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Interview with Dalton B. Floyd, Jr. - OH 597
Dalton Buford Floyd Jr.
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 Dalton B. Floyd, Jr. who was a longtime member of the Winthrop Board of Trustees. He served on the board for many years and was also Chairman of the Winthrop Board of Trustees for a number of years. He also served on the Commission on Higher Education and as Chairman of the Commission before he served on Winthrop’s Board. In this interview he discusses his involvement with Winthrop with a focus on his relationship working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Cheryl Fortner - OH 598
Cheryl Ann Fortner
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. Cheryl Ann Fortner. Dr. Fortner came to Winthrop in 1998 and is a Professor of Psychology. Fortner received Winthrop's Kinard Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017). College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Advising Award (2005), and multiple awards for service. Her campus service includes serving as the Chair of Faculty Conference (2007-09), Chair of the College Faculty Assembly (2003-04), and Chair of the Psychology Department's Curriculum and Assessment Committee. However, she is most proud of her involvement in Winthrop's numerous successful bids for U.S. Department of Education TRiO Achievers Program and Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate grants which provide life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged students. In addition to her role in Psychology, Dr. Fortner is the Director of the Winthrop McNair Scholars Program which is housed in University College. In this interview she discusses her involvement with Winthrop with an emphasis on her working relationship with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Samuel Foster, Sr. - OH 599
Samuel Rufus Foster Sr.
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 Samuel Rufus Foster, Sr. (b. 1938) who was a member of the Winthrop Board of Trustees. Mr. Foster was a Chester, SC native but has lived in Rock Hill, since 1958. He worked in public education before serving in the South Carolina General Assembly from 1980-1992. He also served on the South Carolina Employment Commission. Mr. Foster served as principal of Fairfield and Sunset Park Elementary before being appointed principal of the segregated Emmett Scott High School in 1968 where he oversaw the closing of Emmett Scott as Rock Hill Schools became fully integrated. He then became the first principal of Northwestern High School in 1971. For all his work as a “Local Hero”, Mr. Foster was recognized by the Rock Hill Freedom Walkway as an inductee in 2021. In this interview, Mr. Foster focuses on his involvement with the Winthrop Board of Trustees and his working relationship with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Richard B. Fowler - OH 600
Richard Bradley Fowler Jr.
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Richard Bradley “Rich” Fowler, Jr., a 2006 graduate of Winthrop University. During his time at Winthrop from 2002 to 2006, Fowler served as Chair of the Council of Student Leaders, acting as the student representative to the Board of Trustees during the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 academic years. He was honored with a "Resolution for Meritorious Service" by Winthrop University in 2005 (winthrop.edu) .He was also President of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. In this discussion, Fowler reflects on his experiences as a student leader and his interactions with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, providing insights into the university's growth and development during that period.
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Interview with Lee C. Gardner, Jr. - OH 601
Lee C. Gardner Jr.
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 Lee C. Gardner, Jr. Lee is the CEO of Family Trust Credit Union. He moved to Rock Hill, SC in 1979 and beginning in the mid-1990s began a working relationship President DiGiorgio in an attempt discuss the future of the Textile Corridor in Rock Hill and how best for it to develop so that it could benefit Winthrop and the community. Lee later served on the Advisory Board that oversaw the Textile Corridor development. He also served on Winthrop’s Foundation Board and Real Estate Foundation, while he also met frequently with the Winthrop Business Department as well. In this interview he discusses his involvement with the Textile Corridor development, his roles with Winthrop and his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Debbie Garrick - OH 602
Debra Anne Garrick
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. Debra Anne “Debbie” Garrick. Debbie is a Winthrop graduate (Class of 1987 and 1989) who attended Winthrop from 1983-1989 while she completed her Bachelors and Master’s degrees. She then worked as a temp in the Career Services Department for a time until she was hired fulltime in 1996 in the Career Services Department. After roughly nine years she began working in the Alumni Relations Office and served nine years as the Director of Alumni Services and later becoming Associate Vice President of University Advancement. In all she worked at Winthrop from 1996 through 2014 when she left to become the AMI Administrator for the City of Rock Hill. In this interview she discusses her student years at Winthrop, her Winthrop career in her various roles, and her experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Harriet and Martin Goode - OH 232
Harriet Goode and Martin Goode
In their April 15, 2015 interview with Rebecca Masters, Harriet and Martin Goode shares stories of their time at Winthrop and relationship with Anthony DiGiorgio. In particular, Harriet Goode details her time at the Winthrop Training School and her work as an artist in Rock Hill. Harriet and Martin rate the Presidents they had contact with and conclude the interview discussing their hopes for Winthrop’s eleventh President. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Bob Gorman - OH 169
Robert M. Gorman
In his August 20, 2015 interview with Michelle Dubert-Bellrichard, Bob Gorman describes his career at Winthrop from 1986-2014, and his involvement in the Vote of No Confidence in 1995. Gorman compares the Winthrop of 1986 to the Winthrop of today and recounts the history of Presidents from 1986 to the present. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with James Hammond - OH 604
James Thomas Stevenson Hammond
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 James Thomas Stevenson Hammond. James worked at Winthrop from 1994 until he retired as Associate Vice President of Information Technology and Assistant Professor of Computer Science in December 2014. He then became Director of Information Technology for the Carolina Panthers. In this interview he discusses his involvement with Winthrop University in his various roles, as well as his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Wes Hayes - OH 231
Robert Wesley Hayes Jr.
