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Interview with Josh Marr
Josh Marr, Clover School District, and COVID-19 Pandemic
OH 777
This interview was conducted by Kenya L. Lane with Josh Marr as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Marr discusses his experiences as a high school student and athlete in 2020, and how the COVID-19 pandemic and rise in racial unrest affected his senior year of high school. Marr shares how his maternal grandfather, who is of Native American descent, has served as an inspiration for him. He also echoes the analogy of the “football locker room” as a promising example for race relations on the community level. Other notable topics of conversation include virtual or remote activities, student organizations, and sports.
At the time of the interview, Josh Marr was a senior at Clover High School in Clover, S.C. He played varsity football and lacrosse as well as participated in several organizations including student council (President, 2020-21) and DECA club. He previously attended Bethany Elementary and Clover Middle Schools. As of 2024, Marr attends Queen’s University of Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. where he plays on the men’s lacrosse team. He is the son of Winthrop alumna Ginger Gibson Marr ’93, ’98.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.).”
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Interview with Kalaylah Chisolm
Kalaylah Chisolm, Winthrop University, and COVID-19 Pandemic
OH 782
This interview was conducted by Abby B. Hieber with Kalaylah Chisolm as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Chisolm discusses her experience as a college student readjusting to the educational and social challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable topics include health protocols, mental health, virtual learning, higher education, performing arts, and student life at Winthrop University.
Kalaylah Chisolm ‘22, a native of Hilton Head Island, SC, earned a B.A. in Theater with minors in Educational Studies and English from Winthrop University. She is currently pursuing a M.A. in Teaching from Winthrop. Chisolm also participated in Winthrop’s FYE Peer Mentor program.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Keith Lee Sinclair
Keith Lee Sinclair, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Lancaster County School District
OH 763
This interview was conducted by Stacy Steele with Keith Lee Sinclair as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Mr. Sinclair shares his experiences as a high school teacher amid the COVID-19 pandemic and critical year 2020. He particularly sheds light on the educational and social challenges students and teachers faced during the pandemic. Sinclair also applauds the school’s decision to offer in-person learning under appropriate COVID-19 guidelines. Notable topics of conversation include COVID-19 classroom protocols, hybrid and virtual learning, and the overall evolution of education due to the pandemic.
Keith Lee Sinclair is teacher at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, S.C. At the time of the interview, Mr. Sinclair had been an educator for twenty-six years. As of 2024, he serves as an assistant principal at Lancaster High. He is also a notable musician and songwriter.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History and African American studies at Winthrop University, the oral history project is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Lillian Peay
Lillian Peay, Winthrop University, and COVID-19 Pandemic
OH 752
In this recording, Winthrop student Lillian Peay shares the real-time challenges she faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a college student, personal trainer, and young adult. She also details the trials her mother, an obstetrician-gynecologist, confronted as a healthcare worker during the COVID crisis. Notable topics addressed in the recording include social isolation, healthcare, education, professional life, and personal health.
Lillian Peay, a native of Columbia, SC, earned her B.S. degree in Exercise Science from Winthrop University in 2021. She currently works in the personal fitness industry and plans to attend graduate school to study physical therapy.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History and African American studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Madison McKnight
Madison McKnight, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Rock Hill School District
OH 747
This interview was conducted by Stacy Steele with Madison McKnight as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. In the interview, McKnight discusses her experiences as an elementary student in the Rock Hill School District, particularly as a virtual learner, amid the novel COVID-19 pandemic. She details the educational and social challenges of schooling in 2020. Notable topics of conversation include education, virtual learning, technology, and social isolation.
Madison McKnight, at the time of the interview, was a fourth-grade student at Northside Elementary School of the Arts in Rock Hill, SC. She is the daughter of Project 2020 Director, Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Assistant Professor of History and African American studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Jennifer Dixon-McKnight
O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Winthrop University, and COVID-19 Pandemic
OH 729
This interview was conducted by Abby B. Hieber with Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Dr. Dixon-McKnight offers insight into the challenges she faced as an educator, parent, and American amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivotal year 2020. She details her experiences in terms of the evolution of higher education, particularly virtual learning. She also discusses the personal and professional hurdles she faced due to the lack of social interaction with students, colleagues, and friends. Her interview sheds light on the Winthrop experience amid the pandemic, especially as a faculty member.
Otha Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Ph.D. is a native of Burgaw, NC but now residents in Rock Hill, SC. She is an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies and serves as Program Coordinator for the African American Studies minor at Winthrop University. She holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in History from UNC-Chapel Hill, specializing in Women’s and Gender history, U.S. history, and African American studies. She is a former Faculty Advisor for the Council of Student Leaders at Winthrop. In 2023, Dr. Dixon-McKnight was awarded the Outstanding Junior Professor Award and the Student Affairs Faculty Student Life Award. Dr. Dixon-McKnight is the director of Project 2020.
