August 30th

Four Winthrop men have been playing music for years. In November 2011, they got together and formed “The Edge.”

The original “Edge” members were Ray Single-ton as lead vocalist, Justin Allen as percussion-ist, Elliot Jeter as piano/bass player and Julian Thomson on the piano. Since then, the band has changed some. They have added Curtis Hayes as a pianist and two background singers, Christopher Spence and Kourtney Pendergrass.

The original group met when there was an event going on at “The Edge” in the DiGiorgio Center. The people hosting were looking for musicians and these four men came together to make the night a success.

In light of falling numbers at the polls for the past student body election, the Council of Stu-dent Leaders has enacted an elec-tion task force designed to tap into students’ wishes in order to re-energize support into the po-litical system.

Junior Christine Counts-Davis will head as chairperson of the force, which was offi cially an-nounced at the academic year’s fi rst CSL meeting in the DiGiorgio Campus Center Monday night. Counts-Davis fi lled last year’s

election commissioner spot after then-senior Sidney Evans left the post in early February.

“The CSL leadership will be evaluating what’s worked, what hasn’t and what can be done bet-ter,” said CSL chair Kambrell Garvin.

The committee will consist of both CSL members and other students around Winthrop and will conduct several interviews of various possible voters. The com-mittee will then make a recom-mendation to the full council to determine what should happen to strengthen the voting process at Winthrop.

What do you do when your best friend in college graduates and returns to her home on the other side of the planet?

You go visit, of course. You get a visa, get an itinerary together, save up some money, and you fl y to China.

Last year I wrote how ex-cited about this visit I was. Suzhou in Jiangsu province is known as “The Venice of the East” for its beauti-ful canals and traditional gardens. It ended up being

pretty awesome.A powerful eco-

nomic force.Go to Jiangsu

and you will see that it is the U.S. that is in the past. Have you ever wanted to go on a day trip to New York City or Chi-cago just for fun? Probably not, because you’d have to fl y and plan in advance and that would be ridiculously expensive and inconve-nient, so you don’t even

consider it. In Jiangsu (along with many parts of Eu-rope and also Japan) there are high-speed trains (over 200 mph), much more convenient and

cost effective than taking the U.S. interstate. You can travel from Shanghai to Beijing in four hours, and some city-to-city trips cost $20 or less. Could I be in

Orlando in two hours for my next vacation, please? I really want to see Seaworld and Hogsmeade.

Most Chinese cities also have a subway, since 80 million people live in one “state-sized” area. A little more than 4 million live in SC. Sadly, there are just not the resources, nor enough people here to make it worth it.

Like almost any country, there are the poor and then there are the people on top.

Winthrop University Rock Hill, SCAugust 30, 2012

IndexNews | 3-4Science & Tech | 5Opinion | 6-7Arts & Culture | 8-9Sports | 10-11

Questions or comments? We would love your feedback.Contact us at [email protected]

Exclusive content at mytjnow.comNow on your laptop, smartphone, and tablet

As President Anthony DiGiorgio’s time as Winthrop’s leader comes to a close, he joins � rst lady Gale DiGiorgio in their last Convocation walk. Convocation serves to welcome new Winthrop students and re� ect on the University’s traditions.For more Convocation photos see NEWS pg. 4. Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • [email protected]

DiGiorgio’s last Convocation

WUHA impressesstudents

Winthrop’s Honors Program is constantly changing. After graduating its largest class in recent history last May, the program is now adjusting to the fact that the largest freshmen class has just arrived.

“We’re defi nitely growing as a program and I think it’s all in positive ways,” said Miri Smith, vice president of WUHA! (Win-throp University Honors As-sociation). “Maybe we’ve been particularly enthusiastic or maybe we just have been lucky and have a big freshmen class.”

Editor experiences fast travel

Winthrop men’s tennis coach Andrew Stubbs looks to have all the fi repower he needs to improve upon his inaugural season in 2011-2012. This season, Stubbs looks to take a giant leap forward, improv-ing on last season’s 10-14 record. According to TennisRecruiting.net, the Eagles have notched the tenth best recruiting class in the nation among mid-major programs.

ARTS & CULTURE

NEWS

Men’s tennis adds ranked members

SPORTS

Women’s soccer o� to rocky start

see SPORTS pg. 11

Students help build sustainable houses

see SCIENCE & TECH pg. 5

Campus police improve safety with new wheels

see NEWS pg. 3

Students seek edge of fameARTS & CULTURE

see WUHA pg. 3

see TENNIS pg. 10

Sarah AuvilArts & Culture Editor

By Shamira [email protected]

By Je� [email protected]

CSL adds election task force to docketBy David � [email protected]

NEWS

see CSL pg. 4

Zimbabwe student experiences WU

see ARTS & CULTURE pg. 8

REPUBLICANSLESS OPEN TO INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS

See ARTS & CULTURE pg. 8

By Zoe [email protected]

“The Edge” members perform a vari-ety of music. They hope to increase their presence on campus. Photo courtesy of Ray Singleton.

see EDGE pg. 8

Kunqu opera performer from “The Peony Pa-villion.” Photo courtesy of Sarah Auvil. see CHINA pg. 9

NEW APP HELPS STUDENTS REPORT CRIME

See SCIENCE & TECH pg. 5

PAGE 2

David Thackham | News [email protected]

Shamira McCray | Assistant News [email protected]

The Johnsonian August 16, 2012 2

Thoughts on international recruiting

4see SPORTS pg. 10

Winthrop professor wins highest award in local art show

4see ARTS & CULTURE pg. 9

Freshmen share thoughts on Welcome Week

4see OPINION pg. 6

CONTRIBUTE

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Please feel free to submit your work to us via e-mail. Once we have looked it over, we might offer you some constructive criticism as needed, and ask you to return your work. Then, we will contact you in regards to how we plan to publish it.

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If you catch a mistake we made, or see a typing error, feel free to contact us so that we might run a correction.

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THAT’S WHAT WU SAIDNew to The Johnsonian this year is our fun little piece called “That’s

What WU Said.” We’ve all heard some nutty things said around campus, and this section covers these crazy conversations. So, the next time you hear someone on campus uttering something weird

or funny, be sure and send it to us at [email protected]

- “Well, he dared me to put it on my nipple, and you can’t back down from a dare.”

-Freaky freshman

- “I was wearing some bad cologne this morning so I just decided not to start the day.”

-Smelly Male

- “It was Sarasota, there was a beach, there was a lot of pot.”

-Professor Pot

- Girl: “Where are you from?”Guy: “I’m from Massachusetts.”Girl: “Oh, the Midwest.”

- “So how is Vermont; is there a lot of maple syrup.”

-Curious Lady

- “So, is the Middle East a continent?”-Guy in DIGS

- “The other day I was a social baby butterfly”

-Socially Aware Male

By Jacob SmithSpecial to The Johnsonian

‘Multiple Olympians have gone missing from the Olympic Village in London — including seven members of the Cameroon delegation, three from Sudan and one from Ethiopia. One of the athletes is known to have asked for asylum. But the where-abouts of the rest are a mystery. If they have defected, they will join a long tradition of Olympic athletes who have used the Games as an opportunity to escape from their country of origin.’ Melissa Block of Nation Public Radio said.

Late in the night, a group suspect-ed to be the athletes now missing was seen leaving the Olympic Vil-lage; however they never came back. Though they are officially missing, it is the first thought of many that they are Olympic defectors (A person who gives up allegiance to a state), according to NPR.

Olympic historian David Wal-lechinsky described to NPR the largest and most interesting case in a history of Olympic defections. The Melbourne Olympics of 1956 took place within weeks of the former Soviet Union’s invasion of Hungry. It was while the athletes were in Australia, picking up from English translations, that the Hungarians discovered that the Soviet Union successfully occupied Hungry. Dur-ing the Hungarian water polo match against the USSR, a fight broke out which resulted in the match being canceled. A famous photograph of a Hungarian with blood and water running down his face captured the summer Olympics of 1956. At the end of the games, three dozen ath-letes did not return to Hungry.

But with this kind of Olympic history, did the British government expect these kinds of situations in the 2012 summer Olympics? Wal-

lechinsky said yes, host governments often prepare prior to the Olympic season. The country’s department of immigration is ready for a wave of political refugees that are seeking asylum.

With defection being a common result of international Olympic Games many people, including Block, wonder why it is not more common to see athletes fleeing from places such as North Korea.

“I have actually visited North Korea” Wallechinsky said “and this is the most repressive country I’ve ever been to. What they do is, they threaten the families...I went to Al-bania one week after the fall of com-munism, and I tracked down their greatest athlete ever in the Olym-pics... he told me that when he went to the 1972 Olympics, there was one minder for every athlete. They were never allowed to be alone. And I’m sure that’s the exact, same thing that the North Koreans are doing.”

David Wallechinsky is author of “The Complete Book of the Olym-pics.”

Among the group that has got missing this Olympic season is Cam-eroonian boxer Thomas Essomba. However, this is not the first time he has not returned from the Olympic Games. Four years ago in Beijing he did not return after the closing cer-emonies; he was a defector. He later returned to Cameroon after finding the political conditions of China to be unpromising.

There are some Cameroonian’s that support the actions of defectors like Thomas Essomba. A 22 year old Cameroonian student shared his online chat messages with the publication “allAfrica” in which he said, “Objectively, I think that they stand a better chance of succeeding in Europe than in Cameroon. I think they are looking for better working and living conditions...”

