2005-06 Accomplishments and Awards

2005-06 Accomplishments and Awards

\| Institutional \| Students \| Faculty/Staff \| Alumni \| Friends \|Faculty/Staff Awards Ceremony

Institutional
Education Grant to Train Current and Future Principals The S.C. Commission on Higher Education awarded the Richard W. Riley College of Education a $776,038 grant for a new initiative, the Pee Dee Leadership Academy. Funded by the No Child Left Behind Act, the grant will provide for professional development training for current school principals and potential principals in four counties in rural South Carolina.

An America's Best Value College The Princeton Review named Winthrop University as one of the nation’s best value undergraduate institutions in its 2007 edition of “America’s Best Value Colleges.” It is the third national publication to count Winthrop as a national “best value” university, joining Consumer’s Digest, which includes Winthrop among America’s top 50 public “best value” institutions, and Barron’s Best Buys, which cites Winthrop as a university “where the dollar goes further.” The guide profiled 103 public and 47 private colleges with excellent academics, generous financial aid packages and relatively low costs.

Men's Basketball Team Thrills Fans at Season's End The 2005-06 men's basketball team, the first unanimous pre-season pick to win the league title in Big South history, proved worthy of that honor when the Eagles beat Coastal Carolina in the tournament championship March 4 at the Winthrop Coliseum. Regular season champs as well, the team was matched up against the University of Tennessee in the March 16 first round of the NCAA tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The 15-seed Eagles more than held their own against the 4-seed Volunteers who won on a last-second shot, 63-61. The first-round NCAA trip marked the sixth appearance in eight seasons for Coach Gregg Marshall's Eagles; they ended the season with a 23-8 record.

Tops in Historic Preservation For the second time in three years, Winthrop won a Historic Rock Hill award for preservation. The university was honored for renovating the Olde Stone House, on Eden Terrace, and making it a viable part of the community. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Olde Stone House has a stone exterior which was added in 1937-38 during the building’s renovation by Works Progress Administration labor. A makeover of the building recently was completed and included the addition of an outdoor patio, viewing decks and a conference room. Many original architectural features of the house remain, including the downstairs fireplaces and hardwood floors. The university also was honored with a preservation award in 2003 for general improvements and preservation of the historic buildings on the main campus.

IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence Grant Received In fall 2005 Winthrop and six other South Carolina colleges and universities learned they will share a $17.3 million federal grant for a collaborative program that will bolster biomedical research and expand educational opportunities for undergraduates. The grant is part of the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program, an initiative sponsored by the National Institutes of Health through the National Center for Research Resources. The grant will link comprehensive research universities with primarily undergraduate institutions. The focus for the state’s proposal is bioengineering, with each university pursuing a different concentration related to that theme. Winthrop’s focus is on molecular biomedical research. Each university will match its portion of the grant to bring the total funding package to nearly $35 million. Over the five-year period, Winthrop will receive $2.1 million and will commit another $1.7 million of its own resources.

Volleyball Team Makes Fourth Consecutive NCAA Appearance The 2005 Winthrop volleyball season showcased yet another successful and impressive squad. By defeating UNC-Asheville on Nov. 20, the Eagles secured the 2005 Big South Volleyball Championship which earned them their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. The Eagles (28-5) also became the first Big South school ever to win four-straight volleyball championships. The team also put together several remarkable streaks, including winning their 37th-straight match over a Big South opponent, winning their 12th consecutive conference tournament match, and as 2005 regular season champions as well, the team was the first Big South squad to go undefeated in the regular season and conference tournament in back-to-back seasons.

Students
Six graduating seniors received the Tillman Award at Winthrop's spring commencement exercises on May 6 at Winthrop Coliseum. The Tillman Award is the university's highest academic honor. The winners were: Erica Lynn Devine, an education major from Denver, N.C.; Stephanie Marie Elliott, an education major from Moore, S.C.; Kathryn Patricia Kohl, a biology major from Fort Mill, S.C.; Kyla Jere Thomas, an education major from Union, S.C.; Jennifer Gail Wilkes, an education major from Chapin, S.C.; and Mary Allison Wise, an English major from Clover, S.C.

