyder will serve as the faculty coordinator for the diversity effort. Owens and Sumter will work with Snyder and Law to establish the diversity office’s efforts “in the overall program management, student recruitment, and student development efforts,” Sumter said. “We hope to provide our students, particularly those from underrepre-

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

sented and disadvantaged groups, with better support services and resources to (enter graduate programs),” she said. Sumter and the other leaders will also communicate Winthrop’s progresses, successes and problems to the state. “South Carolina likes that our administration is so involved and supportive of the program,” she said. “We work to maintain that impression.” Professors who were part of the INBRE I grant will be institutionally supported to maintain their research during INBRE II, Sumter said. Professors who are new to the program or have had less than five years of support will be supported by the grant. “For the first year of the award, funds for research supplies totaling more than $160,000 have been distributed among the 11 faculty researchers,” Sumter said. The grant, combined with institutional support, provides a $1,500 per semester stipend for student researchers during the school year and a $3,000 stipend for the summer, Sumter said. This grant allows for faculty and students to be involved with research they wouldn’t otherwise access, associate professor of chemistry, physics and geology Thomas Grattan said. “The INBRE grant is trying to expand biomedical research in South Carolina,” he said. Grattan was involved

AMANDA PHIPPS Health & Science Editor phippsa@mytjnow.com

with INBRE I and will continue his work with four undergraduate students with institutionallysupported funds to provide research supplies and support student stipends, he said. They will continue research started under INBRE I on the synthesis and modification of cancer drug analogs. “Students get a chance to do cutting-edge research they wouldn’t normally see,” he said. Associate professor of biology Julian Smith III will work with two students in the spring and one in the summer in his INBRE II-supported research on the skin cell replacement process in animals. The grant will provide money for materials and supplies as well as student stipends. “The grant also provides money to support a reduction in my regular teaching load, so I have time to supervise these students and help them conduct the research,” he said. “I regard helping students learn to do research as an important part of teaching.” Associate professor of chemistry, physics and biology James Hanna will work with several undergraduate students to develop new molecules that have “potential pharmaceutical interest,” he said. They will also work to find more efficient methods to prepare the compounds. “Our research would not go nearly as well without the INBRE II grant,” he said. “The funds allow me to purchase necessary

chemicals and supplies, but more importantly, the undergraduate research assistants supported by the grant provide opportunities for our students to participate in significant, relevant research projects not only during the academic year, but also during the summer.” Hanna collaborates with associate professor of chemistry, physics and geology Robin Lammi in the design and evaluation of inhibitors of an aggregation, or coming together, process of Amyloid-beta peptides. This research may play a role in future Alzheimer’s disease therapies, Hanna said. Lammi also helps lead the INBRE II grant. She said it creates opportunities. “Any time you bring a group of people together with similar goals, there is a great potential for success,” she said. Biology professors Eric Birgbauer, Heather Evans-Anderson and Kristi Westover and chemistry faculty members Nick Grossoehme, Jason Hurlbert and Cliff Calloway will also participate in INBRE II-supported research. Winthrop received the INBRE II grant, in part, based on its success with INBRE I, Boyd said. “I am exceptionally grateful to the administration, faculty and students that make the INBRE program a success at Winthrop,” she said. “It is a team effort.”

Popular tech gifts of 2010 Change brings risks, benefits

Sony E-reader $180

Apple iPhone touch $399

Apple iPad $499 Xbox 360

Video Game System $200

Ps3

Wii

$350

For some people, February 10, 2011 cannot come fast enough. For loyal Verizon wireless customers, the fabled iPhone 4 will finally be available on a network that is not AT&T. Now, that’s great and all, but, seriously, why so much hype? Perhaps my anti-apple mindset does not allow me to understand the eage-beaver mentality that exists around the iPhone, but I will muster on to provide you with a comparison of the two carriers. For starters, both phones start at $199, according to each carrier’s respective website, and of course individuals will need to purchase a data plan along with the iPhone. Exact plan pricing is not really out there from Verizon yet, but it’s safe to say the pricing will closely mirror that of AT&T. Also, there are a few differences in terms of functionally, such as the ability to set

up a mobile wi-fi hotspot on the Verizon version (not an option on the AT&T version). So, if the phones are just about the same, is it safe to switch? Well, yes and no. Remember that AT&T has been in the iPhone business for a few years now, so they have been able to deal with the hiccups where as Verizon has not. What it all comes down to is good business for Apple. By expanding its partnership to another carrier, the amount of incoming capital has increased exponentially. Also, this move is good for the consumer; now individuals do not have to change a network they like in order to use the device they want. What’s my take? Personally I see no gain to either carrier; both offer the same services at around the same prices (taking into account the “experience” on each

