Winthrop University Oral History Program

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  Interview with Mark Y. Herring - OH 257

  Mark Y. Herring

  OH 257

  In this episode of WFAE 90.7 FM's "Charlotte Talks," host Mike Collins engages in a discussion with Dr. Mark Y. Herring, Dean of Dacus Library at Winthrop University from 1999 to 2020, and Bill Nelson, Director of Libraries at Augusta State University. The conversation explores the evolving role of university libraries amidst the rise of the internet, focusing on challenges such as increased plagiarism and students' prioritization of information speed over accuracy. Dr. Herring, known for his article "10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library," and his book Fool's Gold: Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library, provides insights into the indispensable value of traditional libraries in the digital age.

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  Interview with Mark Y. Herring - OH 608

  Mark Y. Herring

  OH 608

  This interview was conducted for the as part of the Winthrop History Project spearheaded by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to “document the 24-year path of the original Winthrop College to becoming Winthrop University.” This effort was to produce a history of the institution and Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure as president as a supplement to Dr. Ross Webb’s history of Winthrop (The Torch is Passed) that covered Winthrop history up to Dr. DiGiorgio becoming president. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the extended Winthrop community who participated in or helped guide the advancement of Winthrop over these years. That way, the Winthrop story will be told in an array of participants’ own words, own voices and from their own perspectives.

  This interview is with Dr. Mark Y. Herring. Dr. Herring was the Dean of the Library from 1999-2020. In this interview discusses his experiences working for Winthrop as well as his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.

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  Interview with Lura Hess - OH 372

  Lura Hess

  OH 372

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.

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  Interview with George Hicklin - OH 702

  George Hicklin and Emmett Scott High School

  OH 702

  This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with George Hicklin for his Emmett Scott History Project. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African Americans that was named after Emmett Scott a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. Emmett Scott High School opened in 1920 and closed in 1970 with full integration of the Rock Hill School District. Mr. Hicklin attended Emmett Scott from 1951-1955. In this interview Mr. Hicklin discusses his experiences at Emmett Scott and the impact it had on the black community. He also details his experience in the military shortly after graduating high school. Mr. Hicklin details his military career and how he feels that Emmett Scott prepared him for success in life. Mr. Hicklin joined the Navy during the Vietnam war rising in rank to Chief Petty Officer.

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  Interview with Thomas Nelson Hickman - OH 171

  Thomas Nelson Hickman

  OH 171

  In his February 27, 2015 interview with Jenna Kasmarik, Thomas Hickman shares his experiences complying with Title IX in the athletic department. Hickman lends his perspective on the pros and cons of Title IX and how the athletic department has changed since Title IX became law. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Thomas Nelson Hickman - OH 609

  Thomas Nelson Hickman

  OH 609

  This interview was conducted for the as part of the Winthrop History Project spearheaded by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to “document the 24-year path of the original Winthrop College to becoming Winthrop University.” This effort was to produce a history of the institution and Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure as president as a supplement to Dr. Ross Webb’s history of Winthrop (The Torch is Passed) that covered Winthrop history up to Dr. DiGiorgio becoming president. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the extended Winthrop community who participated in or helped guide the advancement of Winthrop over these years. That way, the Winthrop story will be told in an array of participants’ own words, own voices and from their own perspectives.

  This interview is with Thomas Nelson “Tom” Hickman. Tom came to Winthrop in 1989 as the Associate Athletic Director and served in this role until he became the Athletic Director in 1996. He retired in 2016. In this interview discusses his experiences working for Winthrop as well as his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.

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  Interview with Margaret Hill - OH 455

  Margaret Hill

  OH 455

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.

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  Interview with HIST-602 Class - OH 724

  HIST-602, Winthrop University, and COVID-19 Pandemic

  OH 724

  This interview was conducted by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, with graduate students in her fall 2020 course HIST602/603: History Colloquium I as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Dr. Dixon-McKnight and the seven interviewees reflect on their semester-long journey at the forefront of this oral history project—all eight served as interviewers during the fall of 2020. They discuss in detail their personal experiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical year of 2020 in general, particularly in terms of educational, professional, and social challenges. Other notable topics include racial tensions, COVID-19 guidelines, and the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.

