Palmetto Report
By Palmetto Report
Palmetto ReportMay 09, 2022
Winthrop theatre production 'Everybody' explores life & death
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The Winthrop University Theater Department hosted a performance of "Everybody" by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, last weekend in the Johnson Hall Studio Theater, which explored the themes of life, death and its meaning. The show was a 21st-century adaptation of the 15th-century morality play "Everyman," as the main travels down a road toward life's greatest mystery. The Palmetto Report's Will Locklin Elliott spoke with Eden Cook, the director of the show.
Winthrop police chief discusses his role, campus safety
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University officially ended its search for a new chief of police by promoting Charles S. Yearta from interim chief to the role full-time on Sept. 12. Yearta, who was excited to take on his new role, said was both honored and intimidated by the responsibilities that came along with being the chief of police at Winthrop. He spoke with our Cheryl Clack about his new role and campus safety.
Winthrop President Serna discusses first four months on the job
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Edward Serna celebrated his fifth month as the new Winthrop University president on Dec. 1 and he appeared as the first guest on the Palmetto Report's new vodcast to discuss his first few months on the job. Serna, who is a Winthrop graduate, returned to the school after serving as president of the University of Maine at Farmington. "It has been exciting, it has been overwhelming, it has been wonderful," said Serna, was in the studio for the interview on Oct. 24 "It has gone by very quickly. I can't believe I've already been here four months, but it's fantastic to be back in Rock Hill and at Winthrop." Ainsley McCarthy spoke with Serna about some of his memories of his time as a non-traditional undergraduate student, as well as the tools that he will use to shape Winthrop University’s future, including talking to current students.
Read more: https://palmettoreport.com/2022/12/09/serna-discusses-first-months-as-wu-president/
NAMI Piedmont Tri-County works to provide services, education for mental illness (part 2)
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is one of the many non-profit organizations that are centered around mental health and education on mental illness. NAMI offers many virtual tools, including a helpline, a video resource library and online discussion groups. However, different locations around the country offer different in-person and even more virtual activities. The Palmetto Report's Ashlynn Hinson speaks with Betsey O'Brien, director of NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, about the group's work in South Carolina.
NAMI Piedmont Tri-County works to provide services, education for mental illness (part 1)
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is one of the many non-profit organizations that are centered around mental health and education on mental illness. NAMI offers many virtual tools, including a helpline, a video resource library and online discussion groups. However, different locations around the country offer different in-person and even more virtual activities. One of these, NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, offers a physical location known as The Hut where anyone can come visit, whether it’s to relax and play video games, or to join a support group. Kati Durkee, the outreach coordinator for NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, told the Palmetto Reports she thinks Winthrop students can benefit from using The Hut, which has couches, a TV and an Xbox, computers and a kitchen stocked with snacks.
Winthrop moves forward with campus construction projects
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- There are a number of construction projects underway on the Winthrop University campus, which are causing issues for some students, faculty and staff. Winthrop has started working on its campus beautification initiative; a construction project focused on renewing and revitalizing the campus grounds. The project is currently focused on replacing the tiles on the path in between the West Center and the DiGiorgio Campus Center. James Grigg, associate vice president of facilities management at Winthrop, joined the Palmetto Report to give an update on the construction projects.
Winthrop students say sports are viewed differently in the US, especially soccer
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- A number of Winthrop University students say they've noticed a difference between the way sports are played in the U.S. versus internationally, with soccer being one of the best examples. The Palmetto Report's Logan Elrod spoke with Emily Patterson, president of the Winthrop soccer club, and Arthur Le Corguillé, an international student from France, about the differences in how sports like soccer are played outside the U.S.
Winthrop alum starts website devoted to prep sports in Fort Mill
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Mac Banks has seen a lot of changes in the print industry since he graduated from Winthrop University in 1999, including the closure of hundreds of newspapers and the loss of thousands of jobs in print media. Banks -- who currently writes for the Lancaster News -- has started Fort Mill Prep Sports, which is a website that covers high school sports in Fort Mill township, including the schools Catawba Ridge, Fort Mill and Nation Ford. Banks, who has also covered sports for the Rock Hill Herald and the Aiken Standard over his 20-plus-year career in media, was a guest on the Palmetto Report to discuss the site.
