The 9,000 acre site is a National Historic Landmark and has been named in a list of Top Ten Public Gardens by Tripadvisor.com. Amanda Woolwine, the director of the Office of Special Projects for the CVPA, says that the award used to be given to those with a Winthrop background who contributed to the arts, but that the condition is being relaxed.

“It’s nice if some of our candidates have Winthrop ties, but it’s not criteria anymore,” she said. “It’s about people who have made a difference and we want our award to be special to those who win it.”

The Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Medal of Honor Steering Committee determines nominations, before a list of candidates is brought before Winthrop’s sitting president for final consideration. While the Medal of Honor has brought back highly-respected Winthrop alumna and faculty in the past, Woolwine says the board has reached out to some national figures, including comedian Stephen Colbert, headline funny man for The Colbert Report on Comedy Central.

“He was too busy, unfortunately,” Woolwine said. “It’s a long process to bring people here. The selection process starts in the summer and all of the chairs solicit responses from past awardees. We always like to have people who have relationships with us.”

Brookgreen picked up the award at Johnson Hall in Winthrop last month, along with two other recipients for 2013, Karen Collins, Larry Barnfield, and Jerry Helton. Collins, a Winthrop alumna, is an Emmy nominated film director, Barnfield is an experienced arts educator with Dortchester School District Two in Summerville, S.C., and Helton, a professor emeritus of music at Winthrop, has taught voice performance since 1970.

Former Winthrop president David Bancroft Johnson, Winthrop professor emeritus Alf Ward and former U.S. Representative John Spratt have all been honored at the annual event in recent years.

Brookgreen Gardens is the first institution to be honored since last year’s induction of the North Carolina Dance Theatre, which holds several ties with Winthrop alumni and administrators.

“There are so many institutions who hold a big identity with their communities,” Woolwine said. “They make their impact in their own way. I think it’s just as important to praise organizations as well as the individuals.”

“It went so much better this year,” Maas said.

IRS and Beta Alpha Psi volunteers set up their table in the DiGiorgio Center every Friday for from the beginning of February to the end of March.

Maas said that after the initial couple weeks, the volunteers were busy every Friday.

Over the month, VITA was able to do 134 tax returns for the Winthrop University community. The Winthrop community received a total of $79,213 in federal refunds this year.

Maas explained that the new location in the DiGiorgio Center helped to make the program a success. “We finally got it where it will thrive and we will keep it going,” Maas said.

The results from the program will help the IRS determine whether or not to continue the program at Winthrop.

Maas said she has received positive feedback from the IRS, but the official notice will come in the fall.

Garvin was awarded with Meritorious Service to the Board for his time spent as a chair on the Board of Trustees.

DiGiorgio was honored with the title of President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Public Service and Leadership. DiGiorgio is one of the nation’s longest serving public university presidents in the country, serving as Winthrop’s president for 24 years.

In honor of this service, the Board of Trustees created the DiGiorgio Forum on Leadership.  It will focus on developing leadership in faculty, staff and students and to help them become effective and ethical leaders. Some of the programs included in the forum will be workshops on professional development and one-on-one mentoring.

“I am touched by this gesture,” DiGiorgio said. “I have had a deep abiding interest in leadership for the past four decades. I look forward to giving life to this forum so it can be another anchor of sorts, similar to our West Forum.”

The forum will be created by the Division of Academic Affairs.

Gale DiGiorgio was also honored and given the status of First Lady Emeritus for her dedication to volunteerism and civic leadership.

ArtFields Map

Calendar of Events

“ARTFIELDS^SM INVITES GUESTS TO LAKE CITY, SC FOR THE LARGEST ART

COMPETITION IN THE SOUTHEAST

LAKE CITY, SC—Art lovers of all ages will make their way to Lake City, South Carolina from April 19 – 28, 2013 for ArtFields^SM,the largest arts competition of its kind in the Southeast. This 10-day epic Southern artfest will feature a wide variety of art events, including an art competition, workshops, lectures, talks, public art and more. Most events are free, and ticketed experiences start at $5.

The full calendar and ticketing information can be viewed at:http://www.artfieldssc.org/attendees/events.

The spotlight will be on 400 pieces of two- and three-dimensional artwork selected from artists in 11Southeastern states. These original works will be exhibited in more than 40 downtown businesses and other venues during the ten days of ArtFields. Art Competition finalists are vying for $100,000 in total cash prizes. A special twist: attendees vote for their favorite to determine the $25,000 People’s Choice Award, which also factors into the $50,000 Top Prize.For full voting instructions, visit: http://www.artfieldssc.org/attendees/voting/. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. on April 27 during the Awards and Finale Presented by IGA.

