Oral History Commons^™

Interview With Barbara Stephens Haigler - Oh 295, Barbara Stephens Haigler

Winthrop University Oral History Program

Barbara Stephens Haigler is a Winthrop University alumna from the class of 1957. In this interview, Mrs. Haigler discusses her decision to attend Winthrop, her arrival, dorm life, working as a hall monitor, her host mother, the blue line, campus rules and regulations, gym class, the dining hall, social events, concerts and recitals as a band major, practice teaching at Winthrop Training School, teaching music as a career after graduation, and meeting her husband.

Interview With Lib Guerry - Oh 294, Lib Guerry

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her October 11, 2012 interview with Robert Ryals, Lib Guerry recalls her two-year experience at Winthrop. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Frances Case - Oh 289, Frances Elizabeth Kendrick Case

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her October 11, 2012 interview with Robert Ryals, Frances Elizabeth Kendrick Case (Class of 1951) details her experience at Winthrop from 1947-1951. In particular, Case provides insight into the many rules and regulations students had to follow concerning dress, the Blue Line, curfew, cars, and smoking. Case speaks about student and dorm life, and her experience as a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City. Case concludes her interview by discussing her involvement with Winthrop since she graduated.

Interview With Margaret Howell Heath - Vhp 072, Margaret Howell Heath

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her October 12, 2006 interview with Nicole L. Wilson, Margaret Howell Heath explains why she joined the WAVES and shares her experiences being stationed in San Francisco. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Ua1b2/1/3 Oral History, Paula Trafton, Mary Sample

WKU Administration Documents

Interview conducted by Paula Trafton with Mary Sample regarding her time as a student, College High teacher and executive secretary to Dero Downing from 1957 to 2005.

Ua1b2/1/4 Oral History, Paula Trafton, Ray Buckberry

WKU Administration Documents

Interview conducted by Paula Trafton with Ray Buckberry, WKU alum.

Ua77/2/1 Hall Of Distinguished Alumni Induction, Alva Matherly Clutts

WKU Administration Documents

Speech by Alva Matherly Clutts upon her induction into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Interview With Bessie Louise Garison - Oh 104, Bessie Louise Garison

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In December 1980, Anne Ledford interviewed Winthrop alumna and former faculty member Bessie Louise Garison (1892–1985). Born in Ridgeway, SC, Garison moved with her family to Rock Hill in 1895, the same year Winthrop relocated there from Columbia. In the interview, she recalls her childhood in Rock Hill, witnessing the construction of the Winthrop campus, and attending Winthrop’s kindergarten and Model School (later the Winthrop Training School housed in the Withers/W.T.S. Building). Garison enrolled at Winthrop College in 1908 at age sixteen and graduated in 1912. She later returned as an Instructor of Fine Arts, serving from 1937 to 1958. …

Interview With Naomi Banks Bridges - Oh 110, Naomi Banks Bridges

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her December 6, 1980 interview with her daughter Kathryn Bridges, Naomi Banks Bridges describes her schooling, time at Winthrop, and the effects of World War II on her family. Bridges concludes her interview describing Christmas day and her family’s Christmas traditions. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Agnes Lawton - Oh 100, Agnes Lawton

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her November 13, 1980 interview with Lewis P. Armistead, Agnes Lawton relays her family history and career as a teacher. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Dorothy Rauch - Oh 036, Dorothy Rauch

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her April 30, 1980 interview with Jeff Clark, Dorothy Rauch recalls growing up on campus and attending Winthrop during the Great Depression. In particular, Rauch shares what it was like as a Day Student and the changes she witnessed on campus. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Cynthia Plair Roddey - Oh 62, Cynthia Plair Roddey, Integration

Winthrop University Oral History Program

This interview, conducted on January 22, 1979, by Cynthia Wilson for The Johnsonian, the student newspaper of Winthrop University, documents the experiences of Cynthia Plair Roddey, the first African American student admitted to Winthrop College following desegregation.

Roddey reflects on her decision to attend Winthrop in 1964, citing convenience, family responsibilities, and access to graduate coursework in library science as primary motivations. She recounts her arrival on campus, her desire to minimize attention and avoid publicity, and the precautions taken by college officials and local authorities to ensure her safety. She also describes the strong support she received from …

Interview With Janie May Carroll Rice - Oh 022, Janie May Carroll Rice

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her November 13, 1976 interview with Sara L. "Sally" Tyler, Janie May Carroll Rice expresses her love of Winthrop. Rice recalls President Johnson’s involvement with the students, and his desire to include religion in all aspects of campus life. Rice also defends the many rules and regulations of Winthrop. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Julia Mobley Irwin - Oh 023, Julia Mobley Irwin