  The interviewees (Jackson Branch ‘22, Sarah Edwards ‘20, Abby Hieber ‘20, Kenya Lane ‘21, Jessica Rochester ‘21, Stacy Steele ‘21, and Cedric Streater ‘20) are all M.A. History graduates who conducted oral history interviews for 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 James A. Hodge - OH 211

  James A. Hodge

  OH 211

  In his interview with Michael Cooke, James A Hodge discusses his life and experiences in rural South Carolina. He also details his time with and memories of the Progressive Democratic Party, integration, African American voter registration and various politicians from Mullins, South Carolina. Mr. Hodge discusses the influence he witnessed within the black community especially in regards to the voter registration efforts.

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  Interview with Anita Hoffman - OH 236

  Anita Hoffman

  OH 236

  In her November 1992 interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Anita Hoffman detailed her experiences in the 1960s and her time with her ex-husband, Abbie Hoffman. Hoffman, aside from speaking about her ex-husband, covered such topics as poverty, racism, the Weathermen (Weather Underground), the Black Panthers and the Black Power movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Women’s Liberation, and the Youth International Party. Hoffman also discussed sexism, mental illness, in reference to Abbie and her studies as a Psychology major, the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill hearings, and the technology revolution. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Betty Morgan Holcombe - OH 794

  Betty Morgan Holcombe

  OH 794

  This interview was conducted with Betty Jo Morgan Holcombe, Winthrop College Class of 1956, by Gina Price White, Director of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University. A native of Clemson, South Carolina, Mrs. Holcombe attended Winthrop from 1952-1956. The Milton W. and Betty Morgan Holcombe Alumni Center was named in her and her husband’s honor and Mrs. Holcombe was awarded the distinguished Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in 2025.

  In this interview, Mrs. Holcombe reflects on her time at Winthrop College beginning with why she chose Winthrop; her experiences with students, faculty, and staff; her Dining Room Scholarship; classes; roommates; and other experiences while a student.

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  Interview with John Holder - OH 655

  John Holder

  OH 655

  This interview was conducted for the as part of the 20^th Anniversary of the September 11^th Terrorist Attacks on the United States. This effort was to produce a history of the university’s, as well as the community’s, response in the days and weeks following the attacks. A key aspect of the project was a series of audio-taped interviews conducted with various members of the Rock Hill and Winthrop communities who felt their stories needed to be shared.

  This interview is of Dr. John Holder, Associate Professor of Political Science at Winthrop University. In his interview with Andrew Russell, Professor Joh Holder discusses his memories and experiences during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Professor Holder describes his experience during the attack and the response of the Winthrop and Rock Hill community.

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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 Dan Howechyn - OH 179

  Daniel Andrew Howechyn

  OH 179

  This interview was conducted with Daniel Andrew Howachyn (1950-2023) for an article to be written on blacksmiths. Mr. Howachyn discusses why he moved south, how he became interested in blacksmithing through first making horseshoes, and the art of blacksmithing. As well as, a little bit about his past before he got into blacksmithing, how he learned blacksmithing, getting inspiration and tips from other blacksmiths through magazines and the North American Blacksmith Association, how certain blacksmith techniques are done, and what he sees as the future of blacksmithing. Many years later he relocated to Black Mountain, NC and founded Black Mountain Iron Works.

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  Interview with Edith Huffman, Agnes Klein, Ethel Watkins and Edna Christian - OH 521

  Edith Huffman, Agnes Klein, Ethel Watkins, and Edna Christian

  OH 521

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.

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  Interview with Ericka Huggins - OH 248

  Ericka Huggins

  OH 248

  In her May 1994 interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Ericka Huggins discussed her part in the 1960s radical movements. Huggins described motivation for joining the BPP and her time as a member, her current work as an AIDS activist, and her work with prison inmates. Huggins covered several topics of the time, including Black Power, Huey Newton, separation movements, FBI involvement, the US Organization, and Charles Hamilton. She also discussed the Thomas-Hill hearings, COINTELPRO and its involvement, the NAACP, the Oakland Community Learning Center, her husband, AIDS and HIV, and her work at the Shanti Project. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Mary Beth Hughes - OH 799

  Mary Beth Hughes

  OH 799

  This interview was conducted by Chailyn Young-Haynes with Mary Beth Hughes for the Palmetto Report, a news service produced by students in the Mass Communication Department at Winthrop University. A member of the Class of 1974, Hughes reflects on her experiences as a student during a pivotal period in the university's history, graduating as part of the last class before Winthrop became fully coeducational. She discusses her upbringing in Columbia, South Carolina, her decision to attend Winthrop, and her academic and social experiences on campus. Hughes describes student life in the early 1970s, campus traditions, and the atmosphere surrounding the transition to coeducation, including changing student attitudes and campus culture. She also reflects on the lasting impact of her Winthrop education and the significance of attending university during a period of institutional change.