In addition to the art competition, other events scheduled for the 10 days include:

• Artist Lecture with Dr. Leo Twiggson batiking, a techniquethat uses dye and wax to color fabric (April 26).
• ConversationwithJonathan Green and Mary Whyte moderated by Angela Mack of the Gibbes Museum of Art ($10 advance/$15 at door; April 20).
• Artist Talks with Installation Artists of the Carolinas in front of their work (various dates, various locations).
• Public Art
  • Installation Art of the Carolinas created by Jonathan Brilliant, Jarod Charzewski, Jocelyn Châteauvert and Herb Parker.
  • “Before I Die”Wall allows the public to share their hopes and dreams on a chalkboard in a public space in downtown Lake City.
  • Mini Cine is aone-of-a-kind movie theater designed inside a 40-foot recycled shipping container (it traveled the world 120 times by sea!). It will include 33 seats and a 90” viewing screen playing art documentaries and short films by independent filmmakers.
  • Community Mural led by muralists who will guide the public in creating a very large piece of art.
• Artfields Portrait Contestwith local farmers as the subjectsis a high-speed, high-stakes paint-off. The best in show will receive $1,000 (April 27).
• Art workshops
  • Plein air paintingin rural Lake City and Moore Farms Botanical Garden with Andrea Hazel, West Fraser, Roy Paschal and Kelly Atkinson ($25 advance/$30 at door; limited space available; various dates).
  • Terrarium workshopwith Leesa Phippswill instruct guests how to create a low maintenance terrarium in a glass bell jar usingeasy to maintain plants, mosses and greenery ($50 in advance/$55 at door; limited space available; April 26).
  • CraftFields will be led by book binder Brien Beidler, who will demonstrate traditional paper techniques and book binding ($20 advance/$25 at door; April 21).
  • Screen printing pros will teach attendees about this ancient Chinese technique using woven mesh and an ink-blocking stencil ($5; various dates).
• Screen Printing Café (cost of merchandise)guests can curate their own merchandiseby selecting from a variety of goods and designs to be screen printed before their eyes.
• Live Painting on The Greenturns painting into performance as four artists from the Carolinas work in pairs to complete two large canvases beside the Music on the Green stage (April 20).
• ArtFields After-Dark: Exquisite Corpse Featuring DJ Rocky Horror ($5 in advance/$8 at door; age 21 and over; April 27) invites attendees to take part in an interactive art project based on the old parlor game created by surrealist painters in the 1920s.

In addition to the officially sponsored events, ArtFields will also feature a variety of free concerts on The Green—including a performancebyNew Orleans’ Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band (April 19).Home Grown Music Industry Nightwith Fork & Spoon Records of Columbia, S.C.(April 26) will also feature Hartsville’s singer/songwriter Dylan Sneed (an organizer of nearby ARTSVILLE),and musicians from across the Southeastwill perform throughout the artfest.

Come hungry and enjoy numerous food and beverage (wine and beer only) options, including al fresco flavors from food trucks like Geechee Island, Bebe’s BBQ and Wallace’s Seafood. Sample fresh, South Carolina produce and wares at the SaturdayFarmers’ and Artisans’ Market(April 20 and 27). Guests can also enjoy a four-course Farm to Fork Dinner(April 24)paired with wine and an open bar with signature cocktails on April 24. Wrap up the weekend on April 28 at the How Great Thou Art – A Lavish Southern Tea featuring Community Gospel Choir (April 28)with bellinis, finger sandwiches, tea, petite desserts and more.

ArtFields is family-friendly. Free parking is available throughout town. Leashed dogs are permitted, no coolers or glass containers. Bring a beach chair or blanket to relax during Music on The Green.

The genesis of ArtFields is contained within the name and the town’s rich history of cultivating strawberries, beans and other staples of South Carolina’s agriculture. Now, ArtFields is serving as a fertile field for the cultivation of art and culture in one of South Carolina’s oldest communities, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, including the Patron of the Arts IGA.

For information on sponsorship or participation opportunities, contact ArtFields at 843.374.0180 or info@artfieldssc.org. For more information on art activities, email artteam@artfieldssc.org.