Devang Joshi Webmaster

network is subjective at best). Also, I do not see the point in dropping $200 on a phone that is “fun” (I don’t believe any mobile device will change my life). However, if you are one of many who have been waiting for this day, hang on and take a deep breath; it’s almost here.

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If you are one of many who have been waiting for this day, hang on and take a deep breath; it’s almost here.

Still need flu protection? What: Flu Clinic Where: West Center Commuter Lounge When: Wed., Jan. 19 Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. $25 fee, paid with cash or check or charged to student account. Visit winthrop.edu/flu for more information

THURSDAY January 20 2011

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

A brand new year... Local band creates impressive EP album

It’s a brand new year. We are a 11 years into the 2000s and only a year away from the world ending. As many of The Johnsonian staff closes in on their last semester, here are some of our New Year’s resolutions.

Anna Douglas, editor in chief: 1. lose fewer hair-ties 2. to finish all six season of lost Tiffany Barkley, managing editor: to get a job Claire Byun, news editor: Never to wear a pants suit Jonathan McFadden, asst. news editor: to avoid stress Alexis Austin, culture editor: To grow my hair natural Amanda Phipps, health and science editor: to eat healthier Jessica Pickens, arts and entertainment editor: to lose 20 pounds Alison Angel, asst. arts editor: To write more content according to readers interest Jeff Broduer, sports editor: to grow a mustache David Thackham, asst. sports editor: to be a man Connor de Brueler, opinion editor: to get my graphic novel script I wrote published Shatesha Scales, online editor: To get sleep at all cost Devang Joshi, web master: to open up to other people Brittany Guilfoyle, copy editor: To catch up on every episode of “One Life to Live” I’ve missed. I’m behind 40 episodes. Brantley McCants, copy editor: to catch up with old friends

ist alongside John Cash. Two songs With the release of the later, I thought I had actually found “Dolphins and Brides” EP in a “Streetlight Manifest B-side.” the summer of last year, Rock All this style roving, however, Hill’s own Senseless Beatings seems to be the result of the band both created and conquered actually writing music as a group some very curious ground in this time around, rather than tackthe musical landscape. Thomas Cornelius ing on parts to frontman Chase Some songs on that exSenior English Brown’s solo work. tended play suggested some major What ensues is, despite its almost interesting and downright innumerable nods and influences, a very thought-provoking ideas, both lyrically cohesive, unified whole of an album that and musically. Others were certainly desounds completely intentional and never signed with a certain comedic flair that didn’t always mesh well with the former. derivative. Also, while one may at first be appreIf this wasn’t at times jarring, the very hensive about listening to yet another distinct sound of a flute chiming away concept album, the organic, natural flow throughout the five tracks made the of the music is never impeded or sacriquintet even harder to place in the sonic ficed for sake adhering to thematic conspectrum. tent; rather, the band sings about issues Was this a gimmick? An experiment? that are relevant regardless of whether While the individual songs were actually quite enjoyable, it was hard to figure they were meant to fit a theme. The production is actually slightly out exactly where the band was coming above what would may be expected from from much less where they were headed a DIY effort. to. Though it is not marked by the glossy, A little less than a year later we finally pristine feel of a larger budget project, know and, to be succinct, any grievances it is perfectly suitable and enjoyable (or confusion) brought on by the “Dolphins and Brides” EP has been remedied enough for those who wouldn’t know DIY means “do it yourself.” in the band’s first proper long play, “AfIf you recognize only one of the aforeter History,” a concept album that paints mentioned artists from which “Senseless the end of World War II as the turning Beatings” takes a queue or if you really point for mankind. want lyrics that are a good step above But confusions aside is not to say the their contemporaries, it may be worthrecord isn’t marked with sheer variety, while to give this record a listen. for it most certainly is. You can buy Senseless Beating’s “After The intro track is somehow reminisHistory” online at Bandcamp.com. cent of “Sunshine Superman” era DonoIf you prefer to wait and make sure the van while the second song abruptly shifts to a driving baseline that wouldn’t sound singer is good looking before you fork over your hard-earned cash, at their live out of place on a late 90s Frodus record. show at New Brooklyn in Columbia on Fast forward to the segue-way track Thursday, Jan. 27. “Intermission,” a stripped down minute long affair that would fare well in a playl-

Upcoming on-campus films: Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. “Paranormal Activity 2”: Sequel to the 2009 horror movie, a demon terroizes both a baby and dog. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. “Nowhere Boy”: John Lennon’s life is yet again the subject of a documentary. This film documents his early life.

