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06/19/2013
The work of Associate Professor of Chemistry Takita Sumter was featured in the recent National Science Foundation Research's "Connecting Chemistry to Everyday Life" feature. The story's tagline is "Teaching focus ignites student interest in science."

The feature discusses how some of Winthrop's science faculty increased science literacy through medicinal and biological models. The every day-life context increased relevance and understanding for students and sparked more interest in pursuing science careers.

The study, led by Sumter, was part of an attempt to broaden participation by inspiring students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue scientific careers and to increase the representation of minorities in sciences through the promise of supportive projects and interaction with minority faculty.


06/04/2013
Assistant professor Marguerite A. Doman participated in the S.C. Affiliate Aspirations in Computing Awards this spring. The ceremony honors high school women who want to learn about computing.


06/04/2013
Lee Miller recently released her book, "Legends of Camp Cherokee," a loving tribute to the camp and its campers' fond memories of summers spent at Kings Mountain State Park.


05/30/2013
A piece composed for full orchestra by Associate Professor of Music Ron Parks appears on Navona Records' new CD, "Spellbound." Parks' piece, "Torque," was recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic and conducted by the late Robert Winstin.


05/21/2013

Sgt. Dewayne Bunch and Officer Thomas Dunham were recognized by two separate area civic organizations for their outstanding work in the field. The Optimist Club of Rock Hill honored Bunch during its annual Respect for Law program and the state's Office of Highway Safety commended him for improving driver safety.

Dunham will be named the 2013 Central City Optimistic Club Police Officer of the Year in June for his commitment to the Alive at 25 defensive driving program.



05/21/2013
Adjunct instructor Jon Prichard helped Charlotte artist John W. Love Jr. install Love's piece "Path of Yes" at the Mint Museum. Prichard created a wooden grid to hold the tiles of the piece. He also brought along some Winthrop students to create the tiles that cover the installation floor.


05/17/2013
Associate Professor Merry Sleigh recently published a study called "Professors' Facebook Content Affects Students' Perceptions and Expectations" in the peer-reviewed journal "Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking." The multi-year research was conducted with two former undergraduates, Jason Laboe and Aimee Smith.


05/13/2013

Natalie Jeter, admissions coordinator for the Graduate School, recently participated in Limestone College's spring Commencement exercises on May 11, 2013, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in human resources management.

Jeter also was inducated as a member of Sigma Beta Delta, the International Honor Society for Business Management and Administration majors. Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter. To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the upper 20 percent of the junior, senior or master’s class, and be invited to membership by the faculty officers.



05/06/2013
Marge Moody's exhibition "Paracosms" opens in Chicago at Space 1858. The exhibition consists of new small collages, drawings and watercolors. The official opening date is May 10. The exhibition will run until June 9.


04/09/2013
Jennifer Belk, assistant professor of design, has been named the winner of the 2013 Carol A. Kueker Construction Education Visionary Award, presented by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Education Foundation. The award recognizes a U.S. educator or advocate who is dedicated and passionate toward construction education. Belk was nominated and sponsored by the Charlotte chapter and will be presented the award at the National Convention in Seattle, Washington, in August.

Winthrop's interior design students participate annually with NAWIC by acting as judges for their Block Kids (Lego building) competition, a national program which promotes the knowledge of construction related trades to area children.


03/28/2013
Boyd Jones, director of university programming, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities.


03/28/2013
Instructor of Dance Meg Schriffen had one of her dance pieces, "Stirrings of Consciousness," chosen to be performed at the Southeast American College Dance Festival. The piece was one of 12 selected out of more than 40 submissions.


03/12/2013

John Timmons, assistant director of residence life for residence education, appeared twice on JohnTalkRadio, a show on BlogTalkRadio that focuses on independent artists and musicians. Timmons and his brother David have served as rock-and-roll historians. The first appearance was Dec. 15, 2012, entitled "The Beach Boys: Fifty Years of Endless Summer." The most recent appearance was March 9 called "A Look at the Debut Album: Where it All Begins for Performers."

Podcasts of both show are available online at the Timmons brothers' website or the JohnTalkRadio website.



03/05/2013
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Peter Judge was a featured guest on WFAE March 4, where he discussed  the history of the Papal Conclaves and how the selection process for the new Pope could go.


02/22/2013
Kelly Costner, assistant professor and coordinator of middle-level education, appeared with Sullivan Middle School teachers to discuss the diversity of students in the Rock Hill school district and the challenges and rewards that come with that population. The lecture was entitled "The World Down the Street, Part 1: English Language Learners in Rock Hill Schools."


01/22/2013
Adolphus G. Belk, Jr. was named to South Carolina's branch of the ACLU Board of Directors.


01/10/2013
Associate Professor of Dance Sandra Neels has an article published in this month's Dance Magazine. "Centerwork: Keeping the Past and Present" discusses Neels's reconstruction of the work of Merce Cunningham, famed choreographer for 70 years. She received a trust in his name, which provided funds for the restaging. She is expected to receive a second fellowship this year. 


01/04/2013
Tom Stanley and Shaun Cassidy will have their work showcased in the CATS Blue Line Extension Exhibition, opening Jan. 14 and closing Feb. 28. An opening reception is scheduled for Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Storrs Gallery, located at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte's College of Arts + Architecture. Their work will be seen at the Tom Hunter and McCullough stations. 


12/19/2012
Mark Mitchell, associate professor of education and project director of NetLEAD, was quoted in an Education Week article “More Principals Learn the Job in Real Schools,” which highlights Wallace Foundation programs and the work of several AREL Network programs—specifically Gwinnett County Public Schools, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Leadership Collaborative, Winthrop University, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The article demonstrates the positive impact of innovative principal preparation programs and speaks to the growing trend of training the next generation of school leaders in a real world, practical environment.


11/29/2012
Tom Stanley showcased one of two exhibits at if ART Gallery in Columbia, S.C. Tom Stanley: Glossary-Untitled Paintings will run from Dec.7-24 at the gallery, located at 808 Lady Street. An artists' reception is Friday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.


10/30/2012
Tom Stanley was a featured artist/presenter at the South Carolina Art Education Association (SCAEA) Staff Development Conference in Myrtle Beach.


10/30/2012
Shaun Cassidy was a featured artist/presenter at the South Carolina Art Education Association (SCAEA) Staff Development Conference in Myrtle Beach.




08/03/2012
Associate professor Seymour Simmons spent the last academic year on sabbatical, doing research on the potentials of learning to draw for developing creative, critical and reflective thinking applicable to the visual arts and across curriculum. Interests included exploring the role of drawing in holistic development and integrating intellectual, emotional and sensory motor faculties. He served as a visiting official at Columbia and Harvard Universities, working on Project Zero and for a National Science Foundation Grant. He was a presenter at the National Art Education Association professional development conference.


07/27/2012
Associate professor Bradley Witzel will help students who struggle in math during his fall semester sabbatical. Using research on the arithmetic-to-algebra gap, he will develop assessments, interventions and training for teachers in South Carolina, Kansas, Vermont and Massachusetts. Topics include K-1 number line instruction, middle school fractions interventions and high school motivation.



07/23/2012
Dr. Stevie Chepko, Physical Education, will be a featured keynote speaker at a National Physical Education Institute event July 30-Aug. 3 in Asheville, N.C. Chepko, who is chair of Winthrop's Physical Education Teacher Education program, will talk about how important skill development is to a stable K-12 education program and explore the best practices to achieve that goal.