Distinguished Alumni  2000

The first group was inducted as Distinguished Alumni in Physical Education during Alumni Weekend in April, 2000.  The inductees represented a wide range of areas of expertise and contribution.  A brief write-up on each follows:

Sarah Jane Limehouse Armstrong

Sarah Jane Limehouse Armstrong graduated from Winthrop College  in 1963 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.  After graduation she began teaching with the goals of teaching children the values of a healthy lifestyle.

During Sarah Jane’s career she received numerous awards and honors for her commitment to teaching.  She received the South Carolina AAHPERD President’s Service Award, was named the 1989 South Carolina Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, received  the Order of the Palmetto from South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell, and was named the American Heart Association’s Volunteer of the Year.  In 1998, she received the Southern District Jump Rope for Heart  Recognition Award and was honored by AAHPERD in 2000 for leadership, fund raising for research, and promotion of Jump Rope for Heart.

Sarah Jane began Jump-Rope-For-Heart at Simpsonville Elementary School where she taught for most of her career.  Her jump rope teams, the Simpsonville Skippers logged over 200 performances across five states in parades, festivals, and conventions.  After stepping down as coordinator for the Jump Rope for Heart Program, she developed South Carolina’s largest unicycle team.

After teaching physical education in the Greenville County School System for 34 years, she  retired  in 1998.  Dennis C. Waldrop, Mayor of the City of Simpsonville, declared March 7, 1998  Sarah Jane Limehouse Armstrong Day, for her many years of service and commitment to the youth of Simpsonville.

Mary “Polly” Wylie Ford

 Mary “Polly” Wylie Ford graduated from Winthrop College in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.  She received her master’s degree in Education from the University of Virginia in 1952 and then went on to receiver her PhD from the University of Iowa in 1957.

During her student years at Winthrop she served as President of Westminster Fellowship, was listed in the Who’s Who Among College Students, received the WAA Best All Around award, and graduated with Cum Laude honors.

Polly returned to her alma mater in 1961 as a faculty member and became department chair in 1962.  During her 30 years in that role she provided leadership that kept the department on the cutting edge in physical education.  Winthrop’s entry into competitive athletics in the 1960’s was made possible through her support as programs were housed in the Department of Physical Education until the Athletic Department was created in 1975.

Polly has been recognized throughout her career for her leadership in professional organizations as well as at Winthrop.  She served as president of the Southern District Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and was  Southern District Representative to AAHPERD.  She received an Honor Award from South Carolina and Southern District AAHPERD organizations, and a Citation for Outstanding Contributions from the Southern Association for Physical Education of College Women.  Upon her retirement, the Mary Wylie Ford Award for professional involvement was created by colleagues and former students.

Lucile Ellerbe Godbold

Lucile Godbold graduated from Winthrop College in 1922 with a degree in physical education.  During her years at Winthrop she was an outstanding athlete setting Winthrop records in many events.  At the annual spring track and field meet her records were so outstanding that the outside judges sent her times by telegraph to California where all winners were determined.  Her points (including breaking the women’s record in shot put) earned her an invitation to try out for the International Team Tour to go to Paris and compete (forerunner of Olympics).

She won the events in New York, won a place on the team and set sail for Paris on August 1,  1922.  She carried the flag for the team and won 1^st place in the shot put; 4^th in the 300m run; 3^rd in the javelin throw; 3^rd in the 1000 m run,.  The United States was 2^nd with 31 points and Ludy Godbold scored 10 of them and brought home 6 medals.

Lucile Godbold accepted a job teaching physical education at Columbia College where she influenced the lives of generations of girls for 58 years.  She taught everything except golf and dance.  The physical education building at Columbia College is named the Godbold Center in her honor.  In 1961 Lucile Godbold was the first women inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.  In her later years tennis was her favorite sport and she continued as a tennis instructor after she retired from Columbia College.  Ludy Godbold died in 1981.

Colonel Mary E. Lucas, AMSC

Mary Lucas earned her bachelor of science degree in physical education at Winthrop College in 1959.  Immediately after graduating she was commissioned into the Army Medical Specialist Corps and completed the US Army Physical Therapy Course.  In 1967, Mary completed her master’s degree in physical therapy from Stanford University and then served as a Physical Therapy Instructor at the Academy of Health Sciences.

She completed a PhD in anatomy at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.  During this time she served in various capacities at the Academy of Health Sciences in San Antonio.  Duties included serving as Director of the Baylor master’s degree program in 1981 and also the Physical Therapy Staff Officer, Headquarters, Health Services Command.  In 1984 she was selected to be the Chief of the Physical Therapist Section, Army Medical Specialist Corps.  Mary was then sworn in as Chief of the Army Medical Specialist Corps on January 6, 1986.

