Articles

26 Years have Passed Since the War in Kosovo, Yet Many Have Forgotten the Terrible Scars it Left. Interview By Markus Bontempo with Luljeta "Leta" Sejdiu Special Report CONTENT WARNING: This article contains sensitive content that some might find upsetting. This article was not written to vilify anyone for the tragedies that occurred, but to shed light on the tragic events that took place. Special thanks to Visar Kurtaj for making this interview possible. June 12, 1999 marked the end of the war in Kosovo in what is now known as Kosovo's Liberation Day. As is the case with many armed conflicts, civilians bore the brunt of the violence. Survivor of the war Luljeta "Leta" Sejdiu recalls her first-hand experiences of fleeing the violence and shares what this tragedy has taugh...

Byline: Lanie Cauthen, Editor-in-Chief  Campus News 10 years ago, the LGBTQIA+ community celebrated a major milestone towards equality – the legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Obergefell v. Hodges. This case established marriage equality as a Constitutional right. S.C. and N.C. had previously recognized same-sex marriage in 2014.  “Ten years ago, I was just starting to accept myself as gay, and the legalization of gay marriage helped me to feel less alone and strange,” Winthrop alum Jordan Crosby said. Suddenly, the option was on the table! All those times I forced myself to imagine a wedding with some faceless man, all those times I had to describe my picture perfect wedding dress; suddenly tha...

Student-Made's New Rock Hill Storefront is Empowering Students to Dream Big  Written By Lanie Cauthen & Markus Bontempo  Arts and Culture  Winthrop students can buy and sell student produced merchandise at Student-Made’s storefront at The Hickory Post. Student-Made Rock Hill opened its doors in April, however the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was Sept. 4.  The store sells student made artwork, accessories, apparel and more.  “[...] here, Winthrop students don’t just sell products, they build confidence, learn real world business skills and connect with a community that believes in their potential,” Eduardo Venegas, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Rock Hill, said.  Graduated Illustration major Zoe Ruth Long and junior graphic desi...

Former Winthrop General Counsel Sues University and Board Leaders Over 29 Alleged Open Meetings Law Violations Byline: Lanie Cauthen - Editor-In-Chief Campus News Christopher Todd Hagins, the former General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Winthrop University, has filed suit against Winthrop University, Board Chair Joel Hamilton, and Board Secretary Tammie Phillips, alleging 29 violations of South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by the Board of Trustees during eight meetings over the past year. The complaint asserts that Winthrop repeatedly evaded open meetings requirements, holding secret votes on budget items totaling nearly $50 million, including student tuition and fee increases, without proper public notice or disclosure. The lawsuit further c...

What you need to know about voting in the upcoming municipal elections.  Byline: Lanie Cauthen - Editor in Chief News Voters who live in counties across South Carolina are gearing up for the November municipal elections. However, those eligible to vote still have a chance to register.  Municipal elections decide who will take official local office positions like mayor and town council. These elections also determine which local issues are put into action – such as tax increases, road construction and public development.  Towns and counties such as Aiken, Charleston, Colombia, Greenville, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Spartanburg and more hold their municipal elections on Nov. 4. Anyone planning to vote in this election must register before Sunday, Oct. 5. The last day to r...