Media contact:

Grace Newland

Grace@touchptcom.com

843-816-6684

Art contact:

Erin Nathanson

erin@artfieldssc.org

843-819-6505

On-site contact:

Rob Bockman

robtbock@gmail.com

803-319-9867″

Alyssa Blevins rushes past Coastal Carolina in a heated battle agaisnt the Eagles’ arch enemy this past Sunday. Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics.

This Sunday the Lady Eagles lacrosse team defeated Big South rival Coastal Carolina in a tight 10-8 victory in Conway, S.C.

Alyssa Blevins tied her season high of four goals as she assisted the Eagles to yet another victorious win. With the win, Winthrop improves to a 9-6 overall record (3-2 in the Big South) while Coastal falls to 4-9 overall (1-3 in the conference).

This victory against Coastal marks the first win for the lacrosse team against heated and historical rival.

Normally the Lady Eagles showcase their persistent aggression early in the game, but this match started a little slow for both Winthrop and Coastal Carolina. Neither team scored within the first ten minutes of the first half, with Coastal earning two goals before Winthrop responded. Freshman Shannon Gallagher scored her first two goals of the game with 18:49 on the clock, according to Winthrop Athletics.

The Chanticleers responded to Gallagher’s goals with two more of their own before Blevins and freshmen Claire Feeney and Logan McCarthy each earned one goal apiece, putting the score at 4-3 with a little less than ten minutes left in the first half. At this point, the game became a battle of back and forth scoring, as Coastal responded with two goals. Thanks to yet another score from Blevins, the score was tied as the first half ended.

As soon as the teams returned from halftime, Blevins and the Lady Eagles continued to show their dominance and persistence that the conference has seen all season. Blevins scored only three minutes into the second half. Coastal fought back to tie the game yet again, and with another goal pulled the Chanticleers ahead.

With 13:31 minutes left in the game, McCarthy scored her second goal of the match, and then almost immediately assisted freshman Megan Wallenhorst to push Winthrop ahead, according to Winthrop Athletics.

Despite Winthrop’s efforts, the Chanticleers weren’t finished just yet. Not a minute after Wallenhorst’s score, Coastal scored tieing the game yet again.

With 7:31 minutes left the in game, Blevins scored her final goal of the game, giving Winthrop the lead yet again and clenching the victory for the Lady Eagles. Soon after, Gallagher scored her second goal of the game to up the score to the final 10-8.

Gallagher ended the game with two goals while McCarthy earned two as well. Freshman Camille King earned eight saves, according to Winthrop Athletics.

The Lady Eagles will next host Liberty at Eagle Field on Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

Junior AJ Fitzsimmions runs in the Florida
Relays. Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics

The cross country team excelled this past Sunday at the Flordia Relays in Gainsville, Fla.

The Florida Relays, a competition hosted by the University of Florida, has various schools throughout the southeast and even some schools in the midwest and pacfiic coast participating in one of the largest meets in the nation.

Junior AJ Fitzsimmons shined in the competition, finishing fourth in the steeplechase in nine minutes and eight seconds. The Charleston native also took off 13 seconds of his own school record, according to Winthrop Athletics.

With this accomplishment, Fitzsimmons is now ranked 24th on the NCAA East Region rankings.

In addition to Fitzsimmons records, Winthrop gained top awards for individuals and in relay performances.

Sophomore Mark Britton earned eighth in the discus tournament with a throw of 48.98 meters, while sophomore Tristan Langley ran a personal best time of 11:06.36 in the women’s steeplechase, according to Winthrop Athletics. With this time, Langley improves to second in the Big South. The men’s sprint relay team consisted of sophomores Zach Miller, Carlo Raeteri, freshman Dylan Brennan McClemont and junior Sammy Livingston. This group finished ninth with a time of 3:27.38.

The women also performed well, with the distance medley relay team finishing third behind Tennessee and Indiana with a time of 12:26.79, according to Winthrop Athletics. This particular team consisted of Langley, sophomores Shalace Rose, Sarah DeVeux and junior Lisa Nichols.

The teams will host and complete next in the Carolinas Cup, starting this Friday at 5 p.m. Visiting schools include The Citadel, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Radford and Savannah State.

Despite the hardships, I have met some wonderful people who have made a positive impact on my life and who will stick with me as I progress into the slightly terrifying world of adulthood. Yes, the inevitable job hunt is looming. The wonderful refund checks have come to a close, but I can say with confidence that Winthrop has taught me everything that I need to succeed in the future.