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

January 2011 Music Milton Masciadri will perform double bass as a guest artist at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, in Barnes Recital Hall. Free cultural event Brian Carter will perform cello as a guest artist at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, in Barnes Recital Hall. Free cultural event Soprano singer Patti Edwards and guitarist Daniel Hull will be guest artists at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, at Barnes Recital Hall. Free cultural event

On-campus movies- All movies are $2 with I.D. and are located in Dina’s Place in the DIGS A family secret tortures a woman and her child in “Paranormal Activity,” which will be showing at 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. Documentary of John Lennon’s youth in “Nowhere Boy” will be showing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Classic 1980s movies “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Breakfast Club” will be showing at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29.

DSU- $5 with I.D., $10 for public and free with spring pass Students can show off their talents at DSU’s Open Mic Night at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, at the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Singer/songwriter Ellis Paul will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.

Movies Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher don’t want to commit in “No Strings Attatched.” The movie premieres in theaters on Friday, Jan. 21.

Aussie film transcends viewer expectations It isn’t for everyone, but those Australians are not exactly who appreciate genuine tension known for producing what art and terrific acting will find themsnobs call “fine cinema.” selves compelled by the almost The stereotype for a quintesShakespearian drama. sential Aussie flick is a lowThe protagonist, Christian, budget movie that takes place eventually meets a young runon a road trip. It includes plenty of violence, degenerate Connor de Brueler away from Brisbane trying to Opinion editor hitch a ride at a truck stop. thugs and at least one house She is able to offer him a has to explode. First-time director Steven Kastrissios second chance at parenting. Christian has created a film that meets all these finally finds the redemption he could not find through violence. requirements for the stereotype. “The Horseman” was released on But this film transcends B-movie staseveral underground circuits in Austratus and should soon be considered one of the best Australian underground films lia and New Zealand two years ago, but only recently has it crossed the Pacific to of all time. limited U.S. screenings. The film is called “The Horseman.” The DVD is also available in retail. “The Horseman” (2008) is a revenge I didn’t think I wanted to watch somethriller about a 45-year-old man named thing with such a depressing storyline Christian, played by Peter Marshall. His when I saw this film’s advertisement in a 19-year-old daughter, Jesse, has turned horror-themed magazine. up dead after a drug overdose. Against my better judgment, I watched Christian later discovers she was the beginning and was instantly hooked involved with an amateur pornograinto the well-paced and well-crafted phy syndicate and she may have been drugged and left for dead. story. “The Horseman” is definitely worth Christian confronts the head of the seeing for those who aren’t adverse to distribution company and finds out who watching an intense nail-biter with a was with Jesse before she died. He then embarks on a brutal rampage, dash of gritty violence. disguised as a municipally hired exterminator for the state of Queensland. The cinematography experiments with shades of gray, black and blue, giving the film a soggy, worn down feeling. The acting is tremendously well done. Nearly everyone has to get beaten up or burst into tears at one point in the story. There isn’t a single scene, however, that comes off as cheesy, despite the lowbudget status. It’s also astonishing to know most of the actors weren’t professional. “The Horseman” is pretty violent, but it isn’t violent in a humorously excessive way as many American films, such as “Machete” and “Inglorious Bastards.” The violence in “The Horseman” is emotional and realistic.

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Nearly everyone has to get beaten up or burst into tears at one point in the story.

Anthony Hopkins is a scary priest in “The Rite.” The movie premieres in theaters on Friday, Jan. 28.

Plays The musical “Billy Elliot” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 30, in Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte. Tickets start at $30.

CROSSWURD PUZZLE

What are you doing after graduation? Earn more money? Expand your career possibilities?

