Winthrop University names new library dean, Rock Hill area students win state awards
York County region residents are celebrating. Here are the highlights:
Winthrop University names new Library dean
Winthrop alumna Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, Class of ‘95, has been named Dean of Dacus Library and Pettus Archives, a release from the university states.
Kendrick replaces longtime dean Mark Herring, who is retiring. Kendrick starts her role on July 1.
Kendrick is now an associate librarian and associate professor at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, the release states. She is a Columbia native.
Kendrick earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Winthrop and a master of science degree in library services from Clark Atlanta University, the release states.
“She is well situated to hit the ground running to advance our current library services platform migration project and to extend innovations in open access and online educational resource development,” Adrienne McCormick, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said in a prepared statement.
Kendrick was named the 2019 Association of College and Research Libraries’ Academic/Research Librarian of the Year, the release states.
“As an information professional, my work centers around helping others enjoy and participate in lifelong learning through reading and information evaluation. In this way, I help many people become leaders of their own lives and communities,” Kendrick said in a prepared statement.
Lancaster student wins poetry contest
Andrew Jackson High School senior Taylor Wade took home the championship from the national recitation contest Poetry Out Loud, administered in South Carolina by the S.C. Arts Commission, a release states.
Wade competed against seven other South Carolina students virtually in the state finals, the release states. The annual competition had to move online due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Wade recited “Dead Butterfly” by Ellen Bass and Edgar Allan Poe’s “Israfel” in recorded videos sent to judges during preliminaries. She advanced to the finals, where she recited “Adam’s Curse” by William Butler Years for the win, the release states.
The win marked a years-long effort for Wade, who had reached the finals every year while in high school, according to the arts commission. Wade received a $1,000 prize.
Julianna Weiss from Indian Land High School in Lancaster County also advanced to the finals, according to the commission.
About 2,600 students from 21 schools in 12 counties competed in the 2019-20 contest.
Rock Hill student awarded first York County tourism scholarship
South Pointe High School senior Danielle Parker is the first recipient of the Hospitality Tourism Education Scholarship from the York County Partners in Tourism Board, a release states.
York County Partners in Tourism is a group of hotels, shops, restaurants and other service oriented businesses who aim to promote tourism, according to a release from the board.
The $2,000 scholarship, established in Fall of 2019, is given to a student who is working toward a degree related to hospitality and tourism, the release states.
The scholarship is open to any high school senior in York County who applied to a college and plans to enroll in a hospitality and tourism-related program, the release states.
Scholarship applicants must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and work or volunteer in the tourism or hospitality industry.
A panel of industry leaders chose Parker as the first recipient.
“The opportunities that this will provide me has left me very grateful. I’ve always dreamt of my goals becoming reality and thanks to you, I am one step closer to those goals,” Parker said when board members surprised her with the award. “The scholarship award will go towards my tuition and my financial burden will be reduced. I plan on obtaining my bachelor’s degree and becoming the best version of myself.”
Parker will attend North Carolina Central University and plans to pursue a hospitality and tourism management degree, the release states.
Winthrop student named college journalist of year
Anna Sharpe, editor of Winthrop University’s student newspaper The Johnsonian, was named the College Journalist of the Year by the S.C. Press Association, a release states.
Sharpe, a sophomore, served as editor-in-chief in 2019-20. Sharpe is a Summerville resident.
“Anna was a clear winner in selecting our journalist of the year. Her work in student publications was outstanding,” Bill Rogers, executive director of the S.C. Press Association, said in a prepared statement. “She showed real leadership.”
Guy Reel, Johnsonian advisor and chair of Winthrop’s mass communication department, nominated Sharpe for the award.
“Anna has been consistently outstanding in her writing, reporting and editing, and she has demonstrated a determination to fight for information, question authority and demand accountability from those in power,” Reel wrote in his nomination.
Winthrop professors take home top faculty awards
Brad Witzel, education professor and special education program director, received the Distinguished Professor award, according to a release from Winthrop. It is the highest recognition a Winthrop faculty member can receive.
“Witzel is a highly productive scholar with a national reputation for designing programs to diagnose and address students’ behavior, mathematics and reading needs,” reads the release.
Assistant professor Crystal Glover is the recipient of the Outstanding Junior Professor award, according to Winthrop. Glover is an assistant professor in the department of curriculum and pedagogy, or the practice of teaching.
“Glover, a former elementary teacher, started work at Winthrop in 2014 and has proven to be a remarkable teacher, scholar and mentor to students,” the release states.
Adriana Cordis was granted the Jane LaRoche Graduate Faculty award, according to Winthrop. Cordis is an associate professor of accounting.
“Incredibly organized with formidable administrative skills and a keen eye for details, she works to develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills of her students,” reads the release.
Faculty awards are typically announced during May commencement. Due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Winthrop’s graduation has been postponed to Aug. 15.
York County students’ art displayed in downtown Rock Hill
York County students’ artwork were selected to be displayed in downtown Rock Hill, according to the Arts Council of York County.
The works are on display in a fence along Williams and Fudge between Dust Off Brewing Company and the Lowenstein Building. Works displayed in the White Street Gallery were reproduced on vinyl banners and installed through the links in the fence, according to the arts council.
Featured students are:
- Madeline Ray, York Comprehensive High School - work titled “A Study of Oliver”
Eliel Cuesta, Rock Hill High School - untitled work
Dasani Jackson, South Pointe High School - work titled “Inverted”
Mckenna Moss, Nation Ford High School - work titled “Aubergine”
Zayda Sumner, Rock Hill High School - work titled “Flag Toss”
This story was originally published May 25, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Winthrop University names new library dean, Rock Hill area students win state awards."
