A Writing Lab Most Students Are Missing Out On

                Are you a student at South Carolina State University? If so, have you ever heard of or been to the Push Writing Center.

                The Push Writing Center is located on the gloomy 3^rd floor of Turner Hall’s A Wing. Surprising, the lab has been around since 1980.

                As a journalism veteran student (as I like to say), I’ve known about the Push Writing Center since my first go-round at SC State (in 2010). My classmates and I were able to gain more knowledge on the writing center, by sitting down Mrs. Pinson, the coordinator of the Push Writing Center.

                Q: What all does the writing lab offer?

A.      We have two sections of the writing lab. The writing computer assistant were students can come in and do anything they want on the writing lab computers within reason; surf the web and work on their papers. If they (students) are working on their papers and they have question, there are tutors that can stop what they (tutors) are doing and go help them (students). They can come get help on their papers. Tutors will help with organization, good thesis statements, and strong topic sentences, and make sure students have completed the writing process successfully. Session are 30 minutes long.

Q: Do you have any issues with the writing lab location? Is this location good?

View inside of the writing center, computer area

A.      Ideally no! Ideally, a writing lab should be on the first floor of a building and ideally that building is on the center of campus. We’re kind of located on the far end of our campus. Everybody doesn't go to the third floor, if it was on the first floor at least most people would pass by it at some point of time. If students doesn't have a reason to come up here, then a lot of times they don't even know we exist. It's better upstairs than downstairs, I'm glad we're not in a basement somewhere.

Q: What is your passion for the writing center?

A.      My passion is my students. I want our students to succeed. Whatever it takes for them to be successful writers, that’s what we need to.

Q: How can someone become a tutor?

A.      The student must have an A or B average in English 150 & 151, must pass the English proficiency exam, have recommendations from professors, and must qualify for work study.

Q: What are five things students should know about the writing center?

A.      We are here (hello!) and available to assist students with writing. We have and will continue to offer workshops. We are not a fix it shop, we work with the writer not the paper. You’ll leave with a lesson.

Mrs. Pinson & tutor, Zaire Riley

If you would like to check out the Push Writing Center, they have upcoming workshop on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 3 p.m.  were they will focus on soft skills, note-taking, time management, self-discipline, and study skills.

As a frequent visitor of the Push Writing Center, I highly recommend that students take advantage of the opportunities the writing center has to offer.

The writing center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Be sure to check out the Push Writing Center’s blog as well.

Goals? She's Doing It!

“You can do it,” Dayah Barnes said.

Dayah Barnes

You can do it is the quote Barnes live by. Those four simple words keep her going and motivated daily.

She is a 23-year-old hailing from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Barnes is currently in her senior year at South Carolina State University, where she is studying journalism.

Growing up as the only child for 18 years, Barnes spent time writing, playing drums, and listening to music. Barnes started her writing journey at the age five.

“I like to write,” Barnes expressed, “I am always writing about something.”

As a child she would write stories about random topics. She would even write about her Barbie dolls.

Scheduled to graduate in May of 2019, Barnes has plans to move back to Charleston with hopes to get a job for a popular mobile company. The job with the mobile company would only be a temporary job, before jumping into her career.

“I can see myself after college, it’s just getting there and going through it,” Barnes said.

Outside of her interest of communications, Barnes’ expressed interest in Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Laugh, Smile, You Can Do It

Three years after college, she would like to become a part of the FBI. Her dream role within the government job would be to be a part of the briefing team. Besides being interested in the FBI, Barnes’ would like to land a government job with the federal agency in hopes to pay for her master’s and doctorate degrees.

She also has a desire to become a businesswoman. She has goals to own several businesses; from a restaurant to clothing stores.

“I want to start my own business and basically get rich,” Barnes said.

Inspired by her mother, Barnes is focused and working hard on accomplishing the goals she has set for herself.

“She always worked hard to provide for me,” Barnes aid when mentioning her mother. Barnes also stated that her mother was behind the quote she lives by, “you can do it.”