Olympic Defectors

WORLD & NATIONAL NEWS

Lance Armstrong given lifetime ban and stripped of 14 years of victories by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency

About The JohnsonianThe Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University. It is pub-

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WebmasterJEREMY [email protected]

News EditorDAVID THACKHAM

Assistant News EditorSHAMIRA MCCRAY

Arts & Culture EditorSARAH AUVIL

Arts & Culture EditorZOE IRIZARRY

Opinion EditorJACOB WINGARD

Science & Technology EditorFRANCES PARRISH

Sports EditorJEFF BRODEUR

Asst. Sports EditorSHELBY CHIASSON

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LETTER POLICY

Letters and feedback can be sent to [email protected] or by mail at The Johnsonian, 104 Campus Center, Rock Hill, S.C., 29733. Comments submitted online at www.mytjnow.com may be printed as letters and may be shortened for space and edited for clarity.

Please include your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are

a professor; or your name and profession if you are a member of the community.Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinions of the au-thors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian staff.

NEWS

David Thackham | News [email protected]

Shamira McCray | Assistant News [email protected]


By Kaitlyn [email protected]

The beginning of a new school

year can generally mean new school supplies for students. This year, however, the new school year brought new supplies for Winthrop University’s campus police department as well.

Students may have noticed newer police cars patrolling Win-throp’s campus. The new fleet was brought in to replace the older cars, which had started cost-ing the university a substantial amount of money in repairs.

“The cars were leased on a state incentive program that gave us the best price for the car,” Win-throp police chief, Frank Zebedis wrote in an email.

“A portion of the student safety fees did assist in the leasing of the

vehicles and purchasing of the equipment that is installed in the vehicles,” Zebedis said. Zebedis was unsure of the exact portion of the student safety fees used.

Student safety fees are an extra fee not included in tuition. It is a $25 fee every semester for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Aside from the sleeker, more modern look of the new cars, the fleet does feature new radar units and an upgraded video camera system. This upgrade replaced the old VHS system from the previous cars and incorporated a digital system.

Five of the cars are marked, while one is an unmarked vehicle. Two of the marked cars will not arrive until late September or early October, said Zebedis.

“With this system, the video

downloads from the vehicle onto a computer housed at Campus Police every time the vehicle en-ters the police parking lot,” said Zebedis. “After the video is down-loaded onto the computer, the officers can burn DVD’s to submit to the court for evidence.”

With VHS tapes becoming a hassle to find, Zebedis said that the purchasing of a new fleet was an opportunity to upgrade their system.

The last police car purchased for Winthrop’s campus police was in 2008.

“Our old fleet ranged from 2001 models to 2008 models with excess of 100,000 miles,” Zebedis said.

Six Impalas update campus police fleet

By David [email protected]

Students hoping to join one of three of the largest fraternities at Winthrop will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with current members as early as this Saturday.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC), which is composed of Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Phi, will be having their official rush week events of the fall semester beginning on Saturday, Sept. 1 and ending on Friday, Sept. 7, prefaced by a “Fraternity 101” meeting in Owens G02 on Monday, Aug. 27.

The recruitment format has traditionally been where each fraternity picks its own week for events to attract new members. For this year, all three frater-nities happened to pick the same week.

Pi Kappa Alpha and Pi Kappa Phi have five events each planned from Aug. 3-7, while Kappa Sigma has six events planned beginning with Sept 1-7.

“It just all happened to fall together,” said Michele Peterson, program direc-tor for fraternity and sorority affairs. “Everyone can go out to the different events and I would encourage them to go to them all, to see how they fit.”

After the events end, fraternities will typically disseminate bids for students on the corresponding Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Eligible pledges must have at least 12 credit hours and a 2.35 GPA. This semester’s events are typically geared toward sophomore, juniors and upperclassmen, although freshmen are invited to join.

IFC president Zach Henderson says the unified week will help interested students pick the fraternity that is right for them.

“It’s kind of been different in the past where people went to a specific week for a fraternity and got a bid and then stop looking. This way, people can go from event to event throughout the week and have a better understanding of what’s most comfortable for them.”

By press time, three of the five sororities who fall under the College Panhel-lenic Council have begun their informal fall recruitment events. Meanwhile, the five historically African American fraternities and sororities have private rush events, which are not disclosed like those of IFC and CPC.

Fraternities gear up for unified rush week

Six new campus police cars will roam the streets of Winthrop and beyond by the end of this fall. Campus police hope to improve safety with updated vehicles. Photo by Kaitlyn Schallhorn • [email protected]

Honors association attracts record incoming class

Currently, there are ap-proximately 80 freshmen in the honors program, which accounts for approximately seven percent of the entire freshman class, as-suming the class of 2016 is close to estimates of up to 1100 new Eagles. Those students who did not apply for the program as an incoming freshman still have the opportunity to join after they have obtained a Winthrop GPA of at least 3.30.

“If you’re not applying as an incoming freshmen, you have to wait until you have a Winthrop GPA, but it’s a lot simpler to come in as a freshmen,” said Smith. “We’ve been getting ap-plications right up until the start of classes.”

Along with the increase of the freshmen class comes the need for more experienced members to mentor the new entrants. WUHA! has a “Bigs” and “Lit-tles” mentoring program to help new members get acquainted and adjusted with the program and whatever other needs they may have. Upperclassmen members are considered “Bigs” and are assigned younger stu-dents based on major or similar interests.

“Most freshmen are inter-ested in doing the program,” said Smith. “Ther are not a lot of people volunteering to be “Bigs” because they’re busy in other things.

Amber Schilling, president of WUHA! Said it is going to be a big challenge trying to accom-modate everyone who wants to be apart of the program. However, she continues to have faith in all of this year’s officers and feels that they will “ be great with getting the freshmen involved.”

“I’m really hoping that this year’s group is motivated and really wants to be apart of it,” said Schilling.

Members of the honors program are offered several opportunities. Priority registra-tion and the option to move-in

early and live in honor’s hous-ing at The Courtyard are two of the most anticipated incentives. Members are also given the opportunity to participate in ser-vice learning through WUHA!.

Schilling said WUHA! is always looking to have more people join.

“I honestly think this is what kept me at Winthrop,” she said. “It’s my favorite thing.”

I’m really hoping that this year’s group is motivated and really wants to be a part of [WUHA!]. Amber SchillingWUHA! president

“”WANT TO JOIN

WUHA?

Requirements:• Cumulative GPA: 3.3Info: E-mail Honors Program director Dr. Kathy Lyon at [email protected].

BEER TROUBLES AND OTHER RUN-INS WITH WINTHROP POLICE

4See POLICE BLOTTER pg.4

WUHA • from front


Aug. 18,LARCENY OF BICYCLE

One Wofford resident has had a very unfortunate welcome to

Winthrop. An 18-year-old Winthrop student came to campus police last Saturday (Aug. 18) to report the theft of a champagne gold 2011 Trek 4 Series 27-speed mountain bike worth $850, according to a Winthrop police report. The case has been for-warded to an officer for further investigation.

According to the report, the victim parked her car in one of the spaces between Wofford Hall and the fence adjacent to Cher-ry Rd to begin moving her property into the residence hall at around 9 a.m.

The report says that around 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., an un-identified subject removed the bike from its vehicle- mounted bicycle rack and took it from the scene. The report says the vic-tim did not secure the bicycle to the rack with a lock.

Aug. 20, PETTY LARCENY ($2,000 OR LESS), LARCENY OF WAL-

MART VISA DEBIT CARD A 20-year old Winthrop student is missing approximately $115

in personal property after she discovered last Monday morning (Aug 20) that her flip flops, her Wal-Mart Visa debit card and $20 in cash were missing from her Phelps Hall room, according to a campus police report.

The student contacted Winthrop campus police later that day to speak with an officer at the Good Building. When the stu-

dent noticed her black flip flops were missing, she contacted her roommate, but the roommate said she did not see them, the re-port says.

The victim also said she looked in the top drawer of her dress-er, where she kept valuable items, to find that her debit card and the cash were also missing.

The report says that although the victim does not believe her roommate took the items, she was concerned that one of her roommate’s guests may have.

The victim stated that her room door is usually locked, but her bathroom door is not.

Aug. 23, SALE OF BEER TO A PERSON UNDER 21

One Food Lion emplyee is charged wtih sale of beer to an un-derage customer after an undercover operation last Thursday involving Winthrop campus police officers, as well as officers from teh York County multijurisdictional Alcohol Enforcement Team, according to a Winthrop police report.

An officer sent a 17-year old confidential informant into the East Main St. Food Lion around 10 p.m. last Thursday, where the informant attempted to puchase two botttles of Smirnoff Ice. The cashier did not request the informant’s identification before selling him the alcohol. An officer then made contact wtih the cashier before citing and releasing him with the charge of sale of beer to a person under 21.

Aug. 30, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, POSSESSION OF LI-

QUOR UNDER 21

A day after freshmen were officially moved into Winthrop University, one Richardson resident has already gotten himself into trouble with the law.

According to a Winthrop campus police report, an 18-year old freshman was charged with possession of marijuana and pos-session of liquor under 21 and taken to Rock Hill City Jail late Saturday night.

At around 10:28 p.m., a Winthrop campus police officer was working an overtime assignment at the intersection of Win-throp Park Ave. and Winthrop Memorial Circle when observed a tan 1998 Toyota Avalon driving in a reckless manner down the wrong way of traffic at a high rate of speed, failing to yield to on-coming traffic and pedestrians, the report says. The reporting of-ficer stopped the driver on Oakland Ave. and when he contacted the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle. The reporting officer then searched the car, while the subject advised the officer that there was a small amount of marijuana in the center console. The officer then retrieved 0.6 grams of marijuana and also found a mason jar under the pas-senger seat containing a small amount of liquor. The reporting officer then placed the subject under arrest. The subject was then transported to Rock Hill Jail. The subject has been given a court date of Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m.

Compiled by David Thackham

Police Blotter: Beer, bikes...busted

CSL creates election task force to survey students

“It’s going to be an inclusive project,” said Garvin. “We have confidence it can bring some good results.”