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 Robert Wesley “Wes” Hayes, Jr. Wes Hayes grew up in Rock Hill near Winthrop and attended the Winthrop Training School through the sixth grade. At the time he attended the Training School it only went through the sixth grade. His sister, however was part of the last graduating class at the school in 1964. Wes was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1985 and served until 19991. He then served as a State Senator from 1991 until 2016. Senator Hayes also operates the Hayes & Hayes, LLC. In this interview Senator Hayes discusses his experiences growing up in rock Hill and near Winthrop as well as attending the Winthrop Training School. He also his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Debra M. Heintz - OH 607
Debra M. Heintz
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 Debra M. Heintz. Debra is a Winthrop Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Class of 1999. She attended Winthrop as a non-traditional student from 1996-1999. She later became Executive Director of the Arts Council of York County and had a longstanding working relationship with Winthrop’s Fine Arts Department. In this interview she discusses her experiences as a Winthrop graduate and her working relationship with Winthrop as well as her experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with James W. Johnston - OH 610
James W. Johnston
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.
In his March 24, 2015 interview with Rebecca Masters, Jim Johnston details his time at Winthrop from 1983-2011 as a faculty filling several roles. Dr. Johnston discusses his experiences working for Winthrop as well as his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio. Also he reveals the evolution of the sciences at Winthrop, his election as Chair of Faculty Conference and growth of athletics at Winthrop. In particular, Johnston recalls a mid-1990s vote of no confidence in the president and how Winthrop faculty responded.
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Interview with Gloria G. Jones - OH 611
Gloria G. Jones
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. Gloria G. Jones. Dr. Jones came to Winthrop as a part-time lecturer in English in 1984. She then became a fulltime professor and during her tenure at Winthrop was the Director of the Writing Center, Director of Writing, Chair of the English Department, and Dean of University College in which role she retired in July 2020. In this interview she discusses her experiences working for Winthrop as well as his experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Kyle Kallander - OH 613
Kyle B. Kallander
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Kyle B. Kallander, who served as the third Commissioner of the Big South Conference from June 24, 1996, until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2022–2023 academic year. During his 27-year tenure, Kallander oversaw significant growth in marketing, television, and digital presence, as well as notable athletic and academic achievements within the conference. In this discussion, Kallander reflects on his experiences collaborating with Winthrop University and his interactions with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, providing insights into the university's role and development within the Big South Conference during that period.
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Interview with Manning Kimmel - OH 221
Manning Marius Kimmel
In his March 10, 2015 interview with Rebecca Masters, Manning Kimmel reflects on the DiGiorgio Administration. Kimmel recounts DiGiorgio’s efforts to grow Winthrop and create a bridge between the University and Rock Hill. Throughout the interview, Kimmel summarizes the general consensus of the Rock Hill community in recent key events at Winthrop. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.
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Interview with Mary Anne DuBose Douglas Lake - OH 615
Mary Anne DuBose Douglas Lake
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 Mary Anne DuBose Douglas Lake. Mary was a 1955 graduate of Winthrop with a degree in music. Her mother was also a Winthrop graduate from about 1928. Mary served on the Winthrop Alumni Board and then the Winthrop Board of Trustees from 1988 through 2000. In this interview she discusses her experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Gayle and Joe Lanford - OH 254
Gayle Campbell Lanford and Joe Lanford
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 Gayle and Joe Lanford. Gayle Campbell Lanford (1940-2017) attended Winthrop from 1958 through 1961 and graduated in 1962 with a degree in English and a minor in French. She returned to Winthrop and received a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1972. Joe Lanford was the City Planner of Rock Hill, SC and City Manager for a large portion of President DiGiorgio’s tenure. In this interview Gayle discusses her experiences attending Winthrop and Joe discusses is experiences and impressions working with Winthrop President, Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio as Rock Hill Manager.
