SUMMER 2020


Most students’ college careers begin with registering for classes and purchasing books.


GOING THE EXTRA MILE


Whitney Garrett


Ask students what makes Winthrop special and they will say the faculty and staff who go the extra mile for their students. Sometimes, more than 150 miles.


In March, the university moved to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When Assistant Professor of Quantitative Methods Edie Dillé’s methods in business course moved online, one of her students, marketing major Whitney Garrett, virtually disappeared.


Garrett’s advisor, Professor of Marketing Jane Thomas, reached out to Dillé and asked how they could help Garrett finish the class successfully.


“When I found out Whitney was trying to do her coursework through her phone, I wanted to see if the university had any resources we could provide,” Dillé explained.


The Information Technology office agreed to lend Garrett some equipment, so Dillé drove more than three hours one way to meet Garrett to give her a laptop and hotspot.


“She was really engaged in the class [before the shutdown], She’d volunteer to work problems on the board, she’d ask questions when she had them and she had a good grade going into spring break and the campus shutdown.” - Edie Dillé


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A resident of Andrews, Garrett chose Winthrop for the care faculty and staff show their students.


“Based on word of mouth, the faculty and staff care about students’ academics as well as their physical, mental and emotional standing,” she said. “The instructors and professors take their jobs seriously. The love is here at Winthrop University.”


‘Grateful for their faith’


Garrett doesn’t hesitate to share her story with other students, hoping it will encourage them.


Garrett’s began with her younger sister, Courtney, in the hospital. She registered, ordered books and went school shopping late due to the constant back and forth drive to Columbia to visit her sister. (Thankfully, her sister recovered and is now an English secondary education major at Winthrop.)


But the struggles weren’t over: at the beginning of the 2019 spring semester, Garrett lost her uncle to suicide. The following week, as she and Courtney returned to campus, they were in a near-fatal car accident on I-77.


“I struggled with my grades because I fell into a depressive state and was diagnosed with anxiety disorder,” Garrett said. “My professors, advisors, the Academic Success Center, the deans and many more have been nothing but helpful and encouraging, and honestly, had more faith in me than I did in myself. They motivate and consistently stand in the battle with me.”


Edie Dillé


“Being back at home for the last two months has been rough. There’s no Wi- Fi, and I proceeded to finish this semester with the use of my cellphone and laptop. Although I waited later than I should have, Dr. Dillé and Dr. Thomas, along with other professors, stepped in to help.” - Whitney Garrett


“One thing I love about teaching is that you get to meet and work with such a wide variety of people,” she continued. “We are all thrown together in a class for at least a semester and we get to know one another. While I only usually have direct contact for a semester or two, we often build relationships that last long after they graduate.”


Many students, like Whitney Garrett, are navigating challenges due to COVID-19. In response, Winthrop created the Student Emergency & Assistance Fund to provide assistance to those that need it.


If you are able to give to this fund, please consider supporting students with the greatest needs.


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GOING THE EXTRA MILE


She’s especially appreciative of that help during this pandemic.


“I am grateful for their faith in me. I honestly wouldn’t have made it this far had it not been for the support of my professors.”


Building relationships


Dillé sums it up like this: “Students are just people; they are just younger (usually). I heard a sermon once where the preacher’s theme was, ‘It’s all about relationship.’ I believe that.”

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