Rock Hill art exhibit aims to 'humanize homelessness'
(Rock Hill, S.C.) — The Pathways Community Center in Rock Hill has joined with a number of community partners to develop and present an immersive art exhibit, which is intended to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding homelessness. The "Humanizing Homelessness" exhibit will be on display May 12-19, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m, at the Lowenstein Building, located at 300 Technology Center Way in Rock Hill. Alex Greenawalt, the director of Pathways who has been working to organize the event, was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast to the exhibit.
Winthrop trustees removal of student, faculty reps draws criticism
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Changes to the Winthrop University board of trustees’ bylaws last summer, which removed the student and faculty representatives from the board, have drawn criticism, including from some who have seen the changes firsthand. The changes, which were unanimously approved in June 2021, called for the creation of student, faculty and staff “liaisons” to the board. “Previous to this, there were two positions that represented the students and faculty respectively; a student representative and a faculty representative,” said Chase Duncan, managing editor of The Johnsonian, who was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast.
All On Board hosts talent show, works to end substance abuse in York County
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Students from across York County were able to showcase their skills, singing songs and performing music, over the weekend at the 3rd annual All On Board Coalition student talent, which was open to students in grades from 7-12. All On Board uses the event, which was held April 29 in Rock Hill, to connect with young people and raise awareness of the group's mission to prevent youth substance abuse in York County. "The talent show was a huge success, which was exactly what we wanted," said Ashli Watts, executive director of the nonprofit, who was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast.
Winthrop student hosts return to Eagle Air radio after pandemic, technical issues
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University's streaming radio station returned to the air with a student staff this spring after three semesters of limited operations, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and technical problems. Eagle Air, which is operated by the mass communication department, broadcasts 24 hours a day via web stream and and the free TuneIn internet radio app and features popular and college music spanning seven decades. Typically, the station has had a student staff, which serve as hosts and announcers at various times throughout the weekday. However, students were unable to host live shows on Eagle Air since the spring 2020 semester, prior to the start of the pandemic. Mark Nortz, senior instructor of mass communication and co-adviser to Eagle Air, appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast to discuss the station's history and the return of the student staff.
Winthrop study abroad returns, as pandemic nears endemic phase
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – As COVID-19 moves from the pandemic phase to endemic and restrictions across the globe are reduced, the study abroad program at Winthrop University has returned and school officials are looking to recruit students to participate. Prior to the pandemic, Winthrop sent hundreds of students to study abroad over the last decade, as the university has student exchange agreements with eight foreign colleges and partnerships with at least 13 other schools. Taylor Evans, the study abroad adviser at Winthrop, joined the Palmetto Report to discuss the program and explain the new COVID-19 protocols that students should prepare for, if they plan to study abroad.
South Carolina brings back firing squads as a form of execution
(Rock Hill, S.C.) — The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced on March 18 that it's now able to carry out an execution by firing squad, which has started a national conversation about the appropriateness of the method. No one has been executed in South Carolina since 2011, as the state has had trouble gaining access to the drugs needed for lethal injections, and firing squads are meant to be an alternative until the state can get access to the drugs again. Dr. Patricia Hovis, chair of the criminal justice department at York Technical College; Dr. Scott Huffman, director of the Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research and professor of political science at Winthrop; and Dr. David Meeler, associate professor of philosophy at Winthrop joined the Palmetto Report to discuss the topic.
Winthrop esports team continues to compete without a coach
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – The Winthrop University esports team continues to compete, despite not having a full-time coach to work closely with students, after former head coach Josh Sides stepped down from his position in December last year. Chuck Rey, Winthrop's interim athletic director and head volleyball coach, has stepped in to help oversee the team, which players say has been helpful. Matthew Hoshauer, a freshman computer science major who leads the Super Smash Brothers subdivision of Winthrop’s esports team, joined the Palmetto Report to discuss the challenges the team has faced without a coach.
