The Oral History Program's mission is to record unique life histories, documenting historical events and memories of our time by preserving and adding these voices to the historical record. The Pettus Archives have been collecting and preserving stories, personal accounts, and recollections through recorded interviews as part of the Oral History Program since 1973. The Archives holds more than 800 interviews in audio, video and text formats, on a wide variety of subjects, including life at Winthrop, Rock Hill, SC and the Catawba Region and people, mill life and workers, American Wars and conflicts, Veteran History Project, women in politics and society, African American, and many other topics.
Disclaimer: The content of oral history interviews are personal and interpretive in nature, relying on memories, experiences, perceptions, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy, views, or official history of Winthrop University and the University makes no assertions about the veracity of statements made by individuals participating in the Oral History Program.
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Interview with Cynthia Plair Roddey - OH 642
Cynthia Plair Roddey and Integration
OH 642
This oral history interview, conducted by James Mackey, documents the experiences of Cynthia Plair Roddey, the first African American student admitted to Winthrop College. Roddey recounts her early life and education, including her attendance at Immanuel Lutheran High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, and her undergraduate studies at Johnson C. Smith University.
Roddey describes her admission to Winthrop in 1964 as largely unplanned, occurring after she applied by postcard upon learning that the institution had recently desegregated following broader legal challenges such as those involving Harvey Gantt. She emphasizes the relatively quiet and non-public nature of her enrollment, which contrasted with more widely publicized integration efforts across the South.
The interview explores Roddey’s experiences as the sole Black student during her initial term, highlighting her social isolation, limited participation in campus life due to her status as a married, off-campus graduate student, and the absence of overt hostility alongside subtle forms of exclusion. She reflects on her academic work, noting one instance of perceived grading inequity, while otherwise describing a supportive faculty and administration that took measures to ensure her safety.
Roddey also discusses the broader context of segregation and desegregation in education, including disparities in resources, barriers to professional advancement, and her eventual career in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system following her completion of a Master of Arts in Teaching in Library Science and English. She situates her experience within the larger Civil Rights Movement, referencing student activism and sit-ins during her time at Johnson C. Smith University, while expressing a personal preference for education as the most effective means of advancement.
Throughout the interview, Roddey underscores the importance of preparation, community support, and adaptability, advocating for a holistic approach to education that includes academic, social, political, and spiritual development. Her testimony provides insight into the complexities of early desegregation in higher education and the lived experience of navigating institutional change as an individual pioneer.
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Interview with Cynthia Plair Roddey - OH 643
Cynthia Plair Roddey and Integration
OH 643
This oral history interview, conducted by Paul Finkelstein on September 4, 1994, documents the life and experiences of Cynthia Plair Roddey, the first African American graduate student admitted to Winthrop College. Roddey reflects on her upbringing in an education-centered family, her early exposure to cultural and intellectual experiences, and the influential role of mentors and community in shaping her values.
The interview details her educational journey through segregated and integrated institutions, including her preparation at historically Black schools and her subsequent enrollment at Winthrop from 1964 to 1967, where she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in Library Science. Roddey discusses the circumstances of her admission during the early desegregation era, noting the relatively quiet process and her limited social integration on campus despite the absence of overt hostility.
Roddey offers insight into her academic experiences, contrasting pedagogical approaches between institutions, and reflects on her professional career as an educator and media coordinator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, community support, and high educational expectations, while also addressing broader issues of race, educational inequality, and the challenges facing African American students in integrated settings.
Throughout the interview, Roddey underscores themes of resilience, community responsibility, and the lasting impact of education, concluding with reflections on her evolving relationship with Winthrop and her hopes for future generations.