Theatre Major's Work Performed at Snowdance Festival A play, “Death is a Bitch,” by David Hensley was accepted as one of 12 finalists in the 2006 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival, produced by the Over Our Head Players in Racine, Wis. The sophomore theatre performance major wrote the play for a fall 2005 playwriting class, taught by Terry Roeuche. The festival attracted 180 scripts from across the country. The play premiered on Jan. 20, 2006, at the 6th Street Theatre in Racine.

Bal and Chacon Achieve Tillman Award, Top Student Academic Honor Speech and communications disorders major Jeanette May Bal (left) of Summerville, S.C., and Yamilette Chacon (right), a sociology major of Rock Hill, received the Tillman Award at fall commencement exercises on Dec. 17. The Tillman Award is the university’s highest academic honor. Established in 1940 to honor former S.C. Governor Benjamin Ryan Tillman, the award recognizes the graduate who has most consistently met the demands of academic excellence.

Willis Is Finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year The NCAA announced in October 2005 that former Winthrop softball standout Janiva Willis was among 10 finalists for the prestigious 2005 NCAA Woman of the Year award. The finalists were selected from 352 entries. Willis is the second former Winthrop female student-athlete in as many years to be selected the South Carolina NCAA Woman of the Year. The award recognizes senior student-athletes for their outstanding achievements in athletics, academics and community service. Willis, a member of the Canadian National Team in summer 2005, was a four-time All-Big South First Team selection and the 2005 Big South Scholar Athlete of the Year. She finished her college career as the most dominant hitter in Winthrop softball history, helping the Lady Eagles reach three conference championship games in four seasons. Willis was a four-time Big South Presidential Honor Roll member, an NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete, and a member of Winthrop's President’s List and Dean’s List.

Luepkes Awarded Prestigious Foundation Scholarship for Advanced Study In summer 2005 Catherine Luepkes of Racine, Wis., was selected to receive one of 76 scholarships awarded through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. She will now pursue a doctorate at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Luepkes was chosen after a nationwide selection process that drew 1,290 nominees from more than 600 colleges institutions across the country. Luepkes, who graduated in May 2005 with a degree in political science, was involved in numerous activities and causes at Winthrop. A student activist, she founded Amnesty International at Winthrop and took the organization to Birmingham, Ala., to participate in a national conference on the civil rights movement and human rights. She also undertook research on flawed water and sanitation systems in Chad, Cambodia, and Afghanistan that leave millions vulnerable to treatable diseases. She presented papers frequently, including to the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. In recognition of her achievements and outstanding commitment to public service, Luepkes received the 2005 Mary Mildred Sullivan Award.

Narczewski Named One of WSJ's "Best in Class" Adam Narczewski, a December 2004 finance graduate, was honored with the Wall Street Journal’s 2005 Student Achievement Award. He was named one of the Wall Street Journal’s “Best in Class,” and was featured in a September 2005 issue. A native of Poland, Narczewski received the award for his exceptional academic work. A former member of the Winthrop men’s tennis team, Narczewski has continued his graduate education at Winthrop, working on an M.B.A. in accounting, while also serving as a senior consultant in Winthrop’s Small Business Development Center.

Faculty/Staff
Photography Professor Chosen as Thompson Scholar Selected as the inaugural Winthrop University Thompson Scholar, art professor Phil Moody will direct a digital photography project with rural South Carolina students during the 2006-07 academic year. Moody, who has taught photography classes at Winthrop for 21 years, proposes to create “The Rural Photography Studio.” As part of the project, junior high students from schools along the I-95 corridor will be given a digital camera to photograph their school and private lives as part of their social studies and creative writing course work. Funded by former Winthrop Board of Trustee Bob Thompson and his wife, Norma, of Rock Hill, the Thompson Scholar provides for reassigned time for a faculty member who proposes a project to benefit the learning mission of the university.

Letourneau Named Distinguished Professor for 2006 The 2006 recipient of the Distinguished Professor of the Year is Angela Letourneau, chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics for the past five years. The Distinguished Professor award is the highest recognition Winthrop can bestow upon a faculty member and is presented at the May undergraduate commencement ceremony. Letourneau teaches in every program in the College of Business Administration. She was recognized in 2003 as the winner of the “Educator of the Year Award” by the S.C. Association of the certified public accountants for her contributions to student professional development.