Winthrop prepares to become a 'laptop campus' by August
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University says it's making preparations to become a "laptop campus" by August, which would require every student to have a laptop for the 2022-23 school year. The school says it's making upgrades to its Wi-Fi system in residence halls and academic buildings and the Winthrop Bookstore will begin selling laptops, which meet the university's specifications. The move comes after the school's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to make the transition from campus-wide desktop computers to laptops, at a quarterly meeting Oct. 29. Andrew Besmer, an associate professor of computer science, and Michael Rego, a computer science major, joined the Palmetto Report to discuss the transition.
Winthrop fine arts students discuss their annual senior exhibit 'Menagerie'
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Winthrop University is hosting its annual senior exhibition, which features the work of senior students who are completing their degree requirements in the Department of Fine Arts. The exhibit entitled “Menagerie,” which opened April 4, will be on display until May 6 in the Rutledge Gallery and Lewandowski Student Gallery. Winthrop seniors Grayce Kellam and Griffin Cordell joined the Palmetto Report to discuss their experiences in the art department and their contributions to the exhibit.
Winthrop music major James Amaker II says the school has helped fuel his talents
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The Winthrop University music department has allowed many students to strengthen and share their musical talents, both in and outside of the classroom. For James Amaker II, a freshman music education major, the program has enabled him to create and experiment with his craft. “I've been able to connect and create with so many students,” he said. Amaker II, who has been creating music since he was 16 years old, said he feels his musical talents have only grown since arriving at Winthrop.
Nurse-Family Partnership works to help first-time mothers
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The Nurse-Family Partnership is a program that works with low-income, first-time mothers to help them to improve their lives and create a better future for themselves and their babies. The program pairs women with specially trained nurses who regularly visit the young, soon-to-be moms early in their pregnancy until the child’s second birthday, in order to provide training, guidance and support. The Palmetto Report's Keha McKinney speaks with South Carolina nurse Nancy Cannada about the program.
Winthrop students lobby to improve accessibility on campus
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- A group of Winthrop University students is working to raise awareness of accessibility issues on campus, including elevators that don't work, broken blue light emergency phones or a lack of ramps and street crossing signs. WU Students for Change, a campus advocacy group, has started to draw attention to the issues with elevators, staircases, ramps and audible beaconing crosswalk signals, which have broken in the last few months. The Palmetto Report's Gabe Corbin speaks with Ainsley McCarthy, a sophomore mass communication major and leader of WU Students for Change who has cerebral palsy and requires a wheelchair for movement, about the accessibility challenges on campus.
Winthrop strength and conditioning works to prepare student athletes
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Developing muscle and getting stronger and faster is something that can be challenging for many Winthrop University athletes who are trying to compete at the division one level. Winthrop head strength coach Ben Abbott says he understands the challenges athletes face and takes it upon himself to give them the best chance to develop and compete at a high level. The Palmetto Report's Joey Tepper, who is a member of the Winthrop baseball team, spoke with Abbott about training student athletes.
Miracle League baseball opens play in Rock Hill
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Rock Hill’s Miracle Park baseball league, which invites people of all abilities and ages to play, opened play Oct. 9. The Palmetto Report's JaKayla Cornish speaks with Terry Hagen, programmer for Miracle Park, about the opening of the park and its baseball league.
Winthrop hosts 23rd annual US Disc Golf Championship
(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University hosted the 23rd annual U.S. Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) Oct. 6-9, which is one of the most prestigious events in the sport. Jacob Cullum speaks with USDGC tournament director Jonathan Poole about the event.
Winthrop celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Winthrop University’s campus programming board, the DiGiorgio Student Union (DSU), celebrated Hispanic Heritage month -- Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 -- by hosting two back-to-back events highlighting Hispanic culture. Hispanic students make up about 5% of the student body at Winthrop, but in recent years, some students have said they've felt underrepresented on campus. The Palmetto Report's Abigail Helm speaks with Willie Bush, Winthrop’s assistant for campus programming, about what the university is doing to promote Hispanic heritage.