Meanwhile, Garvin also noted that new member elec-tions for spots on CSL would take place on Monday, Sept. 16. There are nine open spots for new members on CSL and applications reserved for freshmen and transfere stu-dents are on the organization’s website. The applications are

due on Friday, Aug. 7 at 5 p.m.Dean of Students Bethany

Marlowe advised students to get involved in one of many CSL leadership committees.

“This is really important,” Marlowe said. “This is how the student voice can be heard in university business.”

Phelps oak to be cut downBy Frances [email protected]

A tree branch which broke three windows and scratched the roof of Phelps Hall after it fell last week on the residence hall will be cut down, says a company of-ficial with knowledge of the situa-tion. As early as this Monday, tree expert management company Asplundh has begun cutting down the tree the entire tree. Josh Em-ory, an Asplundh employee, said they would be here for about two weeks, cutting down the tree, and grinding up the stump. The tree was one of the oldest on campus, approximately 120-130 years old.

Emory said carpenter ants are the cause of the demise of the tree.

“The carpenter ants have just rotted the tree,” Emory said. “I’ve cut down rotten limbs through the years, but now we have no op-tion. We have to cut it down.”

A large oak outside of Byrnes Auditorium had to be removed this March due to issues with its base. Walter Hardin, associ-ate vice president for facilities management, said the tree had become rotten after being struck by lightning about ten years ago. Although that tree had been planted around 1939, estimates say the oak near Phelps Hall was

120-130 years old. Officials say no students were

in any of the affected dorm rooms at the time and noted that the rooms would be reassigned soon.

Workers attempt to cut down the massive limb to take it away from Phelps. Photo by Claire Van Ostenbridge • [email protected]

It’s going to be an inclusive proj-ect. We have confidence it can bring some good results. Kambrell GarvinCSL Chair

“”

CSL • from front

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CSL?

Where: DIGS 114 When: Monday nightsTime: 7 p.m.Past meetings/ minutes: On the CSL website at www.winthrop.edu/csl

Photos from Convocation 2012

Photo by Claire Van Ostenbridge • [email protected]

Winthrop University is back and ready to serve its students. The Class of 2016, which is widely expected to be one of the largest freshman entering classes in school history, was officially welcomed to the school on Tuesday, Aug. 21 during Convoca-tion exercises in Byrnes Auditorium.

Kerion Ball, a ‘97 grad-uate, was on hand as a speaker, who implored the more than 1,000 at-tending to strive through adversity and come out stronger for the struggle.

“I arrived as a timid 18-year old, just as you did,”

Ball said. “I won’t lie, the first few months were challenging. I encourage you to relax… but not shy away from things that might seem difficult.”

Other im-portant Win-throp figures offered their own advice to the new stu-dents.

“ M o n e y may be tight, the workload will be hard, but those ex-periences are

crucial,” said Winthrop board of trustees chair Dalton Floyd. “But these years will be the best of

your life. You have the freedom to follow your curiosity.”

Photos from Convocation 2012. Photos by Claire Van Ostenbridge • [email protected]

SCIENCE & TECH

Frances Parrish | Science & Technology [email protected]


By Frances [email protected]

Destinee Johnson, junior biology major and McNair scholar, remembers participat-ing in her school’s science fairs when she was little, and years later, she is helping faculty member Dr. Nicholas Grossoehme with research in the chemistry lab. Now with the encouragement from her advisor and profes-sors, Johnson is attending the DOW-MIT Access Program in October. Johnson happens to be the only student attending the program from Winthrop.

When Johnson entered college, she de-cided to pursue a degree in biology. Johnson said that when she took Chemistry 105 she did very well. Throughout the semester, she developed a relationship with her profes-sors, and they encouraged her to pursue a chemistry degree. Now she has settled on the biochemistry degree. Johnson has helped Grossoehme with his copper research project in the lab for one full academic year and two summers. She said she will continue to help with the research this fall.

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) web page, the DOW-MIT Access program was established in 2009 and inspired by the Dow Chemical Company’s Best Program. The web page states that the Access program gives undergraduates the opportunity to explore graduate education in chemical engineering, chemistry and material science.

“This program lets me know that I am on the right track,” Johnson said. She has not decided on what school she is planning on attending for her Ph.D., but she has the eligibility to go straight to working on it after completing her bachelors at Winthrop. Her career plan after graduate school is unclear right now, but she is considering intellectual property law “because there is a need for at-torneys with a chemistry background.”

Johnson explained that the process to apply for the DOW-MIT program was a lengthy one. Johnson needed professor recommendations, an essay, a personal statement and a resume. Dr. Owens, Head of the Chemistry Depart-ment, Mrs. Rachel Law, the Director of Eagle STEM and Dr. Grossoehme encouraged her

to apply to the weekend program that consists of seminars, including one exploring career paths involving chemistry and the opportu-nity to talk to current graduate students.

Johnson said she found out about the program at the end of the school year last year, and the applications were not due till mid June. Johnson said she would know if she was accepted into the program in early August.

“I really wanted to get in, but I wasn’t sure if I was a competitive applicant because it’s MIT,” Johnson said. August came and with it Johnson’s acceptance e-mail to the program. Johnson said her acceptance into this pro-gram has increased confi dence in herself.

Johnson offers advice to other students wanting to get involved with this program or just to further their education.

“Get involved in the department, help outside of the classroom, and pay attention in class,” Johnson said.

Destinee Johnson worked in a lab helping her advi-sor with his copper research project. Photo by Synera Shelton • [email protected]

Student participates in upcoming DOW-MIT Access Program

Builders design a brighter futureBy Jacob HallexSpecial to � e Johnsonian

Winthrop’s Interior Design Organization (IDO) and Sustain-ability Task Force are teaming up to bring students a chance to work with Builders of Hope. According to the Builders of Hope website, the company com-mits itself to providing safe and affordable housing by recycling materials found in older homes. The company strives to put roofs over the heads of impoverished Americans who have diffi culty receiving loans. When reusing resources from older dilapidated homes, the initial investment cost is lowered, thus allowing the fi nal cost of the home to be cheaper, according to the organization’s website. Build-ers of Hope hire local contractors to bring jobs to communities. They also help individuals with employ-ment barriers through a Work Mentor program that provides valuable on-site job training and life skills to maintain employment. Builders of Hope not only builds the houses, they own the homes as well, which allows the homes to stay at an affordable rental rate. Jennifer Belk, the faculty advisor to the IDO, said that students can get involved with helping Builders of Hope by working alongside the fi rm in a project that will renovate and relocate thousands of portable school trailers in Dallas, Texas. They will be used to create a com-

munity for the elderly that will allow them to live independently. Students in the IDO will be fol-lowing the progress of Builders of Hope’s project in Dallas and be working on their own “mock” ver-sion of the project, in which stu-dents learn about all of the stages of contracting, design, demolition, building codes and construction required to complete a project of this scale. Belk, also an instructor for one of the “mock” classes said that she is really looking forward to “the personal interaction of the people at Builders of Hope and their construction managers.” She said students will be able to “go to a portable classroom here in the local area so they can touch and feel (the houses) and give more of a reality to it.” “The hope is that, thanks to the collaboration between the Sus-tainability Initiative and the IDO, students will be inspired to work on more projects like this,” said Lauren Williams, junior interior design major and the IDO Pro-grams Chair. Students may volunteer their time to helping organizations build or even devise projects for their own hometowns. Williams said students will have “the op-portunity to see sustainability in action and what this organiza-tion does on the economic side as well.”

History of the WeekAugust 31, 1897: Thomas Edison patented his invention known as the Kinetograph. It was the fi rst movie camera. After his invention, movie technology began to advance with several contributors, and because of the Kinetograph, we are able to watch our movies at Dina’s Place in the DiGiorgio Center. Compiled from information on History.com


WU Watch is the newest app for smartphones provided by the Winthrop Police Department and the company CrimePush.

“WU Watch is another tier of the alert notifi cation system,” Frank Zebedis, Chief of Winthrop Police said. This is a free app for Android smartphones and iPhones and also acts like WU Alert for students and the community.

The fi rst component of the app allows students or anyone with the app to snap a picture of a crime in progress. The picture is then sent to Winthrop Police. The GPS coordinates are taken, and someone from the police force is dispatched to the scene of the crime. There are nine categories of crime the reporter can choose from. Once one of the categories is selected, the reporter can opt to fi lling out information about him/her. However, the reporter can remain anonymous.

The second component is called Check-In. This allows the applicant holder to store three contacts. Zebedis gave the example of a student driving home from Mrytle Beach in bad weather. The student would be able to send a notifi -cation to these three people at the same time letting them know he/she is safe.

The third component is called the Safety Box. When this part is activated, a fl ashlight emits from the phone, and resources such as phone numbers to the Winthrop Police Department, Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill police, and other important emergency numbers will be made available.

The app is free for students. Zebedis explained that there is a minimal cost for the police department to have the app, but “it is well worth it.” He got the idea to have this kind of app for students from an International Assication of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (ICLEA) conference he attended.

“I thought this would be something cool that students would like,” Zebedis said.

However, this app is not just for students. “I want to take it beyond school,” Zebedis said. The app is available for

anyone to download. Zebedis explained that he wants the community to be involved and connected to Winthrop. Students’ parents can even download the app to keep up with Winthrop’s alerts.

The app is undergoing mock-up now, and should be available to the public in the next two weeks.

� ere’s an app for that? WU Watch helps � ght crime with smart-phones


McAfee antivirus software has devel-oped some malfunctions in a recent soft-ware update that are causing problems for computer owners. Patrice Bruneau, Director of Technology Services, said “some Winthrop students have been negatively impacted by this anti-virus software.”

McAfee has published a document that takes users through a step-by-step process on how to work with the prob-lems. According to the document, the

malfunction has affected the McAfee VirusScan in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. McAfee has identifi ed some problems with the anti-virus including loss of connection to the internet and error messages popping up.