Blackburn Awarded Outstanding Junior Professor Award The Outstanding Junior Professor for 2006 is Barbara Blackburn, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the Richard W. Riley College of Education. The award recognizes inspired teaching, research or creative excellence and dedication to the welfare of students. It is presented during the May undergraduate commencement ceremony. Blackburn came to Winthrop in 2000 to establish a new graduate program for middle school teachers. She serves as president of the National Professors of Middle Level Education Association and is past president of the South Carolina chapter.

Fisher Receives Verner Award for Arts Contributions Christine Sides Fisher, director of the Arts in Basic Curriculum Project based at Winthrop, received one of seven 2006 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Awards, official Governor’s Awards for the Arts. The annual awards from the S.C. Arts Commission recognize outstanding achievement and contributions, and are the highest honor the state presents in the arts. Fisher's award is in the arts in education category. An outstanding former music teacher who won the state "Teacher of the Year" award in 1998, Fisher has promoted arts education in South Carolina for more than two decades. Fisher became director of the ABC Project in July 2001.

Sumter Awarded Largest Science Grant Ever at Winthrop The National Science Foundation awarded Takita F. Sumter, assistant professor of chemistry, a $167,428 grant for her proposed research “Determination of the Role of Protein Arginine Methylation in HMGA1a Function.” The two-year grant is the largest science research grant in Winthrop's history. Award recommendations for the program are made based upon peer reviews by a panel of nationally distinguished scientists assembled by the foundation. Sumter is a biochemist who teaches in both the general chemistry and biochemistry programs; she also is responsible for Winthrop's chemistry seminar program. She completed her Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of South Carolina and conducted her postdoctoral research fellowship with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She authored the recent biochemistry self-study that led to American Chemical Society approval of Winthrop's programs. She also is one of six Winthrop faculty members involved in the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program.

DiGiorgio's Citizenship and Service Recognized by Regional Chamber Described by his peers as impassioned for excellence and committed to partnerships, President Anthony J. DiGiorgio was recognized on Jan. 27 for his service to the community. DiGiorgio received the Citizenship and Service Award at the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual meeting. The award recognizes an individual or group that has worked for the greater good of the county. DiGiorgio was credited with leading an effort to increase enrollment, minority enrollment, average SAT scores and sustained high performance at Winthrop over his 17-year tenure. His management of a more than 900-member workforce, annual budget of $90 million and overall annual economic impact of nearly $200 million in the region was noted, as was his commitment to a variety of local, regional and national organizations and causes.

Bird Wins Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching John Bird, professor of English, was honored at the Dec. 17 undergraduate commencement exercises with the university’s James Pinckney Kinard and Lee Wicker Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is based on dedication to teaching, reputation on campus for teaching, and reputation among students. Known as a gifted and imaginative teacher, Bird has demonstrated his creativity and high standards in teaching a multitude of English courses. He currently teaches composition, critical thinking, American literature, and critical theory. He has also taught topics of special interest such as environmental literature and his primary research topic, Mark Twain. Bird has contributed to curriculum innovations for the new General Education program. He is editor for “Mark Twain Annual” and author of the soon-to-be-published book “Figuring Mark Twain: Mark Twain and Metaphor.” He serves on Academic Council, chairs the Graduate Faculty Assembly, and is president of the American Humor Studies Association. Bird joined the English faculty in 1993.

Outstanding Advisor Fortner-Wood Honored with Award Cheryl Fortner-Wood, associate professor of psychology and director of special projects for University College, was honored in August 2005 as the 2004-05 Outstanding Advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences. Praised as a caring and effective mentor, Fortner-Wood has earned a reputation with students for guiding them as they become architects of their own learning. She noted that advising is some of the most important work that faculty members do. The advising award is presented annually by the College of Arts and Sciences to an advisor who has demonstrated exceptional advising skills during his or her academic career.