Winthrop's Tillman ghost tours draws attention to the evolution of ghost stories
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The annual ghost tours of Tillman Hall on the Winthrop University campus are planned for Oct. 22-23 from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
However, Tillman isn’t the only building on campus that is reportedly haunted. Margret Nance, Johnson Hall and the Little Chapel are also said to be haunted, according to many current and former students, staff and alumni.
Why do ghost stories arise and what do they mean? The Palmetto Report’s Christian Smith speaks with Sean McCloud, a religious studies professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, to learn more about the evolution of ghost stories.
Rock Hill's 'community fridge' helps to feed the hungry
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – During the height of the pandemic in August 2020, the Mercantile, located on in Rock Hill, came up with a way to help those in need by starting the "Rock Hill Community Fridge." The fridge is available 24 hours a day for individuals to pick up, but also drop off food items, as needed. The Palmetto Report's Kevin Seabrook speaks with Brittany Kelly, owner of The Mercantile, about the project.
Winthrop grad was a codebreaker during WWII
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Jeuel Bannister Esmacher was a junior at Winthrop University -- known then as Winthrop College -- in 1943 when the military took over Bancroft Hall to set up classes and living space for the Army Air Corps Cadet Training Program. It was at that time, during the height of World War II, when Esmacher, now 97, was first introduced to cryptology.
Esmacher -- who currently lives in Anderson, but grew up in Starr, S.C. -- was one of 10,000 women who worked for the Army and Navy as codebreakers during World War II. Her story was unknown, until it was featured in the 2017 award-winning and New York Times best-selling book, "Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II," which interviewed several women about their secret work during the war.
The Palmetto Report's Audrey Burriss speaks with Esmacher about her experience as a codebreaker.
Winthrop to host graduation ceremonies in-person
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University's first in-person commencement ceremony since December 2019 is set to take place with five separate ceremonies that will span three days from May 6-8. Each ceremony will have a capacity of about 1,400 people in the Winthrop Coliseum, with an allotment of four guests per graduate. The Palmetto Report's Kristal Herrin speaks with Tim Drueke -- assistant provost for curriculum and program support at Winthrop and chair of the commencement committee -- about the plans for the ceremonies and his role in leading their execution.
Winthrop hosts annual LIFT conference to promote student leadership
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The Winthrop University Office of Student Activities held its annual leadership conference, which is intended to educate students on leadership skills, provide networking opportunities and create self-awareness. The LIFT Conference -- short for Leadership Institute for First-Timers -- is a student led, one-day professional development seminar held every spring semester for undergraduate and graduate students. The Palmetto Report's Da’Vette Peoples speaks with Calvin Joyner, assistant director for student organizations and leadership at Winthrop, about the conference.
Kings Mountain controlled burns highlight need for prescribed fire
(Blacksburg, S.C.) -- The Kings Mountain National Military Park is conducting a series of controlled burns this spring, which are intended to reduce the risk of wildfires and improve the habit of wildlife. The Palmetto Report's Kevin Seabrook speaks with Jennifer Schafer, an assistant professor of biology at Winthrop University, about the importance of prescribed fires to maintain a healthy environment.
York County groups work to help the homeless
(York County, S.C.) -- Many groups throughout York County are working together to combat homelessness, by implementing programs, such as rent assistance and providing temporary housing, to help the homeless in the county. The Palmetto Report’s Savannah Scott speaks with Leslie Starnes, executive director of Family Promise of York County, about the group's efforts to help families and end generational homelessness.
Winthrop grad works to help students struggling with mental health
(Fort Mill, S.C.) -- As LaJoyce Jones was nearing graduation from Winthrop University in 2018, with a master of business administration degree, things seemed to be going well, as she had just found a job and moved into a new apartment.
However, Jones was struggling mentally and emotionally and her closest family was three hours away in her hometown of Charleston, S.C.