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Interview with Cynthia Plair Roddey - OH 644
Cynthia Plair Roddey and Integration
OH 644
This interview, conducted by Robert Ryals on September 12, 2012, for the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program, documents Dr. Cynthia Plair Roddey’s reflections on her historic enrollment and experiences as the first African American student and graduate of Winthrop College (1964–1967). Drawing in part from a prepared narrative, Roddey recounts the circumstances that led her to apply to Winthrop, including professional aspirations, family responsibilities, and the broader context of desegregation in South Carolina following legal challenges to segregated higher education.
Roddey describes the social, institutional, and personal challenges she encountered as a pioneering student, including community reactions ranging from support and protection within her neighborhood to criticism from both white and Black communities. She discusses instances of racial bias in the classroom, the isolation she experienced among peers, and the support she received from select faculty and staff. The interview also addresses the broader climate of the Civil Rights Movement, the risks associated with integration, and the long-term emotional and psychological impact of being “the first.”
In addition to recounting her time at Winthrop, Roddey reflects on her subsequent career in education, particularly within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system during desegregation, and offers commentary on changes in educational practices, race relations, and social structures over time. She shares insights on contemporary issues including politics, diversity, immigration, and the evolving concept of the American Dream, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, mutual respect, and inclusive perspectives. The interview further explores her views on family, heritage, and identity, highlighting the complexities of racial and cultural backgrounds in the American South.
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Interview with Rev. Osbey Roddey - OH 705
Osbey Roddey and Emmett Scott High School
OH 705
This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Rev. Osbey Roddey for Dr. Garrison’s project on the History of Emmett Scott High School. Emmett Scott was the segregated high school for African-Americans, which was named after Emmett Scott, a former aide to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school opened in 1920 and closed in 1970 when full integration was implemented in Rock Hill, SC schools. Rev. Roddey is a former Rock Hill City Councilman for 24 years and is a retired educator and pastor at Langrum Baptist Church. In this interview, Rev. Roddy discusses Emmett Scott and race relations in Rock Hill, SC.
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Interview with Rod Ruth - OH 778
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 Raymond Roeske - VHP 026
Raymond Roeske
VHP 026
In his November 25, 2003 interview with Ray Nielson, Raymond Roeske details his training in the Army Air Corps and his missions overseas during WWII. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with William Rogers - OH 625
William Rogers
OH 625
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to document the university’s transformation from Winthrop College to Winthrop University during Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year presidency. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure, this project aims to provide a comprehensive account of this pivotal period in the institution’s development.
A key component of the project is a collection of oral history interviews with members of the Winthrop community, including faculty, staff, alumni, and others who contributed to or witnessed the university’s growth. These firsthand accounts offer valuable insights into Winthrop’s evolution, presented in the voices and perspectives of those who experienced it.
Dr. William Rogers joined Winthrop University in 1989 and has served as a Professor of Biology for over three decades. Recognized for his contributions to academics and university service, Dr. Rogers was named Winthrop’s Distinguished Professor in 2002 and served as a faculty marshal from 2005 to 2010.
In this interview, Dr. Rogers reflects on his experiences as a faculty member, shares his impressions of Winthrop’s academic and institutional changes, and discusses his professional interactions with Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio during his presidency.
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Interview with Theodore Rosengarten - OH 268
Theodore Rosengarten
OH 268
IN PROCESSING
An author from Charleston, South Carolina, Rosengarten discusses himself and his books.
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Interview with Caroline Mayo Roueche - OH 035
Caroline Mayo Roueche
OH 035
IN PROCESSING
Ms. Roueche describes her experiences teaching in integrated schools, and experiences first as a high school student at the Winthrop Training School and then as a college student at Winthrop. Also discusses her grandmother and parents, her education, change of women’s roles, drugs, dating trends, and race relations.