Mary  is a recipient of the Surgeon General’s “A” Professional Designator, the Order of the Military Medical Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.  Her military education includes the AMEDD Officer Advanced Course and the US Army Command and General Staff College.  She has been honored in both the civilian and military sectors for her many professional contributions.

Robin A. Litaker

Robin A. Litaker graduated from Winthrop College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education.  She went on to earn her Master’s of Arts in Teaching Degree in 1982 from Winthrop College as well.  She is presently enrolled at the University of Alabama in the PhD program.  She is currently a Physical Education Specialist at Trace Crossings Elementary in Hoover, Alabama.

Robin has served in many professional associations and affiliations throughout her career.  In 1996 she was a member of the Leadership Council for the Alabama State Teacher Forum (ASTF).  She also served as President Elect in 1997-1998, President 1998-1999, and Past-President 1999-2000 for the ASTF.  Robin also served in many different capacities for the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (ASAGOWES).  This would include Past President 1996-1997, President 1995-1996, President-Elect 1994-1995, Director of Public Relations 1996-1999, Director of Publications 1993-1994, Vice President of the Physical Education Division 1992-1993, Vice President-Elect of the Physical Education Division 1991-1992, and Secretary 1990-1991.  Robin was the President of Magic City Physical Educators and Coaches from 1993-1994 and Past-President from 1994-1995.  She was the Vice President of Elementary Physical Education for the Coaches and Physical Educators of Mobile (CAPE) from 1989-1991.

Robin also holds many professional honors.  These would include 1997 Alabama State Teacher of the Year, 1997 Alabama State Elementary Teacher of the Year, 1996 ASAHPERD Honor Award, 1996 Alabama State School Board District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year, 1996 Hoover City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year, 1995 Trace Crossings Teacher of the Year, 1992 Southern District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 1991 Alabama Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 1992 Teacher Merit Award, 1992 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 1994 Who’s Who in the World, 1991 Who’s Who in American Education, 1989 heart of Gold Award, and the 1984 Teacher of the Year at Maryvale Elementary School.

Susan Mauger Miller

Susan Mauger Miller graduated from Winthrop College in 1967 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.  She received her master’s degree in physical education from Wake Forest University in 1975.  In 1984, she received a C.A.G.S. degree from Virginia Tech.

During her years as a student at Winthrop.  Susan served as a Sophomore Advisor, a House Councilor, and a Senior Judicial Board member.  She was Secretary of the Winthrop Recreation Association, Vice President of Sigma Gamma Nu, and was listed in the Who’s Who Among College Students.

Following her graduation from Winthrop, she taught health and physical education in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for five years.  For the next five years she was an assistant professor of physical education at Salem College.  Upon moving to Virginia, she became a supervisor for Montgomery County Public Schools,.  Currently she serves as Elementary Physical Education Specialist and Coordinator for Health, Physical Education and Family Life Education.

Her professional activities include AAHPERD and VAHPERD involvement, curriculum development committee for the Virginia Department of Education and Phi Delta Kappa membership.  She serves on the Radford University Student Teacher Advisory Board and is active in a number of civic organizations.        

Norma Diane (DeDe) Owens

Norma Diane (DeDe) Owens received her bachelor of science degree in physical education from Winthrop College in 1968.  She played on the basketball and golf teams while at Winthrop.  She went on to receive her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her doctorate in education from the Curry School of the University of Virginia.  She received Distinguished Alumni Awards from UNC-G and the University of Virginia.

DeDe joined the LPGA tour and after a short career as a player she left and became one of the most popular golf teachers in the country.  She was named LPGA Teacher of the Year in 1993 and 1997 and Midwest Teacher of the Year five times.  In 1997 she won the Ellen Griffin-Rolex Award for teaching.

DeDe co-authored seven books on golf and wrote eight research articles.  She taught golf in the university setting for fifteen years prior to opening her own golf instruction company.  At the time of her death in 1999 she served on the research and developmental staff for Callaway Golf Company and was teaching professional at Cog Hill Country Club in Chicago.

Judy Wilkins Rose

Judith Wilkins Rose graduated from Winthrop College in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.  During her career at Winthrop she was president of Sigma Gamma Nu and served as captain of the basketball team for three years.  Her senior year she received the Hellams Award as the outstanding physical education major.

She went to the University of Tennessee and received her master’s degree in physical education while serving as an assistant to Pat Head (Summitt).  She began her coaching career at UNC-Charlotte as the basketball coach for the 49ers.  She was named assistant athletic director in 1981 and was named athletic director in 1990.  She was one of only three women to head a Division I athletic program.