Spearheaded by Dr. Dixon-McKnight, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Paige C. Woodham
Paige C. Woodham, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Healthcare Worker
OH 775
This interview was conducted by Jackson Branch with Paige C. Woodham as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Dr. Woodham shares her experiences as a medical professional amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the evolution of the medical field due to the pandemic, notably the lab environment. She also notes the overall challenges and triumphs that both healthcare workers and patients endured amid the pandemic. Notable topics of conversation include COVID-19 testing and protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical personnel shortages, and the pathology field.
Paige Cribb Woodham, MD, is a cytopathology specialist practicing in Charleston, S.C. Dr. Woodham earned her M.D. degree from The University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 2016 and completed her residency at the Medical University of South Carolina (M-USC).
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.).”
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Interview with Rebecca Baker
Rebecca Baker, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Education
OH 717
This interview was conducted by Stacy Steele with Rebecca “Becky” Baker as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Becky Baker (b.1984), a native of Sharon, SC, shares the challenges she faces as a parent with two young children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Baker also discusses the educational and social hurdles that her elementary-level children face in school, particularly virtual learning. Conducted during the height of the pandemic, this interview provides rich insight into the pandemic experience, especially in relation to education and parenting.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Assistant Professor of History and Director of African American studies, the oral history project is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Rod Ruth
Rod Ruth and Clover School District
OH 778
This interview was conducted by Kenya L. Lane with Rod Ruth as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Clover High School Principal Rod Ruth shares his experiences leading one of the state’s largest public schools amid the year 2020’s alarming rise in racial injustice. He discusses in detail the response of his school and school district to students and parents’ concerns regarding racism, especially in light of the unjust deaths of several African Americans across the nation that year. Ruth also talks about his efforts to understand the problems that African Americans students face. In doing so, he recounts participating in a march against racial injustice led by the members of the Roosevelt Community in Clover, SC. Notable topics of conversation include race, racism, diversity, education, leadership, Clover High School, and the Clover School District (CSD).
Rod Ruth served as the Principal of Clover High School from 2015 to 2023; he previously taught social studies education and served in several administrative capacities including as Assistant Principal of Oakridge Middle School (2012-14). In 2023, Ruth took on a new role as the CSD Chief Student Services and Secondary Education Officer. The same year, he was named the South Carolina Secondary Principal of the Year by the SCASA. Ruth holds a B.S. degree from Francis Marion University, a M.Ed. degree from USC-Columbia, and an Educational Specialist degree from Winthrop University.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.).”
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Interview with Terri B. Cowan
Terri B. Cowan, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Healthcare
OH 725
The interview was conducted by Jackson Branch with Terri Cowan as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Cowan discusses her experiences as a healthcare worker in a rural community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, notably as someone who conducted rapid COVID-19 test at a drive-thru testing clinic for nearly five months. Cowan also details the greater developments in the healthcare industry in response to the pandemic such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), patient-physician relations, telehealth, and the logistical evolutions in the field.
Terri B. Cowan, PA-C is a physician assistant in Bennettsville, SC. She has been in the medical field for nearly thirty years. Cowan completed her PA program (1993) at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."
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Interview with Eugene 'Gene' Driver
Julius Eugene Driver
Driver, Gene, 2018
In his January 24, 2018 interview with Emily Deinert, Gene Driver discusses his career in the Air Force – he served during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. During the Cold War, he was loaned out to the CIA and worked in Area 51 with an alias doing research with the spy planes. He discusses who else worked in Area 51 with him (he knows only aliases), and why they were chosen to work on this secret project. Driver then talks about when he was sent to Vietnam in 1967, and describes the mortar attacks on the air force base at which he was stationed and how he earned a bronze star with the “V” device.
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Interview with Robert and Geraldine Allen - OH 535
Robert Allen, Geraldine Allen, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 535
In their July 22, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Bob and Jerri Allen detailed their thoughts and memories of their time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to by locals as the “Bleachery.” Bob and Jerri spoke of the time of the 1940s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Race relations, day-to-day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, their work with Christian youth, and the decline of the Bleachery, their thoughts on the redevelopment of the Bleachery to the year 2017. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Jack Bolin - OH 536
Jack Bolin, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 536
In his July 22, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Jack Bolin detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Bolin spoke of the time of the 1950s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Race relations, the strike of 1956, day-to-day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, art the decline of the Bleachery. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with James Covington - OH 537
James Covington, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 537
In his July 10, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, James Covington detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Covington spoke of the time of the 1950s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Race relations, day-to-day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, the buyout of the Bleachery by Springs, the decline of the Bleachery. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with William Easley - OH 538
William Easley, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 538
In his July 7, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, William Bill Easley detailed his thoughts and memories of his time associated with the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Easley spoke of the time of the 1920s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Race relations, his father Joseph Easley Assistant Plant Manager of the Bleachery and his childhood around his father, day-to-day job responsibilities and actions when he began work for Springs, technology changes, the buyout of the Bleachery by Springs, the decline of the Bleachery, his work as a Springs employee, his thoughts on the redevelopment of the Bleachery site into University Center at Knowledge Park and his activities until 2017. Also Easley offered his opinions on how Rock Hill was impacted by the Bleachery from the 1930s to 2017.