Winthrop University Oral History Program

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

Interview With Arnetta Gladden Mackey - Oh 17, Arnetta Gladden Mackey

Winthrop University Oral History Program

This collection includes an interview with Arnetta Gladden Mackey (1948-2009) who, along with Delores Johnson Hurt, was one of the first two undergraduate students admitted to Winthrop in 1964. She graduated from Winthrop in 1967. Mrs. Mackey discusses her childhood and family, her feelings about attending college, receiving her scholarship to Winthrop, and her feelings about attending an all-white school. She also describes her experience living in the dorm, Rat Week, her social life, her experience with her white peers, and her experience with academics. Mrs. Mackey discusses her experience with the lack of Black churches in the area, the …

Interview With Mary Denny Matthews - Oh 016, Mary Denny Matthews

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her April 21, 1975 interview with Ann Yarborough Evans, Mary Denny Matthews shares her experiences as a student from 1915-1919 and her career at Winthrop from 1920-1942. Matthews lends stories of student life and how WWI shaped Winthrop. Matthews also explains why she decided not to teach and instead have a career at Winthrop. Matthews concludes her interview with details on the strike at Winthrop for equal pay for women. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Sally Todd Bethea - Oh 015, Sally Todd Bethea

Winthrop University Oral History Program

Sally Todd Bethea’s 1974 interview with Freida C. Todd focuses on life at Winthrop in the late 1930s and includes why Ms. Bethea attended Winthrop, teacher training, dorm life, uniforms, gym, the dining hall, assemblies, clubs, campus restrictions, entertainment, classes, Winthrop Training School, bible class, orientation, Shelton Phelps, the Depression, the college farm and ice cream, and Saturday night dances. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Gray Taylor Grady - Oh 012, Margaret Gray Taylor Grady

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her August 22, 1974 with Freida Todd, Margaret Gray Taylor Grady (1918-1981) recalls her time at Winthrop from 1935-1939. In this interview Gray Grady discusses her experiences while attending Winthrop College including dorm life, student clubs, student organizations, rules and regulations, and physical education.

Interview With Leslye Fleniken - Oh 013, Leslye Lightsey Fleniken

Winthrop University Oral History Program

This interview features Leslye Lightsey Fleniken (1920–2019), a native of Fairfax, South Carolina, who attended Winthrop College from 1936 to 1940, graduating in 1940. Following her graduation, Fleniken taught for 35 years in the public schools of Williston-Elko, Bamberg, and Lake City, South Carolina, before later serving as a guidance counselor. In this interview, she reflects on her experiences as a student at Winthrop, discussing dormitory life, academics, the infirmary, student organizations, campus activities, dining services, college regulations, and long-standing traditions. The interview provides a vivid snapshot of the Winthrop College student experience during the late 1930s.

Interview With Bessie Poag - Oh 011, Bessie Poag

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her July 31, 1974 interview with Louise Pettus, Bessie Poag details her memories as a student at Winthrop Training School and Winthrop College. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Emma Cooper Cockfield - Oh 010, Emma Cooper Lovett Cockfield

Winthrop University Oral History Program

This interview was conducted by Ann Yarborough Evans with Emma Cooper Lovett Cockfield (1891-1977) for the Winthrop College Oral History Project on July 31, 1974. Cockfield (Winthrop College Class of 1914) recalls her experiences as a Winthrop student, discussing the Training School, academic courses, athletics, clubs, and student activities. She describes the Training School’s emphasis on practical teaching experience and preparation for a career in education, as well as her experiences with tennis, basketball, the Glee Club, sewing, and literary and religious organizations. She also recalls the rules and customs governing student life, including dress codes, study hours, dormitory regulations, …

Interview With Nancy Hinson Cox - Oh 006, Nancy Hinson Cox

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her July 16, 1974 interview with Ann Yarborough Evans, Nancy Cox recalls Winthrop customs from 1930-1934. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Rosa Elmore Bootle - Oh 007, Rosa Elmore Bootle

Winthrop University Oral History Program

This interview was conducted by Ann Yarborough Evans with Rosa Elmore Bootle (1910-2015) for the Winthrop Oral History Collection. In the interview, Mrs. Bootle reflects on her years as a student at Winthrop College (Class of 1934), where she enrolled to prepare for a career in teaching. She discusses campus life during the 1930s, including residence hall regulations, study hours, dating restrictions, class attendance policies, examinations, and the required student uniform. Mrs. Bootle recalls her coursework as a Business Education major and describes several influential faculty members, including Mrs. Auld, Mr. Bratcher, Johnny Walker McCain, Mrs. Snellings, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. …