“There have been seven students that have contacted the help desk and have been able to regain network access,” Bruneau said. If any problems occur. The Department of Technology can help solve the problem or follow the instruc-tions published by McAfee. For more information, go to http://service.mcafee.com.

McAfee malfunction meddles with students’ computers

Tech Tip of the WeekKeep your anti-virus updated. A year can sneak past you, and before you know it, it’s time to renew. Also, keep an eye on the message balloon for your anti-virus, and scan your computer regularly to make sure it is working properly.

WANT TO GO?What: Builders of Hope

Where: Dina’s Place

When: Thursday, Aug. 30

Time: 11 a.m.

The Interior Design Orga-

nization will be holding a

cultural event on Thursday.

Mona Lita Carr, the Director

of Development and Legis-

lative A� airs, will be speak-

ing about Builders of Hope

and ways to create green

housing. All students are

invited to come out and

learn about environmen-

tally friendly and socially

responsible building meth-

ods. This collaboration is

the � rst of many upcoming

projects this year that will

show Winthrop’s commit-

ment to going green and

promoting sustainability.

Have computer problems? Visit The Department of Technology Services Help Desk 002 Tillman or call 803-323-2400

OPINION

Jacob Wingard | Opinion [email protected]


This is my first time voting for a president.

In fact, aside from the faculty on Winthrop’s campus and a select few seniors, it’s a safe assumption that this is most students’ first time voting. Four years ago, there was a massive buzz surround-ing the election, even at the high school level. People were clamoring about Obama, his historical nomination and bid for the presidency. Ultimate-ly, it was safe to assume that if we had been allowed, the turnout for the polls would have seen a near one-hundred percent from the student body. Here we are four years later, but that same fervor is nowhere to be seen.

This article isn’t about how horrible the two presidential nominees are. No it’s about us. We’re voters, so now is the time to act like it. Voting is a privilege that we as a society take for granted. Over the course of the last two or three years, I’ve heard the same drivel about votes meaning nothing in the long run, that in the end, it is nothing but power and prestige that con-trols our country.

It is time to stop being bit-ter about the circumstances that currently surround our country or, better yet, the world. For those of you who have neglected the other re-gions of the world and focused more on the homeland, the entire world market is failing. Countries that aren’t in debt

are few and far between, so we’re not alone in this.

So why is it that even

though we’re some

of the only people gifted with the right to make a change, we do nothing? Our Declara-tion of Independence clearly defines that our politicians must obey us.

“Governments are institut-ed among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This state-ment verifies that everything that happens in this country is the responsibility of voters.

Our entire political sys-tem may be corrupt, many peoples’ conception of the modern day candidate or the leaders of the ‘free world’ may be the typical fat cat stereo-type, but here is the beauty of what our founders created for us. Without us, the vot-ers, they are nothing. Power is such a contrived ideal that when I hear others talk about the strength that the Presi-dential, Judicial seat or even Legislative grants, I laugh inside.

Now I have a question for everyone reading. Just take a few moments from your busy schedule and really think about this: How do you plan to create an effect on the

world around you? If the thought that follows doesn’t include voting in some form or facet, then you are either planning to be an incredible scientist or some form of artist that will spark a new wave in the field. Both of these I find highly unlikely, but having aspirations is never a bad thing.

Everyone has a concep-tion about politics around this point, generally gleaned from our parents’ perspec-tives. I implore you, do not just blindly follow your parents’ example. Do the research on the candidates, form your own political opinions and vote. What-ever you do, get out there and vote, to make your voice be heard in a way that matters.

This is our chance, our time to go out and literally shape the climate that has a hold on our lives. One voice often doesn’t carry much weight, but together we can be a force for lasting change. So cast aside any doubts about the elections and realize that without voting, you have no stake in the political realm. Here we are, we’ve hit the age where we can have a say of politics and join the army. This is our moment to celebrate, not the moment we’re legally allowed to kill our brain cells with beer.

For whom the polls toll“Are those new

cars? They didn’t have those last year,” said the un-

pleasant student in front of me.“I wonder how much of our tuition cam-

pus police used to buy those!” said another angry student while I stood in line at the campus police building waiting for a park-ing permit.

It was the same day I overheard a profes-sor say that campus police had just come back from a state convention having won two brand-new vehicles, which was con-firmed the next day.

When I first saw the new DiGiorgio and West centers, I wondered where all the money for these new facilities came from. My fear was that they were the results of millions in grants and federal spending.

In fact, it seems that many schools and instituitions today are not only dependent, but proud of their federal gifts, the result of their idealistic ambitions.

My own hopes and ideals were soon raving. I noticed all the restaurants in the DiGiorgio Center, even a Starbucks, and my brain automatically thought of all the revenue to be made by leasing out the space. At orientation I was told it cost $200 to dedicate a brick on Scholars’ Walk; I concluded that surely the logistic cost could not be that high and therefore the rest is profit.

Finally capitalism, the unknown ideal! Though comparatively it is far less

than some schools, the price of tuition at Winthrop University is not low. Nor do I believe it should be. I am sure a good por-tion of student tuition is going into the new student center. I’m okay with this.

What am I talking about though? I’m an English major and not even a good one! Despite my political idealism, I was forced

to realize that some federal money had to go into Winthrop’s campus. Therefore I am also forced to realize that my only point is my discontent that, no one wants to respect capitalism any more.

Have you ever seen someone approach a businessman on the street and say “Gee, America has been a pretty nice place to live in these last few hundred years or so, thanks.” Probably not, especially not today when business is thought to be a dirty, ugly thing.

Though it has only been two short decades since the end of the Cold War, Silicon Val-ley, and the economic boom of the 90’s, my generation still prefers to be the people of the recession.

The people of this generation do not want capitalism. It is unattractive. The business-man of today has a new image: old white land-owning rich men that really do nothing at all. These people also eloquently believe that it is the government’s responsibility to save us all from their greed.

Although it is undeniable that some have exploited the use of globalization, as Kelsey Timmerman shows in his novel “Where Am I Wearing?” in the name of corporate greed. The corruption of some should not be the judge of the system itself. Though no economic system can be perfect, the current majority does not recognize the need or the benefit of capitalism. This system has built and powered our nation for centuries. For now it is only frowned upon and blamed for hard times, for now capitalism is dead.

Student reflects on Capitalism

Jacob WingardOpinion Editor

I’m not the most religious person. Yes, morals are important. But organized religion is something that I can do without. I was raised as a Southern Baptist, to enjoy Jesus and other stereotypical southern ethics. Es-sentially, as soon as I made my way out of the womb, I was told that premarital sex was wrong, that I was to steer clear from alcohol, and if I were caught swearing, it would be the end of me.

Basically any activity that was considered good fun, I was not to participate in. Even-tually as a child, I was so “afraid of answer-ing for my sins,” that I was too afraid to do

anything. It was after I came to Winthrop that I realized that I wasn’t going to let re-ligion play any large role in my life anymore. I’ll stick to my morals. You don’t have to worry, I’m not going to maim any of you.

I do seriously respect oth-ers who believe in religion. If you believe in a higher pow-

er, I can seriously say without any trace of sarcasm that I am happy for you. What really rustles my jimmies is when others attempt to

force their beliefs on others. If you don’t be-lieve in pre-martial sex, fine, but don’t make others feel like lustful heathens because of their choices. Don’t believe in drinking? Don’t put yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by alcohol, and the hilarious antics of those drinking. (Because YOU have never laughed at a drunk person…)

Did you think that last week’s episode of True Blood was a little raunchy? Don’t watch it. It’s just that simple. I think one of the largest issues in the religion debate is that so many people don’t respect the views and be-liefs of both the religious and non-religious.

I truly believe that if we were all respect-ful in that way, this place would have at least one major issue resolved. At least that option has fewer bombed Planned Parenthoods, or less favorable politicians making claims of “legitimate rape.”

Because THAT makes sense. So think about it. Before you rush to judge

someone because of their religion, or judge because of their LACK of religion, think. For once, let’s all think before we open our mouths.

Shelby ChiassonAssistant Sports

Editor

Editor expresses distastes at religious intolerance

Spencer DonnelyFreshman

Anna BattafaranoFreshman Biology

Major

Natalie HartsfieldFreshman Visual Communication

Design Major

Tyler ShermanEngineering Physics

Major

Kaylyn ScaturroFreshman Biology

Major

Welcome Week was excellent. It stressed the world focus of Winthrop and made me feel like a part of campus.

“” It was pretty good and better than just being cooped up.

“”

It was good, the events were en-tertaining and as a commuter I got a chance to so-cialize.

“”

It was a little overwhelming on Monday, but as a whole it was good. Recycled Percussion was amazing.

“”

Lots of different activities and opportunities for people with varied tastes made for a great week.

“”

Welcome Week Buzz

Jacob SmithFreshman english major

The people of this generation do not want capitalism. Jacob Smith

“”


Last night, I came across one of the most amazing things that I’ve seen in a while. Normally, I’m not much for science and technology articles; however, this one immedi-ately caught my attention.

Across my screen, in big bold let-ters, read: “Scientists hack brain to retrieve private information.” My MSN feed had this tiny article in their science section, which brought a small smirk. At fi rst, there was the disbelief; maybe it was just a joke.

Upon reading the article, I kept up this thought, until I saw it was being broadcast through every major net-work and across the planet. So there I was sitting my dorm looking at my screen in disbelief. Science has fi nally done it. They’ve found a way to crack the code of the human brain and use it to take information.

Let me preface something quickly. The scientists located in Oxford, Ge-neva and California cannot log into any random computer across the planet to access your brain; rather, you have to wear a specialized head-set, the Emotiv BCI. These headsets can be purchased commercially for around $299 and wirelessly read

brainwave patterns then relay them back to the monitor.