The Palmetto Report’s Shardai Figgures speaks with Jones about Always and Forever, a group she launched in 2019 that helps connect college students with mental health resources.
Pet adoptions up in Carolinas during pandemic
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, pet adoption rates have soared across the country, as many adoption centers have reported an increase in people wanting some form of companionship, due to an increased amount of isolation that people have been experiencing. The Palmetto Report's Alex Romano speaks with Katie Harrelson, manager of the Mac Tabby Cat Café in Charlotte, N.C., about how the pandemic has impacted the number of adoptions at the café.
NC natural science museum hosts virtual class on paleontology
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has started a virtual class for viewers globally with its ongoing paleontology series "Old News: What’s New in Paleontology." The series began in January of 2019 and goes live on YouTube once a month. The Palmetto Report's Taylor James speaks with outreach specialist Laura Beth Speer and Christian Kammerer, research curator of paleontology, from the Museum of Natural Sciences, about the web series.
Winthrop fans get creative to support teams during pandemic
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- One year ago Winthrop University fans stormed the court at the Winthrop Coliseum in celebration of the men's basketball program's 11th Big South Conference Championship. Those celebrations were short lived as COVID-19 spread across the U.S. and the world, changing how fans could support their teams. The Palmetto Report's Collins Janus speaks with Winthrop student and fan Mark Laming about how he has followed the team during the pandemic.
Tega Cay fun park hosts only haunted house in York County
(Tega Cay, S.C.) – Mr. Putty’s Fun Park in Tega Cay recently opened its first haunted house, which features a cast of Winthrop University students and alumni. The attraction called the "Frightmare on Dam Road" opened Oct. 2 and organizers say it's the only haunted house in York County. The Palmetto Report's Emily Hildebrand speaks with Robert Casatelli, the general manager and designer of the haunted house, about the attraction.
Rock Hill, SC musician talks about adapting to pandemic
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- While the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the lives of most everyone, one group has been particularly affected: musicians. Performing live has become the way that the overwhelming majority of musicians make money and many of them are feeling the financial and artistic consequences of being forced off of the road. Rock Hill, S.C.-based producer and musician Sam Booth, who performs with Texas-based Christian band The Gladsome Light and up-and-coming country artist Kameron Marlowe, said some of his tour dates were abruptly cancelled right as the lockdowns started. The Palmetto Report's Matt Thrift speaks with Booth about the music scene post COVID-19.
Keystone of Rock Hill working to 'shatter the stigma' of addiction
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Many have called drug addiction an epidemic in the U.S., which is affecting communities at city, state and national levels.
According to the United Health Foundation, drug deaths have increased by 34 percent in South Carolina over the last three years. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates 20 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder.
"Addiction is a disease, but it's manageable, it's treatable and it's something that people can recover from and still have an awesome life. So we want to shatter that stigma in any way we can," said Alex Greenawalt, prevention director at Keystone Substance Abuse Services in Rock Hill.
Petition calling for 'resignation' of Winthrop board of trustees gains 1,600 signatures
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Earlier this year, Winthrop University student Nathan Crunkilton started an online petition calling for the resignation of the school's board of trustees.
The petition on Change.org also called for a "vote of no confidence" after what Crunkilton called "alarming and disappointing actions" associated with the hiring of interim President George Hynd.
The petition has caught the attention of many in the Winthrop community, collecting more than 1,600 signatures, as of May 6.
Crunkilton, who was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast, said he and many others within the student body felt left in dark about the board's handling of the change in leadership.
Winthrop softball player reacts to cancelation of spring sports
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – The Winthrop University softball team is one of countless collegiate sports teams across the country that saw their seasons end early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCAA announced the cancelation of all spring championships on March 12, but with the fate of regular season games and conference championships in the hands of conference commissioners, many athletes still hoped their seasons were not completely over.
Ashley Westbrooks, a senior on Winthrop’s softball team, said she and her teammates tried to remain positive when they first heard the news.