Alumni
Federspiel and Pettus Selected for Achievement Awards This year's Alumni Professional Achievement Award was presented to JoAnn Deason Federspiel `56 of Nashville, Tenn., and Louise Pettus `46 of Rock Hill. Known for her pioneering spirit, Federspiel is the retired founder and president of Deason International Inc. She also worked as a strategic management consultant, senior vice-president of ATE/Ryder System, Inc., general manager of Metropolitan Nashville Transit Authority and teacher. She was the first woman president of the Nashville Rotary Club and is a past general chair and executive board member for Leadership Nashville. Selected as a Davidson County (Tenn.) Business and Professional Woman of the Year, she contributed her time and talents to many civic, business and professional organizations. A retired history professor at Winthrop, Pettus is known throughout the state as a distinguished historian, scholar and author who has helped bring alive the history of the Piedmont through newspaper columns, an award-winning genealogical quarterly publication and eight books. Her recent awards include a Keeper of the Culture award from the York County Culture and Heritage Commission, a Historic Rock Hill Preservation Award from the City of Rock Hill and a History Award Medal from the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. The Indian Land, S.C., native belongs to numerous preservation organizations and historical societies.

Distinguished Service Award Presented to Hewitt The winner of the Alumni Distinguished Service Award was Laura Manheim Hewitt `61 of Charleston, S.C. She has served on the Winthrop Foundation Board since 1990 and is very active in her community. She is chairman of the Storm Eye Institute, president of the Charleston Stage Co. and former chair of the Coast Guard Scholarship Board. She is an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, where she is a prayer minister, greeter, coffee hostess and Bible Study group member. A former teacher, she is mother to four children and grandmother to 13.

Butler Receives Mary Mildred Sullivan Award The recipient for the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award was Mary Katherine Clarkson Butler `46 of Darlington, S.C. After graduation, she taught school, worked as a home demonstration agent and then embarked on a long career with the Department of Social Services. As a children and family services supervisor for the department, she inspired others to improve the quality of life for those in Darlington County. She also served as a founding steering committee member and later co-director of the Lord Cares cooperative ministry, which is sponsored by the Darlington County Ministerial Association. In addition, she serves on a committee for the Darlington County Free Medical Clinic.

Duncan Stands Out at Work and Winthrop The Outstanding Young Alumni Award went to Shane Duncan `98 of Simpsonville, S.C. He earned double degrees in business marketing and French at Winthrop, where he held leadership roles with various organizations and for the alumni relations office, most notably as Senior Gift Committee chair. Now working as a district sales manager for DHL Express, he is ranked in the top 2 percent of the DHL sales force, is a member of the DHL President’s Club and is ranked first in the International Division. Still involved with his alma mater, he has served as an officer with the Rock Hill/York County Alumni Club and assisted with the Winthrop Alumni Admissions program and the association’s nominating committee.

Clark a Finalist for S.C. Teacher of the Year In March Kathy All Clark ' 76 was named as a finalist for the 2006 State Teacher of the Year by S.C. Superintent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. She is one of five educators vying to represent more than 50,000 South Carolina teachers in the National Teacher of the Year program. Clark is a music teacher at Howe Hall Arts Infused Magnet School (AIMS) in Berkeley County. She believes teachers are much like musicians who use their own style to transform subject matter into an emotional learning experience for students. A workshop facilitator and grant writer, Clark has taught for 28 years and is National Board certified.

Lloyd Confirmed as U.S. Attorney for South Carolina Reginald Lloyd is the first African-American to hold the post of U.S. attorney for South Carolina in more than a century. Lloyd, who had served as a South Carolina circuit judge, was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to his new post in February 2006. The Camden native graduated from Winthrop in 1989 and earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1993. He also served briefly on Winthrop’s Board of Trustees before becoming a circuit judge.

Bennett First African American Named to Athletics Hall of Fame Bennie Bennett ’81 was inducted into the Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame in January 2006. Bennett was a member of the university’s first men’s basketball team, enjoyed an outstanding playing career, and was the first men’s player to score 1,000 points. He ranks among Winthrop’s career leaders in eight different categories. Bennett had a successful 15-year high school coaching career at Fort Mill and Clover high schools and also served as athletic director and assistant principal at Clover High School from 1993-98. He became principal at Clover Middle School in 1998. In 2002, he became the first African American to be appointed as an assistant superintendent in the Clover School District. He is the first African American named to the Hall of Fame.