Yet, they were used in an ex-periment that plucked the social security numbers, pin numbers, bank numbers, passwords and other sensitive information directly from their thoughts. I don’t need to say how utterly ter-rifying something like that is.

Despite the fact that scientists have proven they can do things like this, others are creating benefi cial uses from the discovery. Person-ally, I’ve always found science as a double-edged sword. New discover-ies usually lead to both good and bad results.

Back in the nineteenth century, people treated cocaine like a cure-all and even meth had a period of medi-cal usage. Stopping to say that this discovery is another breach of our security is likely in the wrong as I doubt just anyone would have access to a machine that could decipher our brain waves. As complex as most computers are today, the brain still is the most sophisticated processor.

Rather than being afraid of this new discovery, I say we should

embrace it with open arms and fi nd out what it means for us. After all, Stanford students Hristo Bojinov and Dan Boneh partnered with neuroscientists

and cryptographers from Northwestern

to create an ‘unbreakable’ pass-word system. This system creates a unique sequence of notes, similar to playing a game of Guitar Hero, and then ingrains that section of notes into your brain.

According to Extremetech, a popu-lar science and technology magazine, the system is thousands/millions of times better than the average security system. Not only because it is based on speed and rhythm, but also because the password is stored subconsciously and thus impossible to remember or give away.

In Japan, Keisuke Suzuki and a team of scientists developed a similar a helmet that mimics the ef-fects of the device from Inception. If you haven’t seen the movie, a basic

explanation is that your mind can’t tell reality from fi ction while in a dream-like state.

The Business Standard, an India/London newspaper and The Guard-ian stated Suzuki’s helmet replicates this, where testers have been shown to be unable to tell reality from fi c-tion while wearing it. The professor claims that it would be a safe way to treat patients who suffer from schizophrenia, phobias and post-traumatic stress.

Regardless of what this device is used for, I can’t believe how far technology has come and all the amazing things we’re doing with them. Not ten years ago, I thought it was impressive to see a video game with sixty-four bit graphics. Now it’s laughable.

Technology need not be our en-emy. What is truly frightening to me about these new discoveries is how they can be used for entertain-ment purposes. I’m a gamer. I have no problem admitting that as I enjoy playing a video game from time to time. For a time though, video games dominated my life, it was all I did. I was seriously addicted to

watching a pixilated character do whatever I commanded.

What happens when society applies these new technologies to something like that? While the advances are amazing, we must be careful where they lead us, lest our entire reality become one digital dream while our bodies are left behind in pods straight out of The Matrix.


What has science done?

So why is it that even though we’re some of the only people gifted with the right to make a change, we do nothing?....This statement veri� es that everything that happens in this country is the responsibility of voters.


“”

Graphic by Zach Greenway • [email protected]

Helpless Harry and Clueless Clide

In Memory ofIn Memory ofNeil Armstrong

1930-2012

Neil Armstrong, the � rst man on the moon. What else needs to be said about this hero of our time? Neil was chosen for a select crew and served his country valiantly. His heroism and courage is un-matched even today. So long space cow-boy, I hope to see you on the other side of the moon.

-Opinion editor, Jacob Wingard

Not ten years ago, I thought it was im-pressive to see a video game with six-ty-four bit graphics. Now it’s laughable.

“”

Despite popular belief, we at The Johnsonian do not like to see our fellow students in the po-lice blotter.

When we see incidents like the one that oc-curred on Aug. 18, in which a freshman was ar-rested for possession of marijuana and posses-sion of liquor under the age of 21, we lose a little faith in our fellow students. We know you can do better Winthrop.

As you start your college career, keep in mind that your actions have consequences - I know your mom has already harped on this enough, but it’s true. You are all adults, and must be-have as such (at least most of the time).

No matter how clever you think you are, bringing drugs into your room is not a good idea. You will be caught. Do not bring alcohol into your room if you are under 21. If you are of age, do not share your alcohol with anyone that can’t buy it legally.

We don’t want you to put your education and future at risk, just as the student mentioned above is facing now.

Most of your fellow students know how to avoid seeing their names in the police blotter on Thursdays, learn from them and you will lead a successful few years at Winthrop.

OUR SAY

Listen and prosper, Winthrop

Everyone needs advice sometimes. Freshmen, do you need someone to ask about col-lege life? Shower shoes or no shower shoes? (Answer: shower shoes. Always, always shower shoes). Partying or Studying? Upperclassmen, do you need relationship advice? Career advice?

Well, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Winthrop Wendy, and I’ve been giving Winthrop students advice since the � rst uniformed girls formed the blue line all the way to church. (Oh, and you’re welcome for stopping that by the way).

Not just students come to Winthrop Wendy. You know the ghost of Margaret Nance? I tried my best to get her to take her trunk with her to the train station, but no, she just wouldn’t listen. Always listen to me, unless you want to be a cranky spirit that switches televisions on and o� . And also, if you’re into the Avett Brothers, appreciate that Bob Crawford listened to me when I told him he should switch from � ute to the stand-up bass.

Really, there is no question too short, too complex, too stupid or too important for Win-throp Wendy. What is it you kids say today? I’ve ... um … got your back … yo. Anything you need, just shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]. Make sure you include a funny/meaningful pseudonym to keep your identity a secret. Some examples are Loveless Loser, Di-arrhea in DIGGS, Clueless in Crawford; but please use your imagination! It will make this much more entertaining for me … I mean … it will help me to better help you! Of course that’s what I meant to say. Don’t be afraid of me discovering your identity by your e-mail address even if it’s your Winthrop one. I don’t have the time or the energy, nor do I care enough, to � g-ure out who you are simply by your last name and � rst initial. Seriously, don’t � atter yourself.

Sincerely,Winthrop Wendy

What’s Up Winthrop Wendy

NEE

D A

DVI

CE?

ARTS &CULTURE

Zoe Irizarry | Arts & Culture [email protected]

Sarah Auvil | Arts & Culture [email protected]


DEMOCRAT

INDEPENDANT

NO AFFILIATION

REPUBLICANLESS OPEN MORE OPEN

67%AGREE

15%NEUTRAL

18%DISAGREE

SENIORS

FRESHMEN

HOW OPEN ARE YOU?

Openness by college class level

Openness by political a�liation

Acceptance of interracial relationships

*Results based on a survey of 166 participants.

W inthrop student Brittany Lawrence and professor Donna Nelson conducted a study on interracial relationships entitled “An Explo-

ration of Variables that Predict Attitudes about Interracial Romance.” The rationale of the study was to find what factors influence the acceptance of interracial relationships in our society.

Either I’m crazy or I just really love Asian countries. Making the deci-sion to teach Eng-lish in South Korea was not easy at all.

However, I’m a huge anime fan, I love Asian dra-mas, I love foreign music and I’ve never had the chance to study abroad while attending Winthrop due to finances and my GPA.

My younger sister (who is graduating in the fall - the same time as me) has also decided to teach English in South Korea.

Fortunately for us, a school in the Dae-jon province has offered to not only ac-cept the two of us, but has offered to pay for plane tickets (round-trip), pay for our living expenses, and a monthly salary of $4000 so long as we sign a contract to work for a full year.

They would accept the both of us which would not only ensure a good sup-port system while I overcome some ma-jor culture shock (because my sister has lived in South Korea before), but I would also be able to work with someone who knows the culture at a much better level than I do.

My reasons should never be the an-swer for others. I have some close family members who are rather angry with this decision.

They are afraid for my safety, worried that my mother will become depressed while both her daughters are far away, and concerned with student loans (how both my sister and I are going to be able to pay them off while we are abroad).

Their anger is completely understand-able because teaching English in any for-eign country is not for everyone.

In fact, take a look at some of these

questions and see if you can answer “yes” to a few:• Do you like kids?• Would you mind eating a meal in un-der five minutes?• Would you enjoy endless hours of un-paid planning?• Do you like blank stares and mean-ingless paperwork?• Do you want to spend your own mon-ey on supplies?• Would you mind being treated as a second class citizen?

If you can’t answer “Yes” to the major-ity of these questions, then teaching Eng-lish in a foreign culture is not for you.

But that’s alright, because not all of us have ever wanted to become teachers.

I knew, even as a kid, that I wanted to teach at some point in my life.

What better way to do so then expe-rience an adventure inside and outside a classroom in South Korea?

Senior English major plans to teach in South Korea with sister upon graduation

Weighs sacrifice of leaving behind life and family in America for a ye a r

Jenny BrantonSenior

I’m leaving homeAll aloneTo go afar,So ajarAll alone…

I woke up to a sunny, arid African atmosphere, and sat down to sip a smoky mug of lemon tea. Many thoughts were orbiting my sphere of thought. In a matter of hours I was going to be in an-other hemisphere, sipping the tempting tea of cultural novelty. Or maybe I was going to gulp down gallons of strangely cocktailed coffees- coal-black coffees enriched with intricate flavours, fusions from another galaxy- a taste of a foreign world with foreign people and manner-isms, ideas and principles. I looked out through my living-room window and saw a wild windy world whisking away seas of dust and dirt across our yard. I saw my little sister’s puppy Spider prancing and dancing about with exaggerated enthusi-asm while chasing the wind.

‘Don’t we all chase the wind!’ I thought to myself. Then I sighed and felt the soft air sifting through my nostrils like grains of dust. I was just about to get into the car and abandon my small little town; dirt-filled town that I’d cherished cheer-fully for as long as I could remember. I was about to get away from the African dirt, that soft, rogue-red African Earth I’d learnt to dip my naked feet into. And every time I did I felt it kiss my feet like the thick thirsty lips of an African girl. I was about to leave the simplicity of our extended family complex and head into a world of complete indifference, a world that I’d only seen on TV…

My mom appeared from her bedroom looking frantic and furious that we didn’t seem rushed.

