Winthrop University 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 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.

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  Interview with Samuel William Searles - VHP 057

  Samuel William Searles

  VHP 057

  In his November 1, 2005 interview with Ebony Williams, Samuel William Searles recalls being drafted for the army during WWII. Searles explains his job during war and how he and fellow soldiers celebrated the end of the war. Searles also shares his memories of more of the harrowing experiences of war: segregation, death, and the mental effects of war. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Cleveland Sellers - OH 237

  Cleveland Sellers

  OH 237

  IN PROCESSING

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  Interview with Etta Sue Sellers - OH 495

  Etta Sue Sellers

  OH 495

  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 Semeka Randall Lay - OH 758

  Semeka Randall Lay, Winthrop University, Women's Basketball, and COVID-19 Pandemic

  OH 758

  This interview was conducted by Olivia “Liv” Paxon with Semeka Randall Lay as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Coach Randall Lay discusses her upbringing, collegiate years, and later professional career as a WNBA basketball player and NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach. She details her journey as part of Winthrop University’s women’s basketball coaching team (2019-present), notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares her experiences as a Black athlete, coach, and woman. Notable topics of conversation include women’s basketball, Winthrop athletics, racial and gender disparities, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Semeka Chantay Randall-Lay (b. 1979), a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is the head coach of Winthrop University’s women’s basketball team, a position she took on in 2021. She is also a former collegiate and professional basketball player. Coach Randall Lay previously served as associate (2019-2020) and interim head coach (2020-2021) for the women’s basketball team at Winthrop.

  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 Shacara Taylor - OH 768

  Shacara Taylor, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Black Women

  OH 768

  This interview was conducted by Autumn Jackson with Shacara Taylor as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Taylor discusses her experiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a Black woman, mother, and educator. She details the challenges she faced as a teacher in terms of the evolution of the classroom experience (virtual learning, COVID-19 protocols, etc.). She also shares her pregnancy experience during the pandemic and difficulties she later confronted trying to balance motherhood and teaching. Other notable topics of conversation include mental health, financial security, marriage, and parenting.

  Shacara Janai Hanna Taylor (b. 1995) is a native of Lake City, SC and is a secondary English teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Francis Marion University in 2017. The same year, she began teaching English at Dillon High School in Dillon, SC.

  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 Shaniya Simmons - OH 762

  Shaniya Simmons, Black Women, and Social Justice

  OH 762

  This interview was conducted by Delmarie Wilson with Shaniya Simmons as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. In the interview, Simmons shares her experiences as a Black woman navigating 21st-century American society, notably in the context of the year 2020. She particularly recounts her participation in social justice protests during the summer of 2020. Notable topics of conversations identity, gender inequality, race, racism, social activism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

  Shaniya Simmons (b.2000) is a native of Atlanta, GA and, at the time of the interview, was a college student at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.

  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 Shauntoria Currence - OH 727

  Shauntoria Currence, Black Women, and Small Businesses

  OH 727

  This interview was conducted by Winthrop student Kaniya Simpson with Shauntoria Currence as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History, with specific emphasis on Black women in business. Currence discusses her experiences as a Black, female business owner balancing her many roles as an accountant, mother, wife, and community member. She sheds light on the importance of providing livable wages to her workers, especially in the local African American community.

  Shauntoria Currence, a Rock Hill native, studied Psychology at USC-Upstate and Entrepreneurship at York Technical College. She owns and operates New Generation Installation and Repair, LLC (formerly New Generation Electrical Contractors) in Rock Hill, SC. The company specializes in residential and commercial electrical contracting as well as installation services.

  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 Lloyd Braxton "Bud" Shaw and Ruby Shaw Moore - OH 267

  Lloyd Braxton Shaw and Ruby Shaw Moore

  OH 267

  This interview discusses the Shaw family and interviews both Lloyd Braxton “Bud” Shaw (1913-1993) and Ruby Ellena Shaw Moore (b. 1910). Bud and Ruby Shaw were born in Pineville, North Carolina and later moved with family to the upstate of South Carolina. Bud and Ruby discuss their parents (Thomas Palmer Shaw and Lois L. Little Shaw) and grandparents, where they lived and how they moved around a lot during their childhood, what their parents did for hobbies and for work, and their family bible. They also share different memories from their childhood.

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  Interview with Celesta Wine Shippey - OH 086

  Celesta Wine Shippey

  OH 086

  IN PROCESSING

  Professor of English at Winthrop (1941-1965). Subjects include the biographical and family background of Mrs. Shippey, her views on the educational system in the U.S. and Brussells, where she lived until 1914, the Brethren Church, her teaching experience at Oak Park Junior College, Winthrop College, Pakistan and the AAUP censorship of Winthrop College. She also discusses her travels around the world, particularly China and Russia.

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  Interview with Jason H. Silverman - OH 291

  Jason H. Silverman

  OH 291

  In his July 30, 2015 interview with Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard, Jason Silverman details his career at Winthrop since 1984. Silverman recalls the administrations of President Lader, Piper, DiGiorgio, and Comstock. In particular, Silverman recounts the events leading up to the vote of no confidence in 1995, his involvement as chair of faculty conference, and what happened on campus after the motion failed to pass. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

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  Interview with Modjeska Monteith Simkins - OH 646

  Modjeska Monteith Simkins

  OH 646

  This interview was conducted with Modejeska Monteith Simkins (1899-1992) who was a Civil Rights leader in South Carolina and an advocate of public and social reform. In this interview, Simkins discusses her background, upbringing, and her education. She also discusses black politics in the South. The NAACP, the fight for blacks to vote, and the Civil Rights Movement.