Tennis Ace Blouin Joins Athletics Hall of Fame Carolina de Freitas Blouin ’95 was inducted into the Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame in January 2006. Blouin became the first Winthrop tennis player to be ranked in the NCAA Div. I Top 50 in 1994, the same year that she was named the Big South Conference Women’s Athlete of the Year and Winthrop’s Female Athlete of the Year. During the 1994 season, she was undefeated at both the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles positions en route to earning All-Big South Conference honors and Women’s Tennis Player of the Year. Blouin earned Dean’s List honors all four years and was a three-time Big South Presidential Scholar. As a professional, she was ranked the No. 1 singles player in the North Carolina Open Division in 1997.

Basketball Career Leader Brunson Makes Athletics Hall of Fame Charlie Brunson ’82 was inducted into the Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame in January 2006. Brunson ranks as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Winthrop men’s basketball history with 1,850 points and 913 rebounds during a three-year career. He was selected in 1981 and 1982 as an NAIA First Team All-American and helped lead the 1980-81 Eagles to a school-record 31-8 record. He also was selected to the NAIA All-District 6 teams in 1981 and 1982. During his career, Brunson averaged 20.1 points and 10 rebounds per game and finished his career ranked among Winthrop’s Top 10 career leaders in 10 of 16 categories. He is one of four Winthrop basketball players to have had his jersey retired.

Friends
Doughty Receives Medal of Honor in the Arts Ray Doughty, influential music educator and arts education advocate, was awarded the 2005 Medal of Honor in the Arts in October 2005. The Columbia, S.C., native founded the instrumental and choral music programs at Southside High School in Florence, S.C., was the band director at TL Hanna in Anderson, S.C., was music educator at West Market Elementary School, and served Anderson District Five as music coordinator. He later joined Winthrop as a professor of music, lecturer in music education, and the project director for South Carolina’s Arts in Basic Curriculum Project - a nationally recognized arts education reform model. In 1998, Doughty retired from Winthrop and now works as an arts education consultant. A member of the S.C. Music Educators Hall of Fame, he is a recipient of the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Arts in Education Award and the S.C. Arts Alliance’s Scottie Award.

Goode Receives Medal of Honor in the Arts Rock Hill native Harriet Marshall Goode was awarded the 2005 Medal of Honor in the Arts in October 2005. Since 2001, Goode has been owner of Gallery 5, a contemporary art-space in the city’s vibrant downtown. Her award-winning paintings have been exhibited regionally and nationally and are owned by collectors throughout the United States and abroad. Goode studied art with William Halsey, at Silvermine Art School in Canaan, Conn., and at Winthrop. A former president of the S.C. Watercolor Society, she has served on the boards of the Rock Hill Arts Council and the Culture and Heritage Commission. She is a patron of the Winthrop Galleries and a member of the Rock Hill Downtown Board of Directors. Goode is a recipient of the arts council’s Volunteer of the Year Award, a Career Achievement Award from her alma mater, Converse College, and the Keeper of the Culture Award from the Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Randolph-Wright Receives Medal of Honor in the Arts Charles Randolph-Wright was awarded the 2005 Medal of Honor in the Arts in October 2005. The York, S.C., native has built a dynamic and diversified career in directing, writing and producing for theatre, television and film. Once an honors pre-medical graduate of Duke University, he turned to the arts after studying acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and dance with the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. His recent directorial film debut, “On the One,” recently swept the feature film prizes at the ninth annual American Black Film Festival. His play “Blue,” starring Phylicia Rashad, broke box office records across the country. His new play, “Cuttin’ Up,” premiered this fall. Randolph-Wright serves on Duke University’s artistic board, the Writers’ Council of Arena Stage, and the Roundabout Theatre’s Board of Directors. He is chairman of the Wright Family Foundation of South Carolina, a non-profit created to discover and recapture the heritage and history of African Americans in the South Carolina upstate.

Medal of Honor in the Arts Awarded Posthumously to Walter and Georgina Roberts Walter Roberts and Georgina Wooton-Roberts were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in the Arts in October 2005. Roberts was the longtime head of Winthrop’s music department who joined the college in 1925. He was chair for 38 years, established a master class in piano and voice which ran for 25 years and employed such teachers as Virgil Fox, the organist who gave a dedication concert of the Aeolian Skinner organ in 1955. He also brought a S.C. Music Festival to Winthrop, which over the years grew from 350 to 5,000 participants. Roberts served as president and board member of the S.C. Music Educators Association and established the Rock Hill Choral Society. Wooton-Roberts was an artist who studied at De Pauw University, Chicago Art Institute, and Church School of Art in Chicago. She established a career as professor of fine arts at Kansas State Teachers College in Fort Hays and later at California Christian College in Los Angeles. She exhibited at Los Angeles Museum of History, Science, and Art and was a member of the California Watercolor Society. She came with her husband, Walter Roberts, to Winthrop but could not be employed at the same college. In a speech delivered in 1983, Roberts gave credit to his wife for giving up her career as an artist and educator to assist him in his work.