Get your Masters degree here at Winthrop! Down

2. Name of movie de Brueler reviewed. 3. What building recently reopened this spring? 5. What famous musical will be playing in Charlotte? (two words) 7. Name of construction company doing Phelps’ renovations.

Across

1. What is the last name of the new assistant sports editor? 4. What is the name of the grant that helps skin cell research? (acronym) 6. What reoccurring artist will perform at Winthrop on Jan. 28? (first and last name) 8. What is the last name of the new sports editor? 9. How many universities received the skin cell research grant? 10. Last name of Winthrop student who passed away.

Learn more at the Graduate School Open House Tuesday, January 25 Drop in anytime 5-6:30 p.m. Tuttle Dining room, McBryde Hall

803-323-2204

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

ALEXIS AUSTIN Culture Editor austina@thejohnsonian.com

Editor reflects on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Students from various organizations such as AmeriCorps and S.O.A.R. took time to volunteer at the “Back the Pack” program on Monday. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@ mytjnow.com

Holiday brings back memories, sense of joy By Alexis Austin austina@mytjnow.com

My two hands helped feed nearly 700 children and it only took about two hours. No, I'm not Jesus. I didn't take two loaves of bread, some fish and multiply it. I volunteered. On a day when most are sleeping in late, recuperating from the weekend and catching up on homework, I was up with about 60 other Winthrop students participating in "Back the Pack." "Back the Pack" is a program where food is collected and given to children who often go home to empty cupboards. The children attend school in the Rock Hill school district. Various programs at Winthrop donate food to the program. This is the third year of the "Back the Pack" program. Sue Kutz, a program volunteer, told me how grateful she was that so many students came to help this year. According to a survey done by the Rock Hill school district about three years ago, Kutz said one in 17 children go hungry during the weekend. She said that is about 1,100 children. Last year, “Back the Pack” was able to feed 675 of these children. Two boxes of juice, a fruit cup, Jell-O, cereal, a pack of crackers and other snacks made up the total of nine items that went into a Zip-Loc bag. One by one each person filled up their bag, representing one less day a child had to go home hungry. Shelves began to fill and my spirit began to rise. As the child of a single parent, I wasn't always fortunate to have a hot meal for dinner. I know what it's like to look into a refrigerator or cabinet and find nothing there. Oh, how I wish someone had done this for me 15 years ago. Knowing that I was able to prevent

this for someone else made me feel good though. I can only imagine how Jesus felt when he fed 5,000 people who were not expecting it. These children will also be surprised. While they are away at lunch, recess, art or physical education, someone will go into the classroom and put Zip-Loc bags of goodies in their bookbag. Not only was it good to know I was helping to fill an empty stomach, it was good to see so many African-American students come together on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to give back. Twenty-five years ago, Jan. 17 was declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a national day of service. Over 50 years ago the same man fought so African-Americans could drink from the same water fountain and attend the same schools as whites. Just as he fought for me so I would be treated equally, I said thank you to Dr. King by taking the time to give back to my community. I may never meet the children I helped. But as long as I don't see a Students put packed Zip-Loc bags on shelves. Enough bags were packed to feed child who died of starvation on the news, I know my deed was not done in about 700 children in Rock Hill. Photo by Kathleen Brown • brownk@mytjnow.com vain. No, I'm not Jesus. I'm not a saint, either. But with my two hands and a little time, I can do a lot.

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Oh, how I wish someone had done this for me 15 years ago. Alexis Austin Junior

HELP WANTED Serenity Salon and Spa in Rock Hill is looking for a part time receptionist! Needed for Tuesday through Friday. Calm environment, great benefits! Contact Lynne at 803-980-6200 or 803-322-7854

SPORTS BRIEFS Athlete of the Week Freshman basketball player Dequesha McClanahan was named Winthrop’s athlete of the week, averaging 13.5 points per game in the last two contests. McClanahan leads the team in scoring overall, averaging 12.5 points per game. She was also announced as the Big South’s freshman of the week for the fourth time this season.

Women’s soccer player featured in StudentAthlete spotlight Winthrop redshirt junior soccer player Ann Lutzenkirchen was featured in Musco Lighting’s Women’s Student Athlete Spotlight. The women’s soccer team had a memorable season in 2010, where they were crowned Big South champions before their loss to High Point in the semi-finals. Prior to last season, Lutzenkirchen, a broadcast journalism major, spent the summer interning in New York City for “The Late Night Show with David Letterman.” “It was just amazing every day walking through mid town Manhattan on the way to work,” Lutzenkirchen said.