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  Interview with Gertrude Humphries - OH 453

  Gertrude Humphries

  OH 453

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.

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  Interview with Peggy Hunter - OH 275

  Peggy Hunter

  OH 275

  In her June 2013 interview with Martha Manning, Peggy Hunter detailed her thoughts and memories of her experience here at Winthrop. Hunter spoke of the time period 1968-1971 with an emphasis on the follow topics: Student teaching, Winthrop traditions, and college life from the perspective of a non-traditional college student. Hunter also discussed how Winthrop’s student teaching program had prepared her for a career in teaching. Hunter gives praise as she reminisce and reflect on how Winthrop has grown. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Rhoda Carter Hunter - OH 222

  Rhoda Carter Hunter

  OH 222

  IN PROCESSING

  This interview focuses on Winthrop from 1925-1930. Topics include dorm life, church, the Blue Line, uniforms, D. B. Johnson, the dining hall, swimming, Dr. Kinard, Greek letter clubs, favorite teachers and classes, weekend activities, dating, religion, admission of men and minorities, and Dr. DiGiorgio and changes he brought to Winthrop.

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  Interview with I. Hutchendorf - OH 399

  I. Hutchendorf

  OH 399

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.

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  Interview with Phyllis Thompson Hyatt and Elsie White Springs - OH 666

  Phyllis Thompson Hyatt, Elsie White Springs, Emmett Scott High School, Civil Rights, and Friendship College

  OH 666

  This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Phyllis Thompson Hyatt, and Elsie White Springs for his history project on Emmett Scott High School. The school was the segregated high school for African Americans in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It was named for Emmett Scott, a former aid to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. Emmett Scott High School was opened in 1920 and later closed in 1970 with the full integration of the Rock Hill School District. Mrs. Hyatt and Mrs. Springs are alumni of Emmett Scott High School and graduated in 1960. They also attended Friendship College and were part of the sit-in movement in Rock Hill. They discuss their experiences at Emmett Scott and Rock Hill as a whole. They detail their experiences during the sit-ins as well as the surrounding circumstances that lead to the movement. Mrs. Springs and Mrs. Hyatt were protesting along with the Friendship Nine and discuss the events that led to the Nine going to jail.

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  Interview with Irene Y. Wong - OH 774

  Irene Y. Wong, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Sun City Carolina Lakes

  OH 774

  This interview was conducted by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight with Irene Y. Wong as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Ms. Wong shares her experiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic and critical year 2020, particularly as a retired Asian American and Sun City resident. She discusses the collaborative work of her neighborhood at the onset of the pandemic, notably their efforts to make face masks and to increase technological literacy—e.g. online grocery shopping. She also shares her journey of grief after the loss of her husband and other loved ones during this period of social isolation. Other notable topics of conversation include vaccination, race, social unrest, and the 2020 political climate.

  Irene Y. Wong (b. 1950) is a native of Hong Kong and former business professional living in Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, SC. At the age of seven, she immigrated to the United States as a refugee and resettled in the Washington, D.C. area. She later attended university in Massachusetts and worked for many years in both New England and the Southeast. Following retirement, Ms. Wong moved to Sun City.

  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 Julia Mobley Irwin - OH 023

  Julia Mobley Irwin

  OH 023

  In her November 9, 1976 interview with Sally Tyler, Julia Mobley Irwin details her life as a day student in the early 1900s. Irwin recalls her favorite classes, describes uniforms, insists that there was never a swimming pool at Winthrop, and relates the traditions of graduation week. Irwin also shares Benjamin Tillman's message to students at her 1904 graduation ceremony. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Ruth Irwin - OH 462

  Ruth Irwin

  OH 462

  IN PROCESSING

  Interviews with extension members and agents throughout the country documenting the history and development of the extension movement in the U.S. The interviews describe homemaking, child bearing and family management in the small towns and rural areas where they live. They also discuss the role of extension homemakers groups in their lives.