To get to know more about Barnes go check out her personal blog, Around the World. Never forget, “YOU CAN DO IT!”

A Drummer, A Writer, & A Lyricist, She's All of It

Athena Hamilton.
Photo Cred: Athena

When you look at her, you may assume that she's a quiet, shy young woman, but once you sit down and chat with her, you learn she's completely different. When she's alone, she’s mellow and chill, but the life of the party and the adventurous one when she’s out with her friends. That young woman is Athena Hamilton.

Hamilton is a 20-year-old native of Savannah, Georgia.

Growing up, Hamilton was a small, but tough little girl. Up until the age 10, she experienced bullying first hand, which caused her to become angry. Being bullied cause Hamilton to be involved in several fights in school.

To defend herself and help with her anger issues Hamilton’s parents signed her up for Taekwondo.

Off Guard of Athena

"Taekwondo had become therapy for my anger," Hamilton said. 

Having older brother, Narada Hamilton, as a key role model, he inspired Hamilton to pick up an instrument. She joined band in the 5^th grade.

Hamilton is currently a junior at South Carolina State University, where she also participates in the school’s marching band, Marching 101.

She continued to follow her brother’s footsteps, when she decided to attend SC State and join the Marching 101.

“He was a student here, he wasn’t able to graduate,” Hamilton said, “so it’s like I got to fulfill something he didn’t.”

Hamilton has always had a desire to be apart of the Marching 101. She started following the band when she was 13 or 14-years-old. She is currently a tenor player in the Marching 101.

Before a performance with the marching 101.

“I love playing drums,” Hamilton expressed.

Not only was she inspired by her brother, but also by rapper, J. Cole. Hamilton decided to pursue her degree in journalism, like J. Cole did when he was a student in college.

“I knew journalism would let me write what I wanted to write,” Hamilton said.

As her time whines down at SC State, Hamilton spends her time writing music, being active in the music studio, and networking with others in the entertainment and music field.

After graduating Hamilton would like to get in the music industry as a lyricist or a ghost writer.

“Behind the scenes writers get paid the most money,” Hamilton explained.

Hamilton may appear quiet and shy, but it’s several layers to her. Check out Hamilton’s personal blog, Suite Dreams or her latest hits on SoundCloud.

1. 

   Athena Hamilton

Behind The Archive’s Director, Avery Daniels

Avery Daniels, photo taken by Mr. Harwood

Who is Avery Daniels?

Avery Daniels is a 2006 graduate of South Carolina State University, where he majored in history. He currently serves as the archives director of the university.

Before becoming the archives director, Daniels held many titles; from a member of the Marching 101 to a U.S. Marine.

Daniels, an Orangeburg native, graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in 1996. After graduating high school, he joined the Marine Corps. During boot camp he fractured is wrist, after injuring himself Daniels was sent home on a temporary retirement.

Shortly after being sent home on temporary retirement Daniels was in a car accident, which caused injury to the same wrist. With another injury to his wrist, he was unable to return to the military.

“I guess God had a different plan for me,” Daniels said.

Avery Daniels in the Marching 101

When Daniels attended SC State, he was a non-traditional student who actively participated in the Marching 101 band. When he started working with the band he was the water boy. Later, he approached the director at the time, expressing his interest in participating in the band.

Before joining the Marching 101, he never played an instrument. From 2003 to 2006, Daniels was a tuba player in the band.

Tuba, trumpet, and percussion was the only option Daniels to play. “I had some friends that played tuba, so I was like let me go with these guys,” said Daniels

Two years off from school, Daniels went to the University of South Carolina to obtain his master’s degree in library and information science.

Since graduating SC State, Daniels have held many jobs at the university; equipment manager for the Marching 101 and Academic Administrator Assistant.

In 2012, he received a job offer from Alabama A&M University, but it was too late. Daniels had already signed a contract at SC State to be the archives director making him the 4^th archives director at the university.