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Interview with Glenda Pittman Owens - OH 620
Glenda Pittman Owens
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Glenda Pittman Owens, a 1959 Winthrop graduate. Owens dedicated many years of service to the university in various leadership roles, including:
- Board Member of the Alumni Association (1991–1997)
- President of the Alumni Association (1997–1999)
- Member of the Winthrop Foundation Board
- Steering Committee Member for Winthrop’s Capital Campaign
- Trustee on the Winthrop Board of Trustees (2000–2009)
In recognition of her and her husband, Charles Jerry Owens’ contributions, Owens Hall on campus bears their name. In this interview, she reflects on her undergraduate experience at Winthrop, her extensive service to the university, and her working relationship with President DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Richard W. "Dick" Riley and Terry K. Peterson - OH 624
Richard Wilson Riley and Terry K. Peterson
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
This interview features Richard W. “Dick” Riley (b. 1933) and Terry K. Peterson, both of whom played significant roles in shaping education policy at the state and national levels.
- Dick Riley served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (1963–1966) and the South Carolina State Senate (1967–1977) before being elected the 111th Governor of South Carolina, serving from 1979 to 1987. He later became the U.S. Secretary of Education under President Bill Clinton (1993–2001), where he was a leading advocate for education reform. In recognition of his contributions to education, Winthrop’s College of Education bears his name.
- Terry K. Peterson has been a key advisor to Riley since his tenure as governor. He served as Riley’s education adviser during his governorship (1979–1987) and later as special assistant for higher education policy at Winthrop University (1987–1993). Peterson continued his work alongside Riley at the national level, shaping education initiatives during Riley’s tenure as U.S. Secretary of Education.
In this interview, Riley and Peterson reflect on their experiences working with Winthrop University and share their insights on higher education policy. They also discuss their impressions of and collaborations with President DiGiorgio throughout their careers.
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Interview with Jason H. Silverman - OH 291
Jason H. Silverman
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 Robert L. Thompson - OH 630
Robert L. Thompson
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Robert L. “Bob” Thompson, who played a significant role in Winthrop’s governance. Thompson was a member of the Board of Visitors in the mid-1980s and later served as President of the Winthrop Foundation Board. In 1992, he was appointed to Winthrop’s Board of Trustees, serving two terms from 1992–2005 and 2008–2014. In this conversation, he reflects on his experiences and insights from working with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio.
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Interview with Betty Kay Triplett - OH 631
Betty Kay Triplett
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Betty Kay Triplett, who served as Administrative Assistant to the President and later as Administrative Coordinator to the President from 1998 until her retirement in 2015. In this discussion, she reflects on her experiences working with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and offers insight into her time at Winthrop.
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Interview with Stephen Turner - OH 632
Stephen Turner
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features Stephen Turner, who served as Executive Director of the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation and Director of Economic and Urban Development for the City of Rock Hill. Turner played a vital role in Rock Hill’s economic growth, serving the city in various capacities from 1984 to 1996 and from 2000 until his retirement in 2020. In his role, he collaborated with Winthrop on numerous initiatives, particularly in the redevelopment of the area spanning from Winthrop University to Downtown Rock Hill, known as Knowledge Park. In this discussion, Turner shares his experiences and insights from working with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and his contributions to the university’s broader community development efforts.
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Interview with David E. Vipperman and Elizabeth King Vipperman - OH 633
David E. Vipperman and Elizabeth King Vipperman
This interview is 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 during Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project preserves firsthand accounts of the institution’s evolution through recorded interviews with key members of the Winthrop community.
This interview features David E. Vipperman and Elizabeth King “Kloo” Vipperman. David Vipperman served as a member of the Winthrop Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2011 and was appointed to the South Carolina Educational Television Commission in 2012 by Governor Nikki Haley. Kloo Vipperman, a Winthrop alumna, served on the Winthrop Alumni Association Board and comes from a family with deep ties to the university. In this conversation, they share their experiences and insights on working with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and reflect on their connections to Winthrop.
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Interview with David A. White - OH 635
David Altman White
This interview was conducted as part of the Winthrop History Project, an initiative led by Winthrop President Emeritus Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio and Rebecca Masters. The project aimed to document Winthrop’s transformation over Dr. DiGiorgio’s 24-year tenure, tracing the institution’s evolution from Winthrop College to Winthrop University. Designed to supplement Dr. Ross Webb’s The Torch is Passed, which chronicles Winthrop’s history up to Dr. DiGiorgio’s presidency, this project sought to provide a comprehensive account of this significant period.
A key component of the initiative was a series of recorded interviews with members of the extended Winthrop community who played a role in shaping the university’s progress. These firsthand narratives preserve the voices, experiences, and perspectives of those who contributed to Winthrop’s growth and development.
This interview features David Altman White (1935-2024), who served on the Winthrop University Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2002, including a term as Chair beginning in 1998. Prior to his tenure on the Board, Mr. White was a member of the Winthrop Foundation Board from approximately 1985 to 1990. An attorney who began practicing in the area during the 1960s, he worked alongside longtime Board of Trustees member John T. Roddey. In this discussion, Mr. White shares his experiences and insights from working with President Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio, reflecting on his contributions to Winthrop's growth and development.
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