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Interview with Jerry Rubin - OH 229
Jerry Rubin
OH 229
In his interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Jerry Rubin discussed his time as a ‘60s radical and how those experiences aided in his career. Rubin covered topic of multilevel marketing, entrepreneurship, networking, Yuppies, protests, self-reliance, and journalism. He also discussed other activists such as Abbie Hoffman, Paul Krassner, and Anita Hoffman, along with CIA conspiracies, Hippies and Diggers, Groucho Marx, and the counterculture. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Sarah Ruch - OH 626
Sarah Ruch
OH 626
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 Sarah Ruch. Sarah Ruch worked for Epicure and later Aramark Food Contractors as a caterer and then Director of Catering at Winthrop since 1989. In this interview she discusses her experiences and impressions working at Winthrop and his interactions with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Andrew Russell - OH 802
Andrew Russell
OH 802
This interview was conducted by Baylee Hughes with Andrew “Drew” Russell for her “Being LGBTQIA+ at Winthrop” oral history project. The project documents the voices and experiences of historically marginalized LGBTQIA+ students, former students, and employees of Winthrop University. Russell discusses his experiences as an openly gay student at Winthrop, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2018 and a Master of Arts in History in 2020. He describes his involvement with Global, Winthrop’s LGBTQ+ student organization, and his desire to find a supportive community where he could interact openly with other LGBTQ+ students. He also discusses his involvement with Student Veterans at Winthrop and the differing levels of comfort he experienced discussing his sexual orientation within LGBTQ+ and military-related settings.
Russell describes the History Department as a safe and supportive environment and also discusses positive experiences with faculty in the Political Science Department. He reflects on his perceptions of LGBTQ+ inclusivity at Winthrop, including the university’s Safe Zone initiatives and campus programs supporting LGBTQ+ students and employees. He also discusses areas where he believes greater awareness and inclusivity are needed. Russell describes how his experiences as a gay student influenced his academic interests, particularly after recognizing the limited representation of LGBTQ+ history in historical scholarship. He discusses his master’s thesis on the history of homosexuality and Christianity and his interest in researching and preserving LGBTQ+ histories. The interview also addresses Russell’s experiences coming out, family reactions to his sexual orientation, his experiences living as an openly gay man in Rock Hill, and his perceptions of changing attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people.
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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 Rustica L. Hohn - OH 738
Rustica L. Hohn, Winthrop University, and COVID-19 Pandemic
OH 738
This interview was conducted by William Calandro with Rustica L. Hohn as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Hohn details her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical year 2020. She discusses in depth the fragile state of the hospitality industry amid the pandemic, often noting the challenges she faced as a restaurant worker. Hohn later discusses working for the non-profit organization DREAM in 2020, notably her time filming advertisements for small businesses in Summerville, S.C. Hohn also shares her interests in social media (TikTok, podcasts, etc.) as well as the hobbies she picked up during the pandemic. Other notable topics of conversation include education, social injustice, political division, and the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.
Rustica Lynn Hohn (b. 1994) is a native of Summerville, SC who is earning her M.A. in Teaching degree with a concentration in Social Studies at Winthrop University. She previously studied Mass Communications as an undergraduate student.
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 Betty Sakata - OH 406
Betty Sakata
OH 406
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 Alice Hayden Salo - OH 037
Alice Hayden Salo
OH 037
Professor of Dance in the Physical Education Department at Winthrop (1937-1944 and 1948-1973), Ms. Salo describes her childhood and education in Florida, her interests, philosophy and creativity regarding modern dance and its development, her career teaching tennis, swimming and dance at Winthrop and her attendance at the Demonstration School.
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Interview with Sam Gaertner - OH 733
Sam Gaertner, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Sun City Carolina Lakes
OH 733
This interview was conducted by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight with Sam Gaertner as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Gaertner reflects on his personal experiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as a resident of the Sun City Carolina Lakes Community in Indian Land, SC. He discusses in detail the evolution of everyday life following social isolation and the sudden turn to a digitized world (Zoom, online shopping, etc.). Other notable topics of conversation include social unrest and the politicization of the pandemic in terms of vaccination, face masks, and COVID-19 guidelines.