Shanklin-Peterson Receives Medal of Honor in the Arts Scott Shanklin-Peterson was awarded the 2005 Medal of Honor in the Arts in October 2005. An arts visionary and ally working on international, national and local levels to expand public awareness of the arts, Shanklin-Peterson served as executive director of the S.C. Arts Commission from 1980-94 and as senior deputy chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts from 1994-2001. Her list of past board service includes the Board of Directors of the Southern Arts Federation, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and the American Council for the Arts. Currently, Shanklin-Peterson serves as director of the arts management program at the College of Charleston. Shanklin-Peterson has received numerous awards, including the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Individual Arts Award, the Order of the Palmetto, and other awards from the National Art Education Association and the S.C. Arts Alliance.

Faculty/Staff Awards Ceremony
Presidential Citations
Athletics
Members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Accreditation Committee: Roger Weikle, Norma McDuffie, Tom Hickman, Sarah Stallings, Brien Lewis, Bethany Marlowe, Evelyne Weeks and Margaret Williamson, for their unprecedented efforts in producing Winthrop’s self-study of its athletics program, an accomplishment that produced the first NCAA re-certification process that identified no issues cited as stated by the NCAA’s steering committee; and for their outstanding leadership and hard work in guiding three subcommittees, made up of cross-campus representatives, throughout the yearlong process.

Scott Finn and Jason Capel, athletics, for their dedication to offering enhanced customer service to Eagles fans through the improvement, development and marketing of the athletics department’s online ticketing system, an effort which has resulted in a 61 percent increase in usage as compared to the 2004-05 academic year.
Student Affairs
Nancy Draper, admissions, for her outstanding commitment to creating a positive, long-lasting impression of Winthrop for potential students and their families; for her diligence and professionalism in handling the scheduling and myriad details involved with campus tours; for her ability to immediately connect and establish rapport with campus visitors; for her tireless efforts in going above and beyond what is expected and needed to complete a task; for her diligence in every aspect of her job, from managing the budget to ensuring that the appearance of the office is pleasing to visitors; and for her cheerful willingness to put the needs of students and the university first.

Pat Padgett, career development, for her ready acceptance of additional departmental responsibilities, including supervising student workers and assisting in maintaining the department’s jobs database, both tasks that created new challenges but were met with a positive “can do” attitude; and for her constant, long-standing commitment to maintaining the career development budget as well as the cooperative education budget, all responsibilities that allow the department staff to continue their concentration on customer service and student needs.
University Advancement
Angie Conner, printing services, for her enthusiasm at taking on any task – large or small – that creates a better work environment for others or helps advance the office’s customer service; for her diverse skills that allow her to move easily from copier program oversight to bindery work and layout, plus innumerable tasks in between; for her cheerful willingness to handle overflow design work from university relations and by doing so, provide creative, high-quality publications for campus departments; and for her ready smile and “yes, I can” attitude that have a positive effect on all who come in contact with her.

Judy Longshaw, university relations, for her many contributions to the D.B. Johnson Memorial Organ campaign, the overall public relations effort of which was recognized with a CASE special merit award; for her strong support to the athletics media department during the championship men’s basketball season; for her initiative in creating a web-based distribution of graduates and deans/president’s list members; and for her commitment to scheduling enthusiastic students and compelling segments for the WIS-TV “Live with Lucas College Tour” morning show; all of which Judy deftly handled while also leading the College News Association of the Carolinas as president.
Finance and Business
James Burris, facilities management, for his dedication and diligence to maintaining the quality and beauty of the campus grounds, specifically during weekend hours, and for his sharp attention to detail and carefully planned management of resources, all of which go well beyond what is required to create a welcoming environment for all of the Winthrop community to enjoy.