“Kurumidzai, hapana nguva!” Hurry up, there’s very little time! We have to go to the airport, now! Time was ticking tirelessly and two of my cousins were weary; they didn’t seem eager to see me leave because we had a close relation-ship. Eventually I got out into the eager monstrosity of life, jumped to the front seat of our blue car and felt its engine roar and soar as my mom revved the gears.

“Do not forget to eat well! There’s a lot of processed food there!” she warned me as she drove. “You didn’t want me to pack you tons of our natural peanut but-ter, but you’ll soon regret it! And what about madora….” I silently sighed. My mom meant only the best for me. We were on our way from my small home town of Marondera to our capital city of Harare. From there I was to board a plane to Addis Ababa, then eventually to Washington. Minibuses, vans and rusty old Peugeot 504 models drove past us. Then there were the police officers who were constantly mounting roadblocks for

no apparent reason.“Those corrupt bastards!” I cursed

as I saw them stopping a fleet of cars and soliciting for dubious traffic tick-ets. “Can’t they ever stop stealing from us!?” Somehow I felt an intrinsic need to do something about the corruption. For I too had suffered the same grueling fit over and over again when I ran a small transport business. Pot-bellied police officers had stopped me and my white 3-ton truck, and found justifiable, but unfeasible reasons to fine me. And many times I was tempted to take the state to court and challenge the feasibility of the government’s actions. But, common sense made me do otherwise. I knew that this was more than just one police of-ficer’s vendetta, but an entire hierarchy of opportunists in several government departments. So as the police tormented the unfortunate driver, they made him frolic in and out of his white Mazda van and took away his driver’s license, there was very little I could do except watch. Maybe one day I would be more able and more equipped to wrestle the rogue system saturated with corrupt politicians and big-headed police officers

A few minutes later I felt the final warmth of my mother’s hug, stared at my deadlocked sister’s look of indifference and bid farewell to my brother before leaping into a whole new world.

“Ufambe zvakanaka (Travel safely),” said my mom. I felt a sense of emptiness as I approached an immigration officer and handed over my green Zimbabwean passport. I tried not to look at my fam-ily who were ogling anxiously at every move and gesture that I was making as if it was my last; as if I’d just been sen-tenced to hang and these were the final steps they’d ever see me take. I felt an in-sidious unsettling feeling in my stomach. A ferocious affair of stomach acids, anxi-ety and deep-seated despair were waging a war of the Titans inside me.

“Goodbye…” I said silently and sol-emnly. “See you soon….”

As I boarded the brilliantly bright Ethiopian Airways I somehow felt in-different. I dragged my feet down to the Economy class expecting a myriad of many cultures mixing and mingling like matchsticks in a box. I expected a cul-tural bonfire of travellers from all over the world going all over the world, and indeed I did get an explosive feast of dif-ferent people, from different parts of the world all speaking the same language of Travel. And as I sat down on my seat, alone and contemplating the zoo of inor-dinate sights I hoped to see in America I met a well renowned Zimbabwean writer named Petina Gapa.

“Hi, I’m Keith Mushonga! And I’ve heard a lot about you!”

“Aren’t you that guy who e-mailed me asking for info about writing in Zim (short for Zimbabwe)?” And apparently I was that guy who had e-mailed her. So I gave her a bet that I could write her a

poem in five minutes and I did it. (It is not every day you meet a famous writer and manage to keep up on a bet.)

The sweet sensitive brunette waitress-es in lime skirts skipped back and forth across the entire plane doing as best as they could to serve everyone’s needs. Trolleys of strangely-colored foods, fizz-es, stews and baked shenanigans were shuffled constantly. We were on our way to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, where we were going to finally board the connecting flight to Washington. I was laid-back, preferring beef and chicken meals topped with a cup of water. All the while I kept wondering what type of food I was going to have to adjust to. I’d been told that fast-food was the order of the day. I wasn’t a fan of fast-food, but I felt in the back of my mind that sooner or later I was going to have to adjust. All the milkshakes are thick frothy liquids. Eventually we boarded the plane from Addis to Washington. As we did the people seemed to change. I could feel an American atmosphere. I had my ‘Zim-babwe’ cap on, as a way of sprinkling a pinch of uniqueness in my rather strange appearance. I wanted to stick out for a while, even though others would rather blend there and then. I wanted to be seen as a guy coming from a strange foreign land, about to delve into a stranger more different world. And as I devoured the musical menu i.e. listened attentively to a play list of Patxi Garat, I really started to contemplate. The movies had always given me an image of an America intoxi-cated with adrenaline, oozing with so much energy, an America of money, guns and an insidious lifestyle like an epic Tom Cruise film, embroiled in a constant kinetic Mission Impossible. I expected an America full of constant change. I re-member my brother warning me at some point that I was going to get shot for be-ing snobbish. My greatest fears furrowed through my neck and nerves. And with these fears came an insatiable appetite to want to dive into a sea of sharks and be the gracious goldfish that escaped un-harmed.

4To be continued at mytjnow.com

Journey to another continentFreshman from Zimbabwe writes creative writing piece on his journey to Winthrop

Keith MushongaFreshman

In a matter of hours I was going to be in another hemisphere, sipping the tempt-ing tea of cultural novelty.

“”

“We all clicked and have been jam-ming ever since,” Allen said.

The band started out just for fun, but now the members are trying to see how far they can take it. Allen said they’re constantly trying to better themselves and promote their talents.

They play R&B, jazz, gospel and even rock. “We basically do it all, except met-al,” Allen said.

The band performs any event on cam-pus they’re allowed, as well as weddings, church gigs and small parties. Allen said that they aim to bring entertainment and gain connections with their peers.

The Edge is planning on performing at the first Open Mic Night of the semester scheduled for Thursday August 30 at 8 p.m. in the DiGiorgio Student Center.

Each member has a busy schedule, but they make a commitment to practice at least once every two weeks. While they don’t have any original songs, they play music that they love and have a great time doing it.

“We love performing and wish to do it for as long as we all can get together and make it happen,” Singleton said.

The Edge is going to continue to per-form around Winthrop’s campus and spread the word to get their name out there. It all started with their love of music, but only time will tell where this group of talented young people will go.

“We are music, point blank,” Allen said. “If it wasn’t for music, I don’t know what else we would have.”

EDGE • from front

The Edge playing outside of UP and Walk to Campus. The band enjoys playing varied musical styles such as R&B, jazz, gospel, and rock for fellow students. Photo courtesy of Ray Singleton.

The Edge has plans to perform at a benefit concert on October 2 at the Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. and for Relax-

ation Day in Digs on October 9th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

But anyone visiting Jiangsu can tell that most people are doing pretty well there and the economy is moving fast. Since the culture places such a high value on education, most peo-ple have decent jobs or have found a way to make ends meet, even with competition.

It’s interesting to me that our problems aren’t “perma-nent.” Issues that are a huge deal here, I’ve learned, mean nothing in other places and vise versa. For example, we may not be starving, but we’re obese. There is deep religious contention, but people have freedom of speech.

Home StaysA big trend in studying / go-

ing abroad is staying with lo-cals. Not everyone can do this, but it made my trip that much more awesome. I stayed with three Chinese families in Ji-angsu, and none were alike ex-cept that I always wore house slippers. The second one I stayed with spoke Suzhou dia-lect at home. The third family had a great apartment loca-tion, next to a lake with the Nanjing skyline and view of the 500-year-old city wall.

My favorite part of the trip was spending time with my best friend and her mom. That’s probably really weird actually, considering her mom didn’t know any English. (Though she did learn to say “Welcome back!” when people returned to the house).

We also did Karaoke TV. Imagine a neon castle with butlers and glowing bath-rooms in a large strip mall. Her mom also taught me how to say a few things in Suzhou dialect - “hello” is “nay ham” (instead of the Mandarin “ni hao”), “it’s raining” is some-thing along the lines of “lao-zru.” I also made some sweet tea for them while I was there. Surprisingly, they really liked it.

The Rape of NankingTwo of my favorite muse-

ums were the Suzhou Museum and the Nanjing Massacre Museum. Free museums are the best, but I especially love Chinese art museums because I don’t know what half the stuff in there is, (a lot of an-cient ceremonial artifacts, we even saw a decorative male urinal) but it totally puts a different perspective on art. Americans consider the 1500’s old art. The Chinese have art from 10,000 years ago, prob-ably artifacts older than some Americans think the Earth is.

I know massacre museums are not people’s favorite travel destinations, but what hap-pened there was so powerful.

Many don’t know that dur-ing World War II, it is esti-mated 20,000 Chinese wom-en were raped in a six week period and as many as half a million people murdered dur-ing the Japanese occupation (also known as “The Rape of Nanking”). I went with Xin Qi,

a Winthrop student who lives in Nanjing. It was an amaz-ing museum calling for world peace.

During the war, propaganda and false reports were sent back to the Japanese people that the Chinese were being treated well and the Japanese soldiers were even helping lo-cals out. This just shows why integrity in journalism is so important, most Japanese had no clue this was even happen-ing. Maybe if they had known, it could have been stopped. Maybe if the Germans had known what was really hap-pening in the concentration camps early on, the Holocaust wouldn’t have happened.

This is morbid, but one thing there that shocked me the most is that not even rape was enough for some of the war criminals. The women were often killed afterward and sometimes had their geni-tals mutilated with bayonets or bamboo sticks and young children also mutilated so they could be raped. Some soldiers had contests of who could kill the most civilians. One exhibit showed skeletons of women and children under 5 killed with large nails.

It interests me is how this issue is viewed in different countries. For example, people in Nanjing are still extremely sensitive and somewhat bit-ter about this issue even today (for obvious reasons), but in the U.S. it is not widely known, and in Japan it is extremely taboo, some denying it even happened.

