Welcome to Winthrop

With David's graduation, our next big milestone was to get a job. We weren't having much luck and were worried that David would have to take a non-music/teaching job. That can be a resume killer and is really discouraging after 13 years of music education. We were beyond excited when Winthrop University contacted him in response to a job he had applied for to be an adjunct professor of voice. In their e-mail, they said that rather than needing him for voice, they wanted him to teach aural skills and music technology, which is actually a better fit for him. He went to meet with them on Monday and they offered him the job on the spot! 

He will be an adjunct professor, which means he won't get paid much and we won't get any benefits, but it's a gateway job and an excellent opportunity. Best of all, Winthrop is a great school. It is a liberal arts school that was founded in 1886, originally as an all-women's college. From Wikipedia: "Winthrop has been ranked in numerous college rankings. U.S. News & World Report has chosen Winthrop for inclusion in its listings 21 straight times. The university has been recognized as South Carolina's top-rated university according to evaluations conducted by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Winthrop has been rated by the Commission as "substantially exceeding standards" every year since that classification was created in 2003. The university was also named by the John Templeton Foundation as a University that "encourages character development". In addition, Winthrop has received numerous Top-10 Regional Public University (South) rankings by U.S. News & World Report and has been rated among the Princeton Review's "Best Southeastern Colleges." It is home to some notable alumni, most importantly, Baylie's kindergarten teacher.

Here is some information from Winthrop's website about the department where David will be working: "Welcome to the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The academic disciplines within the College have been a central component of Winthrop’s commitment to the arts for well over a century. In fact, Winthrop is one of only seventeen universities in the United States with all five of its undergraduate and graduate arts programs – theatre, dance, music, fine arts and interior design – nationally accredited. As the only comprehensive collegiate arts program nationally accredited in all the arts in the State of South Carolina, public or private, the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Winthrop University offers majors in art, design, music, theatre, and dance and teacher certification in art, music, theatre, and dance."

Winthrop is located in Rock Hill, SC - about an hour away from Columbia, just over the state line from Charlotte, NC. For now, we are going to stay in Columbia and David will commute. They are going to try and schedule him to only teach on Mondays and Wednesdays, so he would only commute twice a week and could substitute teach here locally on the other three days.

Winthrop is a very picturesque campus. Here are some photos of and information about their amazing buildings from their official website.

Tillman Hall -1894

Tillman was constructed with convict labor. Remnants of prisoners' stocks remain in the basement. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, Tillman is an excellent example of the Romanesque architecture popular in the 1890s.

Bancroft Hall - 1909

Byrnes Auditorium- 1939

Byrnes Auditorium is home to the David Bancroft Johnson Memorial Organ, an Æolian-Skinner valued today at $500,000 and containing more than 5,000 pipes in 78 ranks. It is considered one of the largest and finest instruments in the South. The organ underwent a two-year restoration beginning in 2007.

Campus Center

Crawford Building- 1896

Another distinctive style of architecture is seen in the Crawford Building, whose arches, balconies, and circular front porch are reminiscent of Italian Renaissance country homes. The building was the last to be completed under the initial campus plan in 1896. Then called the Infirmary, the facility was constructed with convict labor and incorporated modern hospital design. A north wing was added in 1912.

Little Chapel -1823

Inside Little Chapel

The Little Chapel was designed in the Federal style by architect Robert Mills, a South Carolinian famous for his design of the Washington Monument. Erected as a stable and carriage house for the Ainsley Hall mansion in Columbia, S.C., it eventually became property of the Presbyterian Church and was used by the Columbia Theological Seminary. In 1886, when David Bancroft Johnson founded the Winthrop Training School for Teachers, the chapel became the original classroom for this innovative new school. In 1936 the chapel was given to Winthrop by the seminary, and the structure was moved to Rock Hill, where it was reconstructed brick by brick.

Johnson Hall - 1920

Johnson Hall was constructed with funds from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, the YWCA, and the state legislature. The building remains one of the premier performance facilities in the South.

Joynes Hall - 1929

Kinard Hall - 1929

McBryde Hall - 1909

Built in the eclectic style of a medieval hall, McBryde for years was the primary dining place for Winthrop students. Upperclassmen presided at the heads of tables; students sat in assigned seats for family-style meals. Its spacious Tudor design accentuates the high hammer-beamed ceilings supported by an elaborate timber system.

Inside McBryde Hall

Owens Hall - 2007

Phelps Hall - 1943

President's House - 1890

Each of Winthrop's 10 presidents has lived in the President's House. The Eleanor Roosevelt Bathroom was built for the First Lady's personal use during a visit to Winthrop in 1943

Roddey Hall - 1920

Rutledge Building - 1905

For years Rutledge was known as Carnegie Library, named for industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who provided funds for its construction.

Sims Science Building - 1961

Stewart House - 1895

Thurmond Building -1939

Wellness Center - 2007

Inside the Wellness Center

Inside the Wellness Center

A courtyard

Withers Building - 1912

Withers Building - different angle

The Withers Building was constructed largely with funding from J.P. Morgan and from contributions of Andrew Carnegie, the Peabody Fund, the state legislature, and private individuals.

Sadly, the most boring building on campus is the Barnes Conservatory of Music.

We are looking forward to becoming acquainted with this amazing school.