“The whole time we were sitting there (telling ourselves) ‘We’re going to come back – they’re just going to let this week happen or however long it is and then you’re going to come back soon,’” said Westbrooks, who appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast. “It just never happened.”
Clinton College shooting draws attention to campus violence
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- A shooting in February at Clinton College, which is roughly two miles from Winthrop University, has drawn attention to the issues of campus safety and school violence.
Feb. 16, two male teenagers, one who was 17 and the other who was 18, were shot at the Clinton College gym in Rock Hill around 1 a.m. WSOC-TV reported the gym was rented for a birthday party by a group that was not affiliated with the school.
Neither victim was a student at Clinton College and both were expected to be okay. There were no fatalities and no Clinton College students, faculty or staff were hurt during the shooting, the school said.
At Winthrop, the incident generated a discussion about campus safety and school violence.
“Continuing to educate students staff on being vigilant of your surroundings, listen to your gut if it’s telling you something doesn’t feel right, and how do you get help if there is a concern,” said Melissa Reeves, associate professor of psychology at Winthrop, who was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast.
Providing college students with health education
(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Managing personal health among many students can be difficult due to the stress of classes, homework and maintaining relationships and a social life during their time at college.
Dr. Shelley Hamill, a master certified health education specialist and professor of health education at Winthrop University, appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast to give her insights on the skills students need in order to preserve their health while in college.
She said there are eight basic standards of health education.
“The first standard is about content, but every other standard is skill. We teach (students) things like goal-setting, decision-making, making sure that the resources that you’re looking at for information are valid and reliable, communication and being able to stand up for yourself, all of these standards are built around skills,” said Hamill.
Food insecurity a 'huge problem' in Rock Hill, York County
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- A report conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found approximately 1 out of 9 Americans (11.1 percent) were food insecure in 2018 and according to experts it's a "huge problem" in Rock Hill and York County.
One group working to combat the problem is Pilgrim’s Inn, a nonprofit organization founded in 1984, which also strives to help and empower the homeless, families in need and those struggling with food and financial insecurity.
According to Juanita Lester, the executive director of Pilgrim’s Inn, food insecurity can be defined in multiple ways depending on every individual’s situation.
“In some cases, food insecurity may be defined as not having access to food. In others, it’s not having access to healthy or adequate food. Or it could be not being able to determine what types of food are best for you because of health issues or other types of issues that mandate you eat a certain type of diet,” said Lester.
Statistics collected by Pilgrim’s Inn show the food pantry provided food to 3,702 people in 2019. officials said the elderly and disabled are often the most impacted by food insecurity.
Former President Dan Mahony discusses his departure and time at Winthrop
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Former Winthrop University President Dan Mahony resigned from his position, effective March 1 after five years of service, in order to become president of the Southern Illinois University system. On Dec. 3, students, faculty and staff received an email from the university's board of trustees informing them about the change in leadership.
Mahony -- who spoke exclusively to the Palmetto Report, during a podcast, to discuss his departure and reflect on his time at Winthrop -- said it was difficult for him to leave the school.
“I was in the last year of my contract, I didn't expect it to be extended so that obviously had an impact on my decision to look at other opportunities,” said Mahony. "Frankly I was little concerned that people would think I was abandoning them or leaving for reasons that I was unhappy with them at Winthrop, the people, the faculty, staff and students. That was obviously not the case."
Examining the evolving role of women in sports
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The world of sports, and the role of female athletes, has certainly evolved since the days of the peach basket hoop and the moleskin football helmet.
Nevertheless, while men’s sports have excelled in drawing fan attention and generating revenue, women continue to struggle to garner similar opportunities. Title IX was passed in 1972 to ensure that no individuals, on the basis of sex, could be discriminated against in programs or activities.
Lauren McCoy, program director for Winthrop University's Sports and Fitness Administration program and an assistant professor of sport management, is a sports lawyer who has researched the role of women in sports. She was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast to discuss the issue.
McCoy has examined cases associated with Title IX and Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination, which has allowed her to gain a unique perspective on the issues women face in sports.