Women’s tennis wins twice on Sunday

Winthrop’s women’s tennis team defeated the Hampton Pirates and Wofford Terriers 4-0 and 5-2, respectively, on Sunday. In single’s play, they won all games in straight sets. “I’m very proud of how our girls played today,” head coach Cid Carvalho said.

Track team running strong Defending Big South champion Kerry Sims won the 55 meter hurdles at the Appalachian State Open on Saturday. All-Big South Championship indoor performer Dexter Young took home second place in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches. “It was the competitive nature and a great fall that lifted these athletes up,” said coach Ben Paxton.

Men’s tennis favored to win Big South The men’s tennis team was voted as the favorite to repeat as Big South Champs for the upcoming season. The pick was based on the predictions made by each of the tennis head coaches within the conference. They are currently 1-1 on the season, with their next game on Saturday at UNCGreensboro.

JEFF BRODEUR Sports Editor brodeurj@mytjnow.com DAVID THACKHAM Assistant Sports Editor thackhamd@mytjnow.com

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

Cold shooting night freezes streak for Lady Eagles By David Thackham thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Going into halftime, Winthrop’s Lady Eagles seemed destined to stretch their five-game winning streak farther into the new year as they accrued a 30-20 lead against the Gardner Webb Bulldogs. However, in a game that was originally postponed due to snow, the Eagles went frigid on the floor in the final nine minutes, only scoring two points, which allowed a scrappy Bulldogs team to regain the lead and steal a vital conference win, 45-42. The 188 home fans who braved the elements to watch the game witnessed a tussle between two squads with very contrasting styles. While the Bulldogs preferred to penetrate the arc and rain down jumpers (63 field goal attempts), Winthrop was content to work with three point shooting (Lacey Lyons 4-6 from 3 points) and create counterattacks on any turnovers that fell their way (11 points off of turnovers). Turnovers were the story of the first half as the Eagles began to build their lead in the first 14 minutes. Gardner Webb’s Monique Hudson fumbled the ball in the paint, allowing Winthrop’s Dequesha McClanahan an open lane to seize her side’s first definitive lead, 21-16. The four-time Big South freshman of the week led her team in most minutes on the court, but finished with just eight points. The points remained elusive for the Bulldogs when Catrina Green and Brianna Dillard both missed wide-open shots off the bench with 2:48 left. Winthrop’s Lyons drained a three on the next possession before con-

verting two out of three late free throws to give Winthrop their tenpoint margin and confidence heading into the last period. The Eagles’ opportunistic offense was proving effective as they scored nine points off of turnovers and five from second-chance looks. However, complacency crept into the Winthrop team as the Bulldogs flew out of the traps in the early second half, with a 6-0 run in just over two minutes. Gardner Webb was much more clinical from the floor, improving their field goal shooting by 7.6 percent. Conversely, Winthrop’s starting five could not get out of their early rut. Ashley Cox, Mary Hathaway and McClanahan did not score a single point in the half. The Eagles’ bench provided no solace either, scoring just two points in the entire contest. A layup by TaQuoia Hammick extended the Winthrop lead back to eight with 12:51 left, but the Eagles found no more success on the offen-

sive front. Gardner Webb’s center Sandra Vaitkute (six points in second half) was ruthless in the paint before a simple transition layup by Sierra Little finally wrestled the lead away from the garnet and gold, 4243. Winthrop, which held the lead for over 25 minutes, suddenly found itself with 1:57 to gain it back. Unfortunately for the Eagles, dual missed jumpers by McClanahan combined with a late turnover by Kaitlyn Rubino with four seconds on the clock meant Winthrop’s streak had ended, in demoralizing fashion. The loss dropped the Eagles to 7-8 before a win over Radford on Jan. 15 boosted them back to .500. The Lady Eagles will be facing Presbyterian College at home on Monday before travelling to UNC Asheville on Jan. 22. Winthrop is currently 2-1 in the Big South Conference, a feat that has not been achieved since 2007.

