The Hellams Award for Excellence in Physical Education is presented annually in memory of Harriett Hellams who received her B.S. degree from Winthrop in 1945. Ms. Hellams died following a diving accident the summer after her graduation. The award is presented to a senior who qualifies on the basis of scholarship, character, leadership, professional involvement, enthusiasm and social qualities.
"These past four years at Winthrop have been an amazing journey, and my experiences here have helped me grow into the person that I am today. I have worked extremely hard at Athletic Training, and I successfully completed all of my classes and clinical rotations despite this major being very challenging. I aspire to work as a certified Athletic Trainer in a clinic or hospital in the Charlotte area, and I look forward to growing into the best Athletic Trainer that I can be. I also desire to obtain a Master's degree in Health Care Management in a few years to continue to broaden the scope of my education. Winning the Hellams Award is a huge honor because it is a reflection of all of the hard work I have done as a Winthrop Eagle." Imani McLaughlin
The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding major within the Athletic Training program. The recipient shall have a quality GPA, demonstrates consistent service to school or community, and pursue a professional association membership.
"I have enjoyed my past four years at Winthrop immensely. Being in the athletic training program has helped me grow as a person as well as an athletic training professional. My favorite experience in the past four years are my clinical experiences and getting to work with a variety of athletes at Winthrop and various high schools. Next year I will be attending medical school at Lincoln Memorial University to pursue a specialty in Sports Medicine." Emma Lang
The Bert Bobb Award: Most Outstanding ATRN Clinical Experience
This award recognizes a student for outstanding performance in clinical experiences. Students in the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) are eligible for this award during their final clinical experience rotation.
"I have had amazing clinical experiences throughout my years at Winthrop. The preceptors I've had inspired me to continue my journey to becoming an athletic trainer. One of my favorite clinical experiences was when I was working with a high school football team last fall and they won their first playoff game during overtime. It was so exciting and I was grateful I chose a career path that I truly enjoy. After I graduate I will be attending Missouri State University to pursue my master's in Advanced Athletic Training while working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer with Drury University's swim and dive team." Olivia Acheson
The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding major within the Exercise Science program. The recipient shall have a quality GPA, demonstrate consistent service to school or community, and pursue a professional association membership.
"My favorite degree program experience is the support that I had from my professors throughout my undergraduate career. They made themselves available to me to write letters of recommendation as I applied to graduate school and as I completed a Greek organization application process. They also provided me with guidance and advice. I aspire to become a nurse practitioner. I will begin matriculating at MUSC in an accelerated nursing program this fall. I also would like to work in cardiac rehabilitation throughout graduate school because that is something I can do with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. I am grounded by God and driven by determination. I know that my future is bright. I refuse to be dimmed; I will continue to be a transcendent light that radiates and illuminates this world while also blinding out negativity and darkness!" Wilesha Moore
This award recognizes a student for outstanding performance in the exercise science internship.
"My favorite part of my degree program experience was the lively lectures and conversations I would have regularly with my professors. It was always very cognitively stimulating and I believe it was a large contributor to my academic success. I am continuing on to graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill. I will be pursuing my master's degree in exercise and sports science with a concentration in exercise physiology. My career goals include getting my PhD, conducting research, and teaching at the collegiate level. I am quite honored to be recognized for this award and I owe most of my success to the incredibly supportive faculty at Winthrop." Zain Anderson
The Taylor Award was established in 2000 to honor Dr. Mickey Taylor for her lifelong commitment to the preparation of physical education teachers. Dr. Taylor provided leadership in teacher education at Winthrop and throughout South Carolina. This award recognizes a student for outstanding performance in a teaching internship.
"My Winthrop experience has been full of so many wonderful blessings and exciting experiences. ONe of my favorite memories is when I went on a backpacking trip in one of my PESH classes my sophomore year. This trip was a wonderful time just spending time in nature, being physically active, and bonding with other PESH students and faculty. In the future, I am pursing an internship with RUF for two years but hope to return to teaching physical education after my internship is complete. This award is such an honor and encouragement for me to continue to apply I've learned in my degree over the past 4 years and help teach others the importance of living a physically active lifestyle." Stephen Berry
The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding major within the Physical Education Teacher Education program. The recipient shall have a quality GPA, demonstrate consistent service to school or community, and pursue a professional association membership.
"My Winthrop experience has been full of so many wonderful blessings and exciting experiences. One of my favorite memories is when I went on a backpacking trip in one of my PESH classes my sophomore year. This trip was a wonderful time just spending time in nature, being physically active, and bonding with other PESH students and faculty. In the future, I am pursuing an internship with RUF for two years, but hope to return to teaching physical education after my internship is complete. This award is such an honor and encouragement for me to continue to apply what I've learned in my degree over the past 4 years and help teach others the importance of living a physically active lifestyle." Stephen Berry
The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding major within the Sport Management program. The recipient shall have a quality GPA, demonstrate consistent service to school or community, and pursue a professional association membership.
"Thank you to my family, my Sport Management Professors, and most importantly my adviser, Dr. Chung. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to become a better student each and every day. I am so humbled and honored to receive this award. I am very grateful for being a small part of THE best program at Winthrop University. After graduation, I will be attending Liberty University pursuing a Masters of Science in Sport Management with a Sport Administration Thesis. Thank you Winthrop University and thank you to all of my professors and fellow students. Go Eagles!" Kirsten Stewart
This award recognizes a student for outstanding performance in a sport management internship.
"I can confidently say transferring to Winthrop was one of the best decisions I ever made! I found my best friends, learned from the coolest professors, and met my husband in the years to follow. Outdoor experiential education has become my professional passion. I am planning to continue pursuing the field post graduation. With the SPMA major and OUTL minor I am equipped with managerial skills, facilitation experience, so many stories from campus, and riddles from the class trip trails. So here's a huge thank you to my professors and role models at Winthrop! Keep on keepin' on my friends!" Mollie Barron Mylander
This award was established in September 1994 by friends and students in honor of Dr. Mary Roland Griffin, professor emeritus, for her many years of devotion to preparing physical education students. This award is given each year to the outstanding graduate student in the Master of Science in Sport and Fitness Administration program.
"I am honored to be the recipient of the Mary Roland Griffin Outstanding Student award for the 2nd straight year in Winthrop's PESH Department! There have been so many memorable experiences that have shaped my undergraduate and graduate careers over the past six years at WU. I have been fortunate to serve in various leadership, academic, and extracurricular positions. I have also gained a ton of experience as a 2nd-year Graduate Assistant in the PESH Department. I have taught Basic Instruction courses like Weight Training, Fitness Walking, and Intermediate Basketball, as well as worked closely with professors to facilitate student outcomes and learning. Furthermore, I have gained additional experience as a fitness professional throughout the grad school. Upon graduation in May, I plan to pursue my PhD in Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina as a research assistant in the Arnold Childhood Obesity Initiative and a Scholar in the Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program. After obtaining a PhD, I plan to pursue a career as a professor and researcher in the field." James White