This story is part of a three-part series, read the other stories; Lets Get to Know Thomas E. Miller and What Happened to Miller Hall.

Let's Get to Know Thomas E. Miller

Thomas E. Miller

You ever wondered who Miller Hall was named after of?

Thomas E. Miller, the first president of the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina (now South Carolina State University).

Born in 1849 in Ferrebeeville, SC. Although Miller had a very fair complexion, he identified as black. Rumor has it he was born to an unmarried couple but was raised by a black couple in Charleston. He attended schools in Charleston for free black children.

Miller was active in Republican politics. He represented Beaufort in the SC house and senate from 1874 to 1882. He briefly served in U.S. Congress in 1890, after a prolonged dispute involving the 1888 election. Miller was also a lawyer.

In 1896, Miller became the president of the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of SC.

Even though Miller was president, he was not the free leader of the black institution. Major and several minor decisions were made by the all-white board of trustees.

According to the university’s archivist, Avery Daniels, Miller was forced out as the school’s president. “He kind of went against the governor at the time dealing with the elections,” said Daniels.

Coleman L. Blease

The governor at the time, Coleman L. Blease, was the most driven opponent against black people. He believed the education of black youth was a waste of money.

“Instead of making an educated Negro, you are ruining a good plow hand and making a half-trained fool,” said Blease.

In 1902, the legislature elected Blease to serve a six-year term on the college board of trustees, before becoming governor after three attempts.

Miller violated his own advice that black men steer clear of politics when he publicly opposed Blease. After winning the election, one of Blease first acts was to appear at a board of trustees meeting to demand Miller’s resignation for ‘pernicious political activity.’

“I am guilty of having begged the voters not to vote for you,” said Miller, in reference to Blease. He was almost eagerly accommodated the governor announcing that principle took precedence over presidency.  

Before ending his 15-year tenure as the college president, he spoke to Blease directly and stated, “Honored Sir, I have never slandered you for there was no malice in my opposition to you. I felt your announced policy against the Negro was not founded upon justice and the best interest of the state, and for that reason I tried to bring about your defeat.”

After leaving the university, Miller returned to Charleston and took can active role in community affairs.

Miller died on April 8, 1938. He summed up his legacy with the state he had engraved on his tombstone, “I served God and all the people loving the white man not less, but the Negro needed me most.

Photo taken by: Mr. Harwood

This story is part of a three-part series, read the other stories; What Happened to Miller Hall and Behind The Archive's Director, Avery Daniels.

What Happened to Miller Hall?

Photo taken by: Mr. Harwood

If you were ever looking at Miller Hall from the outside, it looks like an open and active building, however you would be wrong. 

Miller Hall, originally a dormitory for male students was built in 1938.

The dormitory was name after the first president of the university (at the time known as the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina), Thomas E. Miller. According to SC State’s archivist director, Avery Daniels, Miller Hall was one of the first buildings not named after a board member.

If you went on campus from 1938 to the late 1990’s, you would have seen Miller Hall as an active dormitory for on-campus students. Miller Hall was eventually turned into a women’s dormitory until it closed.

Former Miller Hall residents

Go on campus today, you probably would not notice Miller Hall. Yes, Miller Hall is still standing, and it is in very good condition on the outside. But unfortunately, the dormitory has been inactive for over 10 years.

Today Miller Hall is being used as a storage space for the university. If you were to go inside Miller Hall today, you will see paint peeling off the walls, boxes stacked high, and furniture that’s in the other dorms around campus.

The inside of Miller Hall, today.

Miller Hall is a historical building and the university should treat it as such. If the inside of Miller Hall would have been preserved like the outside of the building maybe it could be reopened as a dormitory or office spaces.

Maybe years from now Miller Hall will be renovated and reopened.

This story is part of a three-part series, read the other stories; Lets Get to Know Thomas E. Miller and Behind The Archive's Director, Avery Daniels.