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THURSDAY January 20, 2011

SPORTS

New sport on the block Winthrop adds women’s lacrosse; new coach to be announced soon By David Thackham thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Say goodbye to the World Cup. Give a quick au revoir to the BCS National Championship. Move over, Super Bowl. The trendy new fashion in sports these days is the dawn of mainstream lacrosse. Winthrop University vowed to continue the growing popularity of the sport by announcing the founding of a women’s lacrosse team, to be unveiled in the spring of 2012. Winthrop’s athletic director Tom Hickman praised the development, saying he was “confident” of the sport’s future, citing that lacrosse is “the fastest growingsport in the country.” The Big South is quickly becoming a testament to that sentiment. Virginia Military Institute (2004) Presbyterian College

(2006) and High Point University (2009) and were the first to fall prey to lacrosse fever. Plans are being made to institute programs in Coastal Carolina, Radford and Gardner Webb University in the near future. The decision to include lacrosse as the university’s seventeenth sport came after nearly a year of preparation by Hickman and the athletics department. Hickman described that the process began in the spring of 2010 when “[I] discussed it with the faculty of the advisory committee and we let them know it’s something we need to be looking at.” In the summer of last year, Hickman presented the idea to President DiGiorgio, and the motion to create a squad was approved in November. Before the inaugural team can be assembled, however, a coach must

be chosen. “We’re getting pretty close,” said Hickman on the developments since November. “The recent weather problems have hampered us a little, but we’re close to finishing up.” Jack Frost, head of media relations, said in an email, “the interview process is expected to be conducted over the next week or two.” Although it’s unclear which coaches have shown interest in the position, the eventual hire will have an uphill task ahead of them. Building a program from nonexistence to reality is rarely done with immediate success. The Presbyterian men’s team was 0-11 in its first season in 2008, conceding 182 goals while scoring only 57. Attracting talent to Rock Hill will be the most effective way to start the program on the right

note. “It’s going to be the big task for our new coach,” said Hickman, “recruiting, to find those seniors who are maybe not committed or not sure about their commitment or have a change of mind.” Fortunately, talent is becoming ever more prevalent as lacrosse’s popularity grows. Hickman says he has received five applications from prospective players to compete in the 2012 season. Winthrop has also worked had with club programs throughout the South and Midwest while keeping a close eye on its own Lacrosse Club for possible talent. “There may be some people on our club team here at Winthrop who are looking to continue their play [at a higher level],” said the athletic director. Hickman is confident that the

positions will be filled. “We will start in the spring of 2012, we will probably start with a minimum schedule to play, but we will have enough to fill the roster.” There will be less than five scholarship players on the team initially but that total will likely be adjusted when the quality of athletes recruited improve over time. The fledgling support for lacrosse in the South will provide the future women’s coach a variety of talent to pick from, including the league, Atlanta Youth Lacrosse as well as the many South Carolina high schools who have adopted lacrosse as a sport. By the beginning of 2012, Winthrop fans can expect lacrosse to no longer be a fad, but a burgeoning power on and off campus.

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Above: Lacrosse gloves are heavily-padded, worn by men’s lacrosse players and women’s lacrosse goalies. The gloves are designed to protect players’ hands, wrists and forearms from checks, or legal defensive hitting common in the sport.

Above: For women, lacrosse sticks can be 35.5 to 43.25 inches long. Women’s shafts are smaller in diameter compared to men’s, but top speeds of lacrosse shots with these sticks have been known to reach 80-90 miles per hour.

Left: The differences between men’s and women’s positions in lacrosse vary greatly. Women’s lacrosse allows 12 players on the field compared to the men’s version with 10 and focuses more on widespread play with its usual formation that includes four wingers.

UPCOMING EVENTS Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

January 20th vs. Radford University at 7 pm (HOME) January 22nd vs. High Point University at 7 pm (HOME)

January 22 vs. UNC Asheville at 2 pm (AWAY) January 24 vs. High Point University at 7 pm (AWAY) Women’s Tennis

Men’s Tennis January 22nd vs. UNC Greensboro at 4 pm (AWAY) Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field January 21-22 Hokie Invitational (AWAY)

January 22 vs. UNC at Chapel Hill at 10 am (AWAY) January 23 vs. Wake Forest University at 12 pm (AWAY) January 25 vs. Clemson University at 5 pm (AWAY)

THURSDAY January 20, 2011

THE JOHNSONIAN