Judy Rose was director of the 1996 NCAA Final Four for women and was director of the 1994 NCAA final four for men.  She is a tremendously successful fundraisers for 49er athletics and for the entire UNC-Charlotte campus.

Her many hours include “Who’s Who in the South”, 1996 Women of the Year in Charlotte; 1995 Winthrop Professional Alumni Award; 1999 Pegasus Award to highlight just a few.  She serves on numerous boards and advisory committees.  Supporters of 49er Athletics recently established an endowed scholarship in her name.

Lois Rhame West

Lois Rhame West graduated from Winthrop College in 1943 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. A year before she graduated, she married John West who later became governor of South Carolina.  Following her graduation, she  taught at the University of South Carolina to help put her husband through law school. 

While Mr. West was serving in WWII, Lois sold war bonds at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington and also conducted farm surveys.  After the war she took a key role in her husband’s success as she raised their three children and campaigned with him.  As First Lady of South Carolina, she entertained guests with luncheons, brunches, and dinner parties while continuing her role as an active mother.  Following their stay in the Governor’s Mansion, she lived in Saudi Arabia when her husband was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.  A true diplomat, she made some strides in acceptance of women in leadership roles during her stay.

Her numerous civic contributions include service as a trustee on the S.C. Museum Commission, president of the West Foundation (a scholarship program named for her husband) and a volunteer with both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts.  Lois has even started a horticulture and floriculture program at Midlands Center, a facility in Columbia that serves adults with mental retardation.  For more than 25 years she has taken an active role in the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was the first female to serve as its president.

She continues her active involvement in civic agencies and currently serves as co-chair for Winthrop’s first capital campaign.  One of the many honors bestowed on Lois was the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Winthrop College in 1984. 

Mary Sue Britton McElveen

After her graduation from Winthrop in 1943, Mary Sue Britton McElveen worked in Military Intelligence as a cryptographer and later became a stewardess for American Airlines.  She and her husband Jim have two children.

During her student years at Winthrop she served as Senior Class President, Treasurer for Student Government, Chair of Senior Order and Coordinator for the dance band.  She was listed in Who’s Who Among College Students.

Her love for Winthrop has been evident through her years of service.  In addition to serving as president of the Lake City Alumni chapter, she was a member of the Alumni Executive Board for twelve years where she held several offices, including President.  She was elected to the Winthrop College Board of Trustees in 1970 and in 1985 became the first alumna and the first woman elected as chair.

Involvement with the Presbyterian church spans local, regional, and national levels.  She helped to establish churches in Pineville and Santee and held many leadership roles, including Elder.  Her extensive career of public service includes membership on recreation advisory boards, bank boards of directors, and the United Way.  Among her numerous awards are the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award from Winthrop in 1983, the Order of the Palmetto in 1990, and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Winthrop in 1999.

Bennie Bennett

Bennie Bennett received his bachelor of science degree in  physical education at Winthrop in 1981.  He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision.  When men’s basketball was started at Winthrop, was a member of the first team and was the first male to score 1,000 points.  As a player, he received numerous honors and was elected team captain his senior year.

Upon graduating, Bennie began his career teaching physical education and coaching junior varsity basketball in Clover.  He moved to Fort Mill High School to teach physical education and coach basketball at the high school level.  He returned to Clover to become head basketball coach at Clover High School and served as an administrative assistant.  He was later appointed assistant principal and athletic director at Clover High School.  In 1998, he became principal of Clover High School, a position he currently holds.

Bennie was named Regional Basketball Coach of the Year five times.  He was selected as a mentor principal by the South Carolina Department of Education.  Other activities include United Way volunteer, mentor in the Big Brother program, and a member of the York County Board of Disabilities.  In 1997, Bennie received an Excellence in Education Award given by the College of Education at Winthrop University.

Sue Boyce Misenheimer

Sue Boyce Misenheimer graduated from Winthrop College in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education.  While at Winthrop, she was a house counselor, held several class offices, and was president of the Winthrop Recreation Association. 

After teaching briefly in York, she began teaching physical education at Chester High School where she taught until her retirement in 1995.  Along with her teaching, she coached basketball, tennis and softball.

She was one of the founders of the South Carolina Tennis Coaches Association, a member of the South Carolina Athletics Coaches Association, the Coaches Association of Women’s Sports, the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association, and the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, an Dance.

Sue was named Coach of the Year in both tennis and basketball.  In 1993, she coached the Chester High School basketball team to the South Carolina State Championship.  In 1994, the South Carolina Coaches’ Association honored Sue with a service award.  She was named Chester High School Teacher of the Year in 1995.

[Faculty] [Degree Programs and Courses] [College of Education Home]