Wayne Francoeur, facilities management, for his tireless efforts implementing and interfacing the controls portion of the New Energy Performance Project that led to the project being named the 2006 S.C. Energy Project of the Year; and for his dedication to spending countless hours working with contractors, and using and sharing his intimate knowledge of the university’s buildings and systems to make the project transition as smooth as possible.

Brent Frasure, facilities management, for going above and beyond his job responsibilities by exercising valuable leadership skills in assuring that the day-to-day tasks of the landscape beautification crew were accomplished during the supervisor’s extended absence; and for his obvious dedication and love for the job as he led the team in keeping the university’s grounds in its usual, impeccable condition.

Kamal Rai, computing and information technology, for her commitment to advancing Winthrop’s technology offerings by the in-house development of user-friendly programs such as the Athletics Web site administration system, the interactive alumni portal and discussion board, the online photo identification system, and the customizable survey and voting programs, which have saved the university tens of thousands of dollars; for her innovative idea to create an online university master calendar and for streamlining the process that keeps the campus community informed of university happenings; and for her positive attitude and willingness to offer assistance no matter the task.
Academic Affairs
Stevie Chepko, health and physical education, for her consummate dedication to students as evidenced by her leadership in re-establishing the physical education majors club as well as the department’s honor society, Phi Epsilon Kappa; her advocacy for research which has allowed students the opportunity to present at state and national conferences; her vision in designing an introductory course that allows majors to interact with students at Macfeat Laboratory School; her commitment to strengthening the future professional component for the S.C. Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and her creativity in establishing a teambuilding component for ACAD 101.

Ron Goolsby, mathematics, for his 16 years of outstanding commitment, dedication and hard work to ensure the success of Winthrop’s Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) program. Under Dr. Goolsby’s direction, LEAP became one of the most successful programs in the country for the retention and academic success of provisionally admitted students. LEAP has been a major factor in transforming the lives of many Winthrop students and in doing so has contributed much to the quality of the campus community.

Danne Kasparek, health and physical education, for her successful partnering with residence life staff to include wellness-themed floors into the flourishing academic success communities; for her active participation in engaging wellness-minded students in programs that she arranged through residence life; and for teaching two courses in Wofford Hall, thereby enabling the Department of Health and Physical Education the opportunity to integrate the academic program seamlessly with student life and development.

April Lovegrove, political science and Model United Nations, for her tireless dedication to ensuring that Winthrop’s Model United Nations program is a continued success year after year – from working on weekends to performing the largest or smallest task; for undertaking any aspect of the program with a positive, “whatever it takes” attitude; and for her unique and invaluable ability to work with current political science students as well as the Secretariat which has ensured the program’s overall success.

Everett Stallings, curriculum and instruction, for his guidance in coordinating and leading initial discussions regarding data collection, analysis and use as part of the Richard W. Riley College of Education’s National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education process; for his vision and leadership in collecting ideas and goals of the unit faculty and in turn, developing the process, training and operation of the college’s first unit assessment system; and for his dedication and commitment to ensuring Winthrop’s renowned reputation and continued success in teacher training and unit assessment.

Tom Stanley, Winthrop Galleries, for his passion and energy in educating students and the community through a variety of art forms; for his unique ability to conceptualize exhibits, build partnerships and inspire collaboration; for his commitment to preserving the vision and creativity of outsider artists in particular; and for his initiative in coordinating Winthrop’s offerings in a major Charlotte-area arts and cultural project, South by South Africa; all of which have affirmed Winthrop Galleries’ position as a leader in the local, state and regional arts communities.

Recipients of the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence grant: Pat Owens, Jim Johnston, Dwight Dimaculangan, Kristi Westover, Laura Glasscock, Chasta Parker, Robin Lammi, Takita Sumter and Cliff Calloway, for their leadership and initiation in developing the biomedical grant proposal which resulted in Winthrop receiving a $3.8 million grant; for their commitment to ensuring that the university’s science students have access to the most technologically advanced equipment and resources; and for their ongoing dedication to providing science majors with unique experiences including faculty-led and student-assisted research participation, and the opportunity to attend and present their research findings at conferences.

