Cynthia Hingle, an alumna from Winthrop University, was a first-generation student who gained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Winthrop in the early 2000s.
“Being a first-generation college student, I was not sure what to expect. I only knew what I had seen on television and in movies — large classes where TAs taught the classes, or you were simply a number to the professor,” Hingle said.
Once Hingle began classes at Winthrop, she found that professors and faculty were much different than what she had watched on television.
“I found professors who knew my name, cared about me and encouraged me to succeed. When I stumbled academically, they were there to steady me,” Hingle said.
Cindy Furr, an assistant professor in the Department of English at the time, was one of the professors on campus that made a positive impact on Hingle during her time as a student at Winthrop.
“Dr. Furr became my WU-mom. She taught me how to be a good teacher and that I can expect more of myself. Dr. Furr not only encouraged me but pushed me to be better. Being in her classes was the greatest blessing of my academic career, and losing her was the greatest loss I have ever experienced,” Hingle said.
While reflecting on her time at Winthrop, Hingle said that one of her favorite memories is from her first week her freshman year when her ACAD class had to meet at Winthrop Lake.
“My ACAD professor told us to meet him on Saturday afternoon at the ropes course at Winthrop Lake. In 2002, everyone did not have a GPS, and the lake was not on the map given to us at orientation. I had no clue where I was going and ended up crying on Dave Lyle,” Hingle said.
However, after 30 minutes of searching, Hingle finally found Winthrop Lake.
“My professor was so sweet as he laughed at my misdirection and was not angry about my being late. It was definitely something we laughed about later, and I never forgot how to get back to the lake,” Hingle said.
Another fond memory from her time at Winthrop includes meeting her husband during their observation hours required by the College of Education.
“The College of Education randomly put us both in the same Spanish classroom at Northwestern High School. After a few Fridays together in the classrooms, he asked me out to dinner. We have been together the 18 and a half years since. Meeting Benjamin Hingle was the greatest random coincidence of my life and has led to 13 years of marriage and two beautiful kids,” Hingle said.
As a student, Hingle worked at Louise Pettus Archives a phonathon.
Although she was a member of a few clubs on campus, Hingle said, “I wish I had worked a little less and enjoyed the clubs and groups more.”
“I was a part of the PACT group (Presbyterians and Catholics Together), which gave me a spiritual home and some lifelong friends. I was also a part of the Sigma Tau Delta Honors English Society and the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society.”
After graduating in May 2006, Hingle began teaching English. She then attended Winthrop University for a master’s degree and earned her degree in 2009. Hingle is now a high school English teacher at Rock Hill High School.
“I truly believe that Winthrop, especially Dr. Furr, thoroughly prepared me for teaching in the ‘real world.’ She refused to send us out there with rose-colored glasses, so I have rarely come across something in which I was not prepared,” Hingle said.
As an alumna, Hingle and her family regularly attend Winthrop sports events and go to homecoming.
“Being season ticket holders, my son knows all of the men’s basketball players and all the chants from the pep band,” Hingle said.
Additionally, Hingle’s daughter attended Macfeat Early Childhood Laboratory School.
“Winthrop was six amazing years of my life, between undergrad and graduate school. It gave me direction in life and my family, both my marriage and friendships. I realized I was more capable than I thought, a lot of which has to do with the encouragement of my professors and friends,” Hingle said.
