Former president Donald Trump holds a rally to encourage the audience to vote in the primaries. Snipers on the roof watched through binoculars as long lines of people snaked inside the doors of the Coliseum and through security. People chatted and chanted among themselves about the state of the world and its affairs, many with differing opinions and life experiences–but they were all there for the same reason–to see former President Donald Trump. In a sea of red hats and signs, he held his second rally in the Winthrop Coliseum on Feb. 23, the day before the Republican primary began. He took the stage around 4:15 p.m., following comments from Marjorie Taylor Green and Tim Scott, among others. He was guarded by secret service men and bulletproof glass. As the…
Formerly known as the Winthrop University Campus Police, or WUPO, Winthrop’s local police service has now transitioned into a department to be called the Winthrop University Police Department, or WUPD. This change in title was announced via email to the student body and staff on October 1, along with an assortment of other adjustments in the department to take effect immediately. Although the department has a new title, little has changed regarding its jurisdiction and involvement with the university, except how it will now be perceived based on name. According to Chief of Police Charles Yearta, “The state of South Carolina already considered us a department,” so no additional qualifications were required to be regarded as a department by the university. Yearta noted that the name change was primarily instituted…
An alleged criminal incident involving a dead, maimed cat found in a bag on the third floor of Margaret Nance Hall has been resolved as an unfounded claim knowingly made by the student complainant who reported it following the investigation by the Winthrop University Police Department. The WUPD daily case log synopsis of the incident states that the officers first met with the student complainant on September 18 at 12:21 a.m., who claimed to have located the deceased, abused animal on September 17 at 8:30 a.m. WUPD Chief of Police Charles Yearta said that the police department immediately launched an investigation into the criminal incident following the report of animal cruelty, and began interviewing individuals, gathering evidence and reviewing security camera footage. As WUPD launched their investigation into the hard…
Voting opened for the Fall 2023 Student Body Presidential race at 12:01 a.m. on Monday. On this year’s ballot, Council of Student Leaders (CSL) candidates are students from a diverse range of backgrounds. #LOVEWU: Leading Others with the Vision of Excellence - Jah-nai Smith and Jermarius Evans “I process criticism in a four-step procedure which is listening, reflection, ownership, and action. When it pertains to criticism it is important to first actively listen to understand the person’s perspective,” Chair candidate, Jah-nai Smith wrote in his leadership portfolio. Smith, an international student representative and Jermarius Evans, an education major and teaching fellow, have made their bid for election with the campaign slogan, “LOVE WU.” Through the campaign message that stands for “Leading Others with the Vision of Excellence.” Smith said in his…
Kimberly Faust was hired by former president Anthony DiGorgio to be his chief of staff in 2004, and has now ended her employment at Winthrop. During her career she has also served as secretary to the board of trustees. Her background is in sociology, specifically urban sociology, demography and research methods. The notice comes exactly three years to the day that former president Dan Mahony resigned on March 3, 2020. President Serna signed the email announcing her departure, which was sent to faculty and alumni on March 1, 2023. Serna wrote, “Kimberly has been a valuable resource to Winthrop, and her dedication and institutional memory will be greatly missed by her colleagues.” The subject line of the email reads, “Resignation of Dr. Kimberly Faust”, and the body of the message…
Head coach Kara Conchek has been adamant about the type of culture she’s aiming to build with Eagles lacrosse. “We have continued to promote player-led leadership initiatives which shape and enhance our team culture. This promotes buy-in and accountability within this process. It is important as a coach to ask for feedback and allow for each team member to bring their unique skill set to the table.” Conchek explained. “It is important to highlight the strengths of each individual to continue to identify what we want our team to embody. Empowering the voices of each team member is something I really value and have continued to implement in our daily practices.” Coach’s team appreciates this approach, and it invigorates them to be the best they can be. “One strength our…
Jan Wise, an alumni who attended Winthrop from 1973 to 1977, spent her time being active in various areas of campus and making memories with her friends, partially while Winthrop was still an all-women’s institution and called Winthrop College. “My freshman year, 1973 to 1974, was the last year before Winthrop College officially became co-ed, so I experienced the all women tradition for a year,” Wise said. “There previously had been male students allowed to attend as day students, so the following year when WC established a dormitory to house men on campus, there was a smooth transition from being a historic women’s college of higher education to becoming a co-ed SC State institution. Men were welcomed for the most part, but the times and unique experience began a radical…
Students and faculty work together to tell unique and powerful stories portrayed through dance at the Fall Dance Showcase After months of preparation, the Fall Dance Showcase debuted on Thursday, Nov. 17, through Sunday, Nov. 30 in Winthrop’s Johnson Theatre. Nine pieces were performed during the event. The pieces included: Prelude to a Pause, Y2K, Misery Song, Pen(Insula), Tango Para Ti, Sandbox, Spotlight, Eden, and The Possibilities of Thread: Past and Present. Five of these pieces were choreographed by Winthrop students as a senior project. The pieces varied entirely and focused on a diverse range of topics. While Y2K showed how dance has evolved from the early 2000s while the Misery Song showed how hard it can be for victims of domestic abuse to leave their circumstances. According to the…
On Tuesday, Sept 27, Winthrop University released its annual Security and Fire Safety Report for 2022, as required by law under the Clery Act. The Winthrop University Police Department publishes the statistics annually as part of its Safety, Security, and Fire Report and in compliance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, aimed at ensuring transparency about colleges/universities crime statistics and policies. The annual report contains information about campus security and personal safety. This includes crime prevention, public safety authority, crime reporting policies, fire safety, disciplinary procedures, and other safety-related matters. The crime statistics reflect incidents reported to the Clery Compliance Office by university staff as well as incidents reported to the police during 2021. The statistics also may indicate acts that…
Despite a “minimal marketing” effort, 225 people attended the Winthrop Coliseum’s first esports event on Sept. 17. In what was meant to be a test event “to learn if the Coliseum could handle the capacity (bandwidth and power – which I’m still anxious about),” Sheila Burkhalter said. But, the event has now become the largest Ultimate Event in South Carolina history. According to Winthrop Esports on Twitter, Winthrop student, Matthew Scott a.k.a. NoTag placed first in the competition, taking home “the inaugural Rock The Hill title after an incredible three sets” against Christian Londono a.k.a. Peabnut. Players from all over were in attendance; including students from Clemson University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, and Lander University. Business administration major Chadric Wiley said, “So…