Members of the 2005 Dacus Library Committee: Andy Johnston, Susan Silverman, Carrie Volk and David Weeks, for their creative ideas in increasing the community awareness and visibility of Dacus Library and for promoting the library’s resources through the design of two postcard series aimed at generating awareness and interest in exhibits and providing library facts and information; and for their enthusiastic initiative in conducting a complete redesign of the Dacus Library Web site, which included the addition of an RSS feed; all of which have increased library usage and enhanced the quality of the exhibits and holdings that Dacus Library offers.

Jean Silagyi-Rebovich and Karen Jones, Lumina Project, for their dedication and leadership in directing Winthrop’s successful four-year longitudinal assessment initiative, efforts that resulted in student participation that far exceeded the Council for Aid to Education’s expectations; for their devotion of time and effort that went well beyond what was expected for the project, all of which was done willingly for the betterment of the university; and for their level of organization that led to the project’s success and that now serves as a Council for Aid to Education benchmark.

David Letourneau and Glen Wood, Fortune in My Future, for their creative vision and foresight in establishing a successful stock market competition for incoming freshmen business majors; for their dedication to ensuring the program’s success through establishing multiple interest meetings, visiting each section of Business Administration 180 to encourage participation, holding progress meetings with participants to discuss portfolio decisions and creating T-shirts to increase awareness; and for their commitment to guaranteeing the long-term success of the program.

Community Service Awards

Jack Allen, campus police, for his dedication not only to Winthrop University events, but also to the City of Rock Hill through his service as a volunteer firefighter and a Class III State Constable; and for the selfless donation of his personal time to assist in community-wide events such as York County All on Board’s COOLFest where he assisted with an impaired driving simulation which was one of the event’s top attractions.

Wayne Broach, accounting, for his tireless efforts as area coordinator for the United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program that collected and distributed toys for more than 2,500 of the neediest families in the surrounding areas during December 2005; and for his unwavering dedication, through yearlong planning and organization, to ensuring that a wonderful holiday season is had for thousands of children annually.

Jennifer Disney, political science, for her ongoing advocacy and work as president of the executive board for A Place For Hope; for her leadership, which has led the organization through incorporation as a nonprofit corporation; for her fundraising efforts which have totaled more than $55,000; for her vision as she and other board members have seen city water and sewer services extended to homes in the area, and have also hired staff, including two Winthrop students, to work at the organization’s community center; and for her commitment to instilling the value of service learning into her students through A Place For Hope, which recently benefited from a successful student-sponsored clothing and food drive.

Stephen Forrest, ARAMARK, for his exemplary mentorship as he provides daily guidance and positive reinforcement for a young man with disabilities whom he has coached personally and professionally to develop and utilize new job and life skills; and for his compassion in understanding that disabled individuals offer a wealth of warmth, knowledge and positive attributes as contributing members of the community.

Bobbie Fuller, management and marketing, for her dedication and stewardship toward Winthrop’s Students in Free Enterprise Chapter; for her outstanding leadership skills in organizing and coordinating a grant proposal that led to the group’s purchase of computer equipment and software for the Rock Hill Girls’ Home; guiding SIFE students in the writing and development of curriculum that was used to present workshops for soon to be deployed military personnel; and working with the students to host an employment education fair for the Hispanic/Latino community and to present economic principles to local junior high students.

Lydia Johnson, finance and business, for her involvement as Winthrop’s campaign coordinator for the Community Health Charities State Employees Campaign which provides employees the opportunity to support the health agency or agencies of their choice; and for her organization and leadership as she coordinated the campaign, with the assistance of numerous campaign volunteers, for more than 1,000 Winthrop employees.

Michael Lipscomb, political science, for his dedication and tireless efforts as vice president and chair of the Carolinas Clean Air Coalition’s grant writing committee, which under his leadership has secured several grants including one for more than $30,000 which allowed the organization to open an office in uptown Charlotte, N.C., and to hire a part-time executive director; and for his generosity in giving of his time to serve as a dedicated volunteer who helps with the organization’s programming and advocacy efforts.

Alice McLaine, health and physical education, for her continued involvement and numerous hours of volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of America for whom she serves as the junior age level consultant for York 2 District and also provides additional leadership to a cadette troop and junior troop; for her continuous support of the organization through participating in fundraising activities, providing First Aid and CPR training for troop leaders and scouts and for sponsoring camping and field trips; and for her willingness to give her time and talents to serve as a role model for girls and young women in the surrounding communities.