Open your mind when filling your plate

China has a very different take on fresh food. “Fresh” means you are in the Walmart line carrying a fish in a bag that is still squirming. It usually means that whatever it is, it is staring at you from your plate. I can see where they’re coming from, while Americans don’t usually want to meet the cow they’re about to eat and give it a firm handshake, it is impor-tant to know what you’re eat-ing and where it came from. That has definitely been lost a little in the world of processed food.

I was offered jellyfish ten-tacles my first night there. I thought those would be soft or injure my mouth some-how, but they were actually...crunchy. More foods that grossed my boyfriend out and he outright refused to ever eat were frog legs, turtle meat, eel, bamboo shoots, and shrimp that had eyes. The only thing I refused to eat was chicken feet, simply because I dissect-ed one in 7th grade and don’t like tendons.

As weird as it sounds, maybe we’re the ones being stuck up about food. Does that choco-late banana bread really need to be double chocolate? Are pork, beef, turkey, and chicken really the only kinds of meat? Chinese people often eat a small bowl of rice and usually

have several types of vegeta-bles and small pieces of meat with each meal. I find dur-ing the semester, I have days where I didn’t eat a vegetable the whole day (potatoes and corn don’t really count, those are starchy and low in nutri-ents).

Go to any ethnic market and you will discover Americans commonly eat maybe ten per-cent of the actual diversity of fruits and vegetables. I loved Suzhou loquats (called “pipa” in Chinese), which are like a plum and apple mixed togeth-er. Travel and you will find many people around the world are eating things you’ve never heard of. What the heck is taro and why is it deliciously mak-ing my drink purple? That’s for you to find out.

Theater beyond show-tunes and Shakespeare

In Jiangsu, I went to see one of the most famous kun-qu operas, “The Peony Pavil-ion.” This is an opera school based out of southern China. The play was in Chinese. My friend’s mom and I were the only ones watching on a rainy weekday afternoon.

But it was a blast. Why? Be-cause theater is about the ex-perience. We were given hot flower tea to enjoy with the show, and front row seats. The costume and make up design, skill, and display of culture were amazing. Theater is an important aspect of art and culture because of its context. Watching a play can put you into a different time and place while you relax and enjoy yourself.

Underground fashionOne of the coolest things

about Nanjing was Xinjiekou (shin-jeh-koh), the fashion district. For me, going to an international shopping utopia like Paris or Tokyo is like...a dream. Little did I know that China could also be a great shopping destination.

Part of what makes it better is the exchange rate. You can certainly get a lot more bang for your buck (or RMB, in this case) in China than you can in Europe or Japan. Nanjing is close to Shanghai, another fashion capital, plus Xinjiekou style is very similar to Tokyo: sparkly accessories,

But what made Xinjiekou awesome was that half of the fashion district was filled with neon signs in rows of under-ground catacombs known as “Fashion Lady.” Above ground, typical expensive for-eign designers like Louis Vuit-ton had large stores in a multi-story mall.

If that weren’t enough, near Suzhou there is a giant mall filled with local (mostly fresh-water) pearl vendors. I rarely say this, but I wish I had spent more money there. Real pearls are hard to come by here and don’t come cheap. Sometimes the most well-known places are not the most interesting.


Computer science major Marcus Nesbitt and art major Kathryn Shaw created a chalk drawing of the 8-bit original starter Pokemon, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Pikachu on Scholar’s Walk Friday. They added the caption: “Art is a neverending movement. Let no one put down your imagination. There’s al-ways time to evolve.” Photo by Claire VanOstenbridge • [email protected].

Above: Sarah and Cheng “Chaney” Qian ‘10 stand together in one of Suzhou’s classical gardens, the Master of the Nets. Top right and middle: Suzhou is known for their seafood and has Chinese plums, called loquats, that grow locally. Lower Middle: A sculpture of a woman mourning her dead child stands tall by the entrance to the Nanjing Massacre Museum. Bottom: Underground Xinjiekou. Photos courtesy of Sarah Auvil.

Welcome Week Highlights

Wild Pokemon at WU

Top: Students learned about the Chinese culure by watching the Chinese Acrobats perform. Bot-tom: Recycled Percussionist use unique items to make music. Photos by Claire VanOsten-bridge • [email protected].

By Zoe [email protected]

Art students and professors from Winthrop got the oppor-tunity to enter in the Rock Hill Arts Council Art Gallery.

Four students and two pro-fessors from Winthrop had artwork that was picked to be entered into the show. Rebec-ca Jacobs’ art was picked to be featured in the show.

“This show was a mixture of local artists, Winthrop stu-dents and Winthrop profes-sors. What’s nice about the Arts Council shows is that they try to bring together all of the community, both local people and the University, in order to continue developing the arts in Rock Hill,” Jacobs said.

It wasn’t Jacobs’ first art

show but it was the first time her artwork had been chosen and judged on the criteria of Fine Arts. Jacobs is a junior fine arts major.

“I wasn’t too nervous, but it was great to be chosen,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs’ piece “Untitled” was sold. It was the first time any of her artwork has sold. Assis-tant professor Seth Rouser’s work “Untitled” won Best in Show.

“I feel very happy. I knew I was winning an award, but I didn’t know where I was in the ranking,” said Rouser.

His piece that won was part of a series that took four years to complete. They are cloud like paintings but Rouser said he got his inspiration from the heavens.

“The heavens are always there and always chang-ing. The human condition is like clouds. We are accumu-lated atoms. We change, and morph. It’s about the human experience. These paintings are more about ‘being’ than clouds,” said Rouser.

Other students who had pieces in the show were Lau-ren Copley, Zach NeSmith, Sarah Cason and previous grad student Adrian Rhodes. Associate professor Shaun Cassidy also had a piece en-tered in the show.

Rhodes’ piece “Derlkt” won first place. Overall the Win-throp art community was well represented and the show was a success.

Professor wins Best in ShowCHINA • from front

Rebecca Jacobs sold her photograph of a tree, left, while art professor Seth Rouser won Best in Show with his concep-tual mixed media piece about heaven, right. Photos courtesy of Rebecca Jacobs.

SPORTS

Jeff Brodeur | Sports [email protected]

Shelby Chiasson | Assistant Sports [email protected]


Men’s tennis lands nationally ranked recruiting class for 2012-13The incoming class consists of three fresh-

men, Michael Chen, JD O’Brein, and Steven Patrick, as well as sohphmore Peter Nagovnak, who transferred from the University of Tennes-see.

Chen, a Johnson City, Tenn. native, is a four-star recruit and has been ranked as high as no. 116 in the nation by TennisRecruiting.net.

O’Brien, who’s hometown is in Hilton Head, S.C., was a member of the state champion-ship team in 2011 at Hilton Head Preparatory School, one of the top tennis academies in the country.

Patrick, another Tennessee native, hail-ing from Knoxville, is a two-time state dou-bles champion, as well as the Tennessee High School Player of the Year.

Lastly, Lagovnak, who comes all the way from Kraubath, Austria, transferred from the Uni-versity of Tennessee, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining at Winthrop. Last season, he was ranked no. 117 individually in the nation with the Volunteers.

“I expect all of them to be in the hunt and

contributing,” said Stubbs. “The coaching staff will be able to mold the new guys and teach them what Win-throp tennis is about.”

In addition to the new faces on the court, sev-eral key players from last sea-son’s squad will be returning, so don’t expect the freshmen to be stealing all of the spotlight in 2012-2013.

“As far as where everyone is going to stack up, I think it’s way too early to tell,” he said. “But it’s exciting that it’s only the second or third day of classes and these guys are already starting to gel. A lot of them live together too,

which is great.”Despite all the young talent com-

ing to the roster, this is still a very young team, which usually means struggles are expected early on as they start to mold as a team.

Stubbs stressed the fact that working hard and growing as a team is the biggest task at hand right now, and not to get too caught up in the hype.

“I told the guys the other day in the team meeting that we have a lot of potential and a great recruiting class and that all sounds great, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t get it done on the court,” said Stubbs. “Our saying is “practice is for im-provement, not for maintaining. We just want to get one percent better every day.”

Although the official schedule has yet to be released for 2012-2013, the season will get un-derway shortly after returning from Christmas vacation.

The team has been practicing since the start

of classes prepping for the upcoming season, a time period that Stubbs believes will be crucial to the outcome of the season.

“Right now, it’s all about how much they grow as a team and getting the most out of their potential,” he said.

Andrew Stubbs is entering his second season as the head coach of the men’s tennis team. Photo cour-tesy of Winthrop Athletics.

...it’s exciting that it’s only the second or third day of classes and these guys are already starting to gel. Andrew StubbsHead Coach

“”

Sports BriefsWinthrop leads Big South in percentage of presi-dential honor roll achievers

Winthrop placed 64.76 percent of its 210 student-athletes on the Presidential Honor Roll, highest in the Big South, and was one of six full-time conference members to have at least 50 percent on the list.

To be named to the Presidential Honor Roll, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better for the recently-completed academic year. A total of 1,547 out of 3,278 student-athletes – 47.19 percent –from all Big South schools are in-cluded on the list. The 47.19 percentage marks the highest percent-age since 2003 and is the eighth-straight year above the 40 percent threshold, as well as the seventh consecutive year-to-year improve-ment. It is also the third year in a row over 45 percent.

UNC-Asheville and Gardner-Webb rounded out the top three, with percentages of 57.89 and 56.47 respectively.

Brian Schwartz to serve as graduate assistant for men’s tennis

Winthrop men’s tennis coach Andrew Stubbs has announced the addition of former Tennessee tennis standout Bryan Swartz to his coaching staff as a graduate assistant for the 2012-2013 year.

“I am excited to have Bryan join our staff,” said Stubbs. “He has competed at the highest level of college tennis over the last four years and his experience at Tennessee will be a tremendous asset to our team. Bryan has the knowledge, skills, and character to help take our program to the next level.”