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Interview with Michael Joslin Gordon - OH 539
Michael Joslin Gordon, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 539
In his May 18, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Michael Joslin Gordon detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Gordon spoke of the time of the 1960s through 2017 and on the following topics: Race relations, Archie Joslin, day-to-day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, the buyout of the Bleachery by Springs, the decline of the Bleachery, his work as a salesmen and businessman to the year 2017.
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Interview with Donald Hardin - OH 540
Donald Hardin, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 540
In his August 3, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Donald Hardin detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Hardin spoke of the time period of the 1960s through 2017 and on the follow topics: race relations, day to day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, worker attitudes, the decline of the Bleachery, family, his other occupations up until the year 2017. Hardin also offered his opinions on the Bleachery compared to other textile jobs.
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Interview with Earl Honeycutt - OH 541
Earl Honeycutt, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 541
In his May 26, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Earl Honeycutt detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Honeycutt spoke of the time period of 1955 through 1977 and on the follow topics: race relations, day to day job responsibilities and actions, union, worker attitudes, the decline of the Bleachery.
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Interview with Harvey Mayhill
Harvey Mayhill
Mayhill, Harvey, 2017
In his November 29, 2017 interview with Emily Deinert (nee Cranwell), Harvey Mayhill describes his time in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He shares why he enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, as well as what the basic training experience was like. He then discusses his time at various Air Force bases across the United States and what his responsibilities were as part of a Communications squadron. Mayhill also talks at length of how his Commander, Wayne Schrame, had invited Mayhill over for Thanksgiving the year Mayhill's mother died -- Mayhill points to this act of kindness as influencing the way Mayhill volunteers and serves those around him. He then describes some of the volunteer service he currently participates in.
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Interview with Donald Parrish - OH 542
Donald Parrish, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 542
In his May 20, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Donald Parrish detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Parrish spoke of the time period of the 1950s through 2017 and on the following topics: segregation, integration, race relations, plant management, day to day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, the buyout of the Bleachery by Springs, worker attitudes, interactions with co-workers, the decline of the Bleachery, family, and finally retirement to the year 2017. Parrish also offered his opinions on how Rock Hill was impacted by the Bleachery from the 1950s to 2017.
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Interview with Betty Jo Rhea
Elizabeth Josephine Dunlap Rhea, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 543
In her July 17, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Betty Jo Rhea detailed her thoughts and memories of her life growing up in Rock Hill and her involvement with the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Rhea spoke of the time period of the 1930s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Segregation, integration, race relations, her father’s medical practice, her time as mayor of Rock Hill, and her thoughts on both the decline of the Bleachery and the redevelopment of the site into University Center at Knowledge Park to the year 2017. Rhea also offered her opinions on how Rock Hill was impacted by the Bleachery from the 1930s to 2017.
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Interview with Thomas Roach III, Willie George Hall, and Donald Parrish - OH 544
Thomas Roach III, Willie George Hall, Donald Parrish, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 544
In this June 6, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Thomas Roach II, Willie George Hall and Donald Parrish detail their thoughts and memories of their time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to by locals as the “Bleachery.” They spoke at length about race relations at the Bleachery.
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Interview with Emile Russett - OH 545
Emile Russett, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 545
In this June 28, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Emile Russett detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Russett spoke of the time period of the 1970s through 2017 and on the follow topics: layoffs, day to day job responsibilities and actions including ways he tried to communicate with the workers, technology changes, worker attitudes, the decline of the Bleachery, involvement on the Bleachery Heritage Committee and the new changes with University Center.
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Interview with Leoda Starnes
Leoda Starnes, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 546
In her May 26, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Leoda Starnes detailed her thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Starnes spoke of the time period of the 1940s through 2017 and on the follow topics: race relations, day to day job responsibilities and actions, technology changes, worker attitudes, the decline of the Bleachery, family, her other occupations up until the year 2017. Zeiders also offered her opinions on the Bleachery compared to other textile jobs.
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Interview with Bob Thompson - OH 547
Bob Thompson, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company, Bleachery, and Alexander Keith Windham
OH 547
In his June 29, 2017 interview with Alex Windham, Bob Thompson detailed his thoughts and memories of his time at the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company referred to locals as the Bleachery. Thompson spoke of the time of the 1970s through 2017 and on the follow topics: Public relations, Springs buyout of the Bleachery, Springs perspective on the closing of the Bleachery, reasons for the decline of the textile industry and his ideas on the future of the Bleachery as University Center of Knowledge Park.