Sam Gaertner, Ph.D. (b. 1942), a native of Brooklyn, New York, is a retired social psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He now resides in Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, SC. He moved to the Community in the mid-2010s following retirement.
Spearheaded by Dr. 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 Sarah Willette Padgett Satterwhite - OH 004
Sarah Willette Padgett Satterwhite
OH 004
IN PROCESSING
Ms. Satterwhite received a B. A. degree in 1945 and discusses student life during the 1940s. Subjects discussed include dorm life, World War II, the AFROTC (Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp), rules and regulations, uniforms, fire drills, food, clubs, classes, cheating, recreation, the Blue Line, dating, President Phelps, Henry Sims, and the teacher training school.
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Interview with William Saunders - OH 200
William Saunders and Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
OH 200
This collection consists of an interview with William Saunders (1935- ), the executive director of Committee on Better Racial Assurance (COBRA). In this interview, Saunders discusses his early life, his experience in the Army, life on Johns Island, the Progressive Club, the Gullah language spoken on Johns Island, his introduction to sickle cell disease, media coverage, the origin of the COBRA organization in 1970, the hospital workers’ strike in Charleston in 1969, police brutality and excessive sentencing towards Black men, the sickle cell program within COBRA, unethical sickle cell testing on Johns Island, other contributors to the formation of the COBRA sickle cell program, the educational process surrounding sickle cell, the unique features of COBRA, and the objectives of the COBRA sickle cell program.
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Interview with James H. Scales - OH 055
James H. Scales
OH 055
IN PROCESSING
A discussion of Scales life and work as a secret service agent for President Harry S. Truman. This interview focuses on Mr. Scales’ life in Tennessee in the early 1900s followed by his duty with the Secret Service.
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Interview with Gerald Eugene Schapiro - OH 627
Gerald Eugene Schapiro
OH - 627
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters to document the university’s transformation from Winthrop College to Winthrop University during Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year presidency. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s tenure, this project aims to provide a comprehensive account of this pivotal period in the institution’s development.
A key component of the project is a collection of oral history interviews with members of the Winthrop community, including faculty, staff, alumni, and others who contributed to or witnessed the university’s growth. These firsthand accounts offer valuable insights into Winthrop’s evolution, presented in the voices and perspectives of those who experienced it.
This interview is with Gerald Eugene "Gerry" Schapiro, who served the City of Rock Hill in multiple roles from 1970 to 2016. Beginning as a City Planner, he advanced to Assistant City Manager and also held positions as Director of Finance and CFO. Post-retirement, he continued contributing as a part-time Project Manager in Parks and Recreation. In this discussion, Gerry reflects on his experiences at Winthrop and his interactions with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Masa Scheerer - OH 515
Masa Scheerer
OH 515
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 Neva Schlatter - OH 440
Neva Schlatter
OH 440
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 Walter Schrader - OH 256
Walter Herman Schrader, Coeducation, and Winthrop University
OH 256
This interview was conducted with Walter Herman Schrader (1912-2005) who was the first male to be awarded a degree by Winthrop in 1969. Winthrop’s charter stipulated that only females could receive a degree from Winthrop, so although men have attended classes (mostly evening and summer classes) since as early as 1898, men would have to transfer to other institutions to receive a degree. Winthrop had been making efforts to move towards coeducation when Walter Schrader sued to get his degree and helped expedite the process of Winthrop becoming a fully coeducational institution in 1974. In this interview, Walter discusses his background and his early academic career. He spends most of the interview discussing the process he took to receive his degree from Winthrop and the reception he received as a result. He offers his opinion on Winthrop and what he envisions for the future of the college.
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Interview with Annie M. Scoville - OH 223
Annie M. Scoville
OH 223
IN PROCESSING
Ms. Scoville discusses classes at Winthrop, basketball, teacher training, career as a teacher, marriage, restrictions, uniforms, daily routines, pranks, homesickness, clubs, swimming, sports, entertainment, library, professors and Christmas at Winthrop.