Swartz is a 2012 graduate of Tennessee. During his four years as a Volunteer, their team was consistently ranked in the nation’s top 10 including a 2010 national championship appearance. Swartz played a key role in UT’s 2010 and 2011 SEC Championships. During his collegiate career, Swartz accumulated wins over South Carolina, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Auburn among others.

In 2011, Swartz won the singles and doubles championships at the Tennessee Fall Invitational. Prior to his time at the University of Tennessee, Swartz was a five-star recruit out of Sarasota, Fla.

Men’s basketball schedule set for 2012-2013 sea-son

First year head coach Pat Kelsey has recently released the official 29-game schedule for the upcoming season.

Highlighting this season are away games against Ohio, Ohio State and Auburn. The Eagles will also host a home game against Virginia Commonwealth University, who made a Final Four appearance two years ago in the NCAA tournament. They will also host an ESPN Bracketbuster game in their own building in February.

“I am sure every Winthrop Basketball fan on planet Earth is fired up knowing we have a 2011 Final Four participant in VCU coming to the Winthrop Coliseum on Nov.17. I know I am! It will be an electric atmosphere indeed,” said Kelsey.

The Pat Kelsey Era will get underway on Nov.10 with the 2012 Homecoming opener against St. Andrews Presbyterian. Following a road game at Indiana State on Nov. 13, the Eagles will return home to face VCU on Nov. 17. The Rams are expected to contend for the Atlantic-10 championship and a top 25 ranking this season.

Four women’s soccer players recognized by Col-lege Sports Madness

Four Winthrop women’s soccer players were recently recognized on Preseason All-Conference teams by College Sports Madness, and sophomore forward Krystyna Freda was named the Preseason Of-fensive Player of the Year.

Senior midfielder Allie VandeWater, junior defender/midfielder Megan Pritts, sophomore defender Ashley Herndon and Freda were selected to the Preseason All-Conference teams. Freda and Vande-Water were recognized on the First Team, while Pritts and Herndon were named to the Second Team.

TENNIS • from front

UPCOMNG GAMESHOME GAMES IN BOLD

MEN’S SOCCER VOLLEYBALL8/31 @ GEORGIA SOUTHERN - 5 P.M. 8/31 @ DAVIDSON - 4:30 P.M.9/2 @ WOFFORD - 3:30 P.M. 9/1 @ UNCW - 10 A.M.9/7 @ VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH - 4:30 P.M. 9/1 @ WAKE FOREST - 7 P.M. 9/7 @ UAB - 4:30 P.M.WOMEN’S SOCCER9/3 @ CLEMSON - 7 P.M.9/6 @ WOFFORD - 6 P.M.9/9 @ EAST TENNESSEE STATE - 1 P.M.

Palmer named offensive player of the week in opening tourney

Palmer’s 29 kills and 61 assists helped the Lady Eagles jump out to a 2-1 record in the early season. Junior Stephanie Palmer has already made her mark in women’s volleyball. Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics.

By Jeff [email protected]

Many of Winthrop’s students weren’t even aware that the 2012-2013 volleyball season was already underway. Part of this is because of the fact that nine of their first ten games are on the road, a tough way to start off.

But after this past weekend’s North Carolina Central Invitational, they aren’t going to let playing away from home hinder their chances to repeat as a 20-win team. After dropping their opening game against Hampton University, the Lady Eagles got back to their winning ways, beating Bradley University and North Carolina Central, both by the score of 3-0.

Leading the charge for Winthrop was junior setter Stephanie Palmer, who tallied 29 kills, 61 assists, a .379 hitting average, eight service aces and 18 digs in the trio of games over the weekend. Following the conclusion of the tourna-ment, Palmer’s performance earned her the NCCI All-Tournament honors.

Her strong start to the season contin-ued to receive recognition on Monday. The Spartanburg, SC native was named the Choice Hotels Big South Volleyball Player of the Week by league officials. Although the Lady Eagles won’t be mak-ing an appearance in Rock Hill until the Winthrop Classic on Sept. 14, they will be tested with a challenging non-conference schedule. On tap for Win-throp during the road trip include the likes of Clemson, South Carolina, Wake Forest, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham.


Women’s soccer drops season opener against WCU

The Lady Eagles stumbled out of the gate, giving up two goals early in the game against Western Carolina. Despite a second half score by Winthrop to cut the lead to one, they were unable to pull off the late game rally in their first game of the new season. Photos by Claire VanOstenbridge • [email protected].

By Jeff [email protected]

The Winthrop women’s soccer team has a lot of upside as they head into the 2012-2013 season. Last year’s Big South Co-Regular Season Champions are returning 21 letter winners and nine starters, none more anticipated than sopho-more phenom Krystyna Freda.

The Somerset, NJ native ranked no. 22 nationally in points per game, no. 10 in goals per game, no. 14 in goals, no. 28 in points and eighth in game-winning goals. Those ranks were also all tops in the Big South Conference last sea-son. With those kinds of numbers as a freshman, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when she was named the Big South Preseason At-tacking Player of the Year.

With all the hype surrounding this year’s squad, the Lady Eagle’s opening game against Western Carolina this past Sunday was a great opportunity to kick off the season with a win.

The Catamounts of WCU had other plans, as they went on to spoil Winthrop’s opening day with a 2-1 win over the Lady Eagles. The loss continues a struggling trend against the Catamounts, who have never lost to Winthrop in the three games the teams have met.

Western Carolina came out of the gates firing, with three quality looks at the goal within the first 18 minutes of play. The first score of the game came at the 27:10 mark, when a cross inside the 18 yard mark deflected off the foot of an Eagles player and into the net for an own goal.

Nine minutes later, the Catamounts added to their lead when junior Christine Ka-znowski put a 20 yard shot into the back of the net for the 2-0 advantage.

“I missed a makeable shot earlier in the period, so it felt good to connect on the sec-ond one,” Kaznowski said.

Going into the second half, the Lady Eagles were able to put some offensive pressure on their opponent, with several good looks at the net. The pressure paid off in the 66 minute, when senior Lia Gorden found the back of the goal off a pass from sophomore Devin Puckett.

Freda led the team with five shots on goal, but was unable to connect on any of them.

That would be it for offense for the re-mainder of the game, as Western Carolina leaves Rock Hill with their first win of their season, and a 1-2 record overall.

“We picked up the intensity in the second

half,” said Winthrop head coach Spencer Smith. “Western Carolina is a good side and they showed that in the first 45 minutes to-day. We rose to the challenge in the second half and played much better.”

The Lady Eagles will look to right the ship as they take on South Carolina State on Aug. 29, before traveling to Historic Riggs Field to take on the Clemson Tigers.

We picked up the intensity in the second half. Spencer SmithHead Coach

“”

You all know how the past few years have treated the Carolina Panthers. Even the most faithful of Panthers fans know the jokes that follow behind their beloved team.

And with the added hubris of Cam Newton and center Ryan Kalil, who actually took out a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer promising the Queen City a 2013 Super Bowl win, the Panthers have a lot to own up to.

Winthrop alum Chris Murphy believes that the team is “overrated. It’s the only word needed.”

Though there are many mixed feelings and opinions on the local NFL team, the first two preseason games

really isn’t giving a concrete prediction for the rest of the season. After a disappointing loss to the Houston Texans last week, the Panthers pulled a win over the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 17.

The Panther’s defensive line stepped up and proved to the skeptics that this season may not be as lackluster as some are predicting. Though it is early to predict the success of a team, it will be interesting to see how the Panthers play when the regular season games begin.

Have an opinion? We want to know!

Log on to mytjnow.com and let your voices be heard!

Carolina Panthers: Worth the hype or overrated?

Shelby ChiassonAssistant

Sports Editor

Is international recruiting changing collegiate sports?

I love the fact that universi-ties from around the country are welcoming international athletes with open arms.

From a cultural point of view, it brings a much need-ed sense of diversity to cam-puses. From an academic point of view, international students can bring new ex-periences and thoughts to

the classroom that we may have never thought of ourselves. And from an athletic perspective, it pro-motes competition as schools are looking to recruit the best players to their program, re-gardless of where their from.

But how much is too much? For in-stance, our women’s tennis team right here at Winthrop doesn’t have a single player born in the States. The men’s soc-cer team has 13 international players on the roster. While there’s nothing wrong with this, I feel like college programs are becoming too concerned about com-petition rather than the identity of their school. When most people think of Win-throp University, they think of a south-ern liberal arts school, with a large ma-jority of their students hailing from the area.

Looking at the rosters of our sports teams, as with many NCAA programs, you would never be able to guess where the school is located.

I understand that most people don’t care, and that they’d much rather have a competitive team than a localized one, but I feel that it takes away from the identity of a school and what the uni-versity is all about. When Alabama beat Louisiana State University in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game earlier this year, it wasn’t the best players from the Alabama region versus the best players from the Louisiana Region. Instead, it was a collection of the top players from all around the country. To me, that almost seems unfair, and that’s a sport that’s only played in the United States. When teams are facing competition that is en-

tirely international, it only intensifies that feeling. This is a trend around the country, and seeing as

college sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, it’s not going to change any time soon. Of the 13 active NCAA sports here at Winthrop, there are a total of 41 athletes born outside of the United States.

As I said before, I love the diversity and the expe-riences that international athletes bring to a college campus; I just question the integrity playing a U.S. college sports team that’s comprised of students born elsewhere.

Jeff BrodeurSports Editor

SPORT# of international

players

Men’s basketball

Women’s basketball

Men’s tennisWomen’s Tennis

Men’ s track & Field Men’s Soccer

SoftballWomen’ s cross country

Men’s cross countryWomen’s golf

Volleyball

12

1111618

4

12

Winthrop’s international athletes by sport


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August 30th

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