Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University

09/03/2026

With the recent passing of Gloria Steinem who remembers when Ms. Steinem visited Winthrop in 1972? Below are photos from her visit.

09/01/2026

A sampling of advertisements (plus a few photographs from the Archives collections) found in the first Johnsonian of the academic year 1926-1927--100 years ago.

08/28/2026

The Louise Pettus Archives was happy to have a display at this great event. If you are interested in having a historic display at your event , contact us, we would love to help.

"Did you know that 's Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, the City of Rock Hill, SC, Rock Hill Police, and local business owners have observed the Town & Gown Compact for 36 years?
This annual event brings everyone to campus to commemorate and strengthen the long-standing partnership between our organizations to work together and uphold the values of cooperation and civic responsibility. The 2026 event included signatures from myself, student representatives from all of our Greek Life organizations, Winthrop Police Chief Charles Yearta, Vice President for Student Affairs Shelia Burkhalter, Assistant Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life LaPorcha Ellick, Rock Hill Mayor Pro Tem John Black '91, Rock Hill Deputy Police Chief Michael Belk, and Walk2Campus COO Brad Hastings. "

08/28/2026

Rock Hill will take over the Queen City (Charlotte) at the Charlotte Knights game on Sept. 10...and our very own Shelley Giles Jones '97 will sing the National Anthem! ⚾
Get your discounted tickets 🎟️ ➡️ https://www.gofevo.com/event/Rockhill80
We hope to see you there!

08/27/2026

Winthrop founder and first president D. B. Johnson began the Blue Line in 1895 when Winthrop moved to Rock Hill. It involved Winthrop students walking to church services in their navy blue uniforms on the first Sunday of the academic year. Pres. Johnson led the procession. The practice was phased out in the early 1970s. In 1983, Winthrop president Phil Lader re-established the tradition in conjunction with Convocation as a symbolic tying together of "town and gown" as well as a formal start to the school year. Convocation, followed by the Blue LIne, took place on August 29, 1983.

08/27/2026

Did you know Dolly Parton's mother was born in South Carolina?
Avie Lee Owens was born on October 5, 1923 in Lockhart. Here is her application for a delayed birth certificate from our collections (S169267). See less

Did you know Dolly Parton's mother was born in South Carolina?

Avie Lee Owens was born on October 5, 1923 in Lockhart. Here is her application for a delayed birth certificate from our collections (S169267).

08/24/2026

"Established in 1895 by President Johnson, The Blue Line is among Winthrop's most cherished traditions... it originally involved walking down Oakland Avenue to church services the first Sunday of the academic year. The Procession was headed by the president, followed by a double column of students dressed in their blue and white uniforms, thus giving rise to the name, "Blue Line." Today Winthrop University will open its 141st year by holding Convocation with Winthrop's 12th President, Dr. Edward A. Serna '02, and finishing with the Blue Line procession. The Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University would love to welcome all new students, staff and faculty to Winthrop and hope for a great year for all of our Eagles. Please enjoy photos from Blue Lines and Convocations throughout the years.

08/21/2026

Today August 21, 2026 is a momentous occasion for the Louise Pettus Archives. Today officially marks Gina Price White's 40th year of working at Winthrop! Everyone help us in congratulating our director ,and fearless leader, for her tireless dedication to preseving and protecting the history of Winthrop and our surrounding counties.
If you are interested in hearing more about the history of Winthrop, straight from Gina, please listen to the interview below and please look through 40 years of photos of Gina at Winthrop . We would love for you to share any memories you have of Gina and any congratulatory messages for her.

Congratulations Gina! The Louise Pettus Archives would not be what it is today without you!

https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/257/

08/21/2026

The Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University would like to welcome all of our new and returning students as they safely begin moving onto campus. We would love to share some move in photographs throughout the years.