Being the Sports Editor at The Johnsonian has prepared me for life as a journalist. I have had the honor of speaking to legend Chipper Jones, of sitting alongside our Eagles on the sidelines covering their hard work and efforts and most importantly, making long lasting friendships with my fellow editors and journalists.

As many of you may be able to tell from my articles or if you know me in person, you know that I bleed garnet and gold. I still stick to my guns on my philosophy that school spirit is a necessity. If you take anything from my columns or my personality, please let your school spirit grow. Go to games! Support your fellow student athletes. Be proud to be an Eagle. You attend one of the best higher education institutions in the state. Boast. Own it. Work it.

I honestly don’t know what it will be like to sit in an office and NOT have Nerf gun ammo shot at my head. Is that what the real world is like? I’m sure I will adapt. Or run out to Target and buy Nerf guns for myself and my new co-workers.

Though I hate the thought of leaving Winthrop in the hands of the inexperienced, I am positive that students will continue to grow academically and personally under the tenure of the excellent professors, faculty and staff that roam Winthrop’s campus.

I am proud to say that I am a student at Winthrop University, and I will be ecstatic when I can officially say, “I am a Winthrop alum.”

The first half left Louisville supporters concerned. Michigan started the game with a stellar lead, and at one point led the Cardinals by a double-digit difference.  One of Louisville’s stars of the night, Luke Hancock, successfully led the Cardinals to close the deficit and clinch the victory in the second half of the game. As a result of his phenomenal playing, Hancock was awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

For Louisville, Hancock was the top scorer, earning 22 points and making all five of his three pointers. Hancock was followed in scoring by Peyton Silva, who earned 18 points for the Cardinals. Trey Burke, the top scorer for Michigan earned 24 points. Michigan freshman Spike Albrecht also made career-best goals that night, earning 17 points and trailing behind Burke. For the Wolverines, this appearance in the title game is the first since the Fab Five’s back to back title game losses in the early 1990’s.

Kevin Ware, the famous Cardinal who suffered a gruesome injury during the March 31 game against Duke sat on the benches with his teammates during the championship, cheering on his friends as his crutches stood beside him. As the team entered during warm-ups, they wore t-shirts over their jerseys that were emblazoned with “Ri5e to the Occasion,” offering their support to their fallen teammate. If Ware was in pain, he did not show it during the game or when he hobbled onto the confetti-filled court after the win.

This victory marks Louisville’s head coach Rick Pitino’s second national title, winning in 1996 with the Kentucky Wildcats. Pitino is the first coach in history to achieve this feat. Last week, Pitino was also named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame which honors exceptional athletes, coaches, referees and executives.

How does Pitino and the Cardinals plan to celebrate the win? The players apparently told Pitino that if they won the title, they would all receive tattoos. Pitino replied to the press Monday night with, “Hell yes, I’m getting a tattoo.”

 Top: Freshman Corey Decandia delivers a striking forehand during his match against UNCA. Bottom: Senior Giovanna Portioli rallies during her match against UNCA. Photos courtesy of Winthrop Athletics

This Sunday, both the men’s and women’s tennis team hosted UNCA at the Winthrop Memorial Tennis Courts, with the men winning 4-3 and the women winning 7-0.

With the wins, the men advance to 4-1 in the Big South while the women improve to a perfect 7-0 in the conference.

For the men, sophomores Peter Nagovnak and Dylan Comerford defeated a pair from UNCA 8-4, while freshmen Corey Decandia and Juan Pablo Boada defeated another UNCA pair 8-5.  In the singles round, freshman Ivar Aramburu defeated UNCA’s Matt Waissan 6-4, 6-4.

As for the women doubles, senior Giovanna Portioli and freshman Alice Garcia earned the second position of the match with a win of 8-5. Freshman Caitlin Cridland and sophomore Ekin Gunaysu defeated a UNCA pair with a 8-4 win.

The women will next travel to Conway to match up against Coastal this Saturday at 10 a.m., while the men will travel to Clinton to take on Presbyterian this Friday at 2 p.m.

This is where the chicken comes into play. Up until Friday, anyone can purchase an adult combo meal at the Cherry Rd. Chick-Fil-A and be entered to win a chance to make the first pitch at Saturday’s game. All you have to do is write your name and phone number on the back of the receipt to enter.

In addition to making the pitch, the winner will receive a Chick-Fil-A tailgating package for themselves and 10 friends.