“I would say that the general status, when it comes to women and girls in sport, is we’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” McCoy said.
Rock Hill building an inclusive 'Miracle Park'
(Rock Hill, S.C.) – Rock Hill is working to build one of the very first all-inclusive parks in the nation. City leaders officially broke ground in December for Miracle Park, a 15-acre, $8 million project that has been in the making since 2017. The park is expected to have five ball fields total, with two of them being "miracle fields" designed for anyone to be able to play on, while the rest will be multipurpose.
The York County Disabilities Foundation is one of the many groups working on construction of the park. Alice Davis, a member of the group, was a guest on the Palmetto Report podcast to share more information about the park. Davis said that the inspiration for Miracle Park came about after spending a lot of time thinking about a project the foundation could work on using money they had raised.
“My brother actually has a nephew in a wheelchair that plays in Greenville on a miracle league and he was telling us about it. We said we wanted to have a miracle league in Rock Hill. We dreamed big and we decided to push forward with our big, big plan instead of just a field,” said Davis.
WU professor encourages civil discourse during political discussions
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- With South Carolina’s primary out of the way and the November presidential election quickly approaching, politics has been a hot topic lately in many households.
Whether it was one of Tom Steyer’s numerous online ads prior to the primary or an uncle that brings it up the election in passing, it’s nearly impossible to escape the conversation of politics.
These discussions can be especially hard for students, considering college is a time when people are figuring out their political beliefs, which can mean turning away from the belief system one was brought up in.
“I think the stereotype is that a lot of people come to college and become more liberal,” said Dr. John Holder, political science professor at Winthrop University, who appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast. “What we’re trying to teach you to do in college is not to be more liberal, but to be more open-minded. We’re exposing you to things you haven’t heard before and ideas you haven’t heard about before.”
US Census 2020 underway this month
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Research by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that over a million children were undercounted during the last census in 2010 and minorities and homeless populations were at a greater risk of being miscounted.
The 2020 census begins nationwide this month and the U.S. Census Bureau is working to get an accurate count of every person in local communities, especially those from diverse backgrounds.
An accurate count is essential as the resulting data determines congressional representation, federal funding and the locations of new hospitals, roads and schools.
“The census is important for multiple reasons, the first being that it’s mandated in the U.S. Constitution that we conduct a census or a count of our population every 10 years,” said Lindy Studds, a media specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau who was a guest on the Palmetto Report. “The real importance I think boils down to two things which is political power and money.”
Media professional shares her experiences with Winthrop students
(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University students in the Department of Mass Communication recently were given the opportunity to hear from a media professional who visited the school, as part of an exchange program that connects educators with media organizations.
As part of the program, Tasha Stewart, a senior manager of engagement at WCPO, visited Winthrop to discuss how technology, including social media, is changing the way news is delivered.
“It’s been really fun,” said Stewart. “I’m really surprised by how interested people are in what I do. You kind of get used to doing it and you forget that there are people who want to know about it and that’s been personally fulfilling for me.”
Stewart, who graduated from Howard University, began working at the Cincinnati ABC-affiliate in April 2015, after stints at The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Detroit News.
Stewart shared a number of stories related to her job managing digital storytelling, social media and streaming content for the station.
Winthrop men's basketball coach Pat Kelsey reflects on season, ahead of Big South tournament
(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- The Winthrop University men’s basketball team has experienced great success this season, but not without adversity.
The Eagles, who earned a share of the Big South regular season title after beating High Point Feb. 29, experienced several ups and downs on their way to earning the two-seed in the conference tournament.
Winthrop began its season on a four-game road trip, returning to Rock Hill with a 2-2 record. However, the stretch was highlighted by a victory over the No. 18 ranked Saint Mary’s Gaels, which drew national attention.
“It was a signature win for our program and for our athletic department,” said head coach Pat Kelsey. “Obviously, when you beat a ranked team on their home floor, it’s sort of national news in terms of college basketball.”
Kelsey appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast to discuss the season and upcoming conference tournament.