Distinguished
Alumni 2003
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Maeberta Bobb |
William Brown
Simpson, Jr. |
Agnes Jeter
Agnes
Jeter graduated from Winthrop College in 1929, where she was
affectionately known as “Jete”. “Jete” began her athletic
career at Union High School as an exceptional guard on the first
girls’ basketball team. She played varsity all four years and
was captain of the team for three of those four years! Agnes
Jeter’s groundbreaking was acknowledged by Union High School in
2000, by her induction into the Union High School Athletic Hall
of Fame.
While at Winthrop, “Jete” continued to
be active in basketball while adding field hockey, tennis,
archery, track, and bowling to her athletic resume. She played
three years on the varsity basketball team and led her class
team to four class championships. By her graduation in 1929,
Agnes Jeter was named one of the three best all-around athletes
at Winthrop.
Ms. Jeter is best known for her
leadership of Camp Yonahlossee, which means “Trail of the
Bear”. She began as a college student counselor in 1927 and by
the 1950s she was co-owner and director of the 350-acre camp in
Blowing Rock, North Carolina. For over 54 years, “Jete” touched
the lives of hundreds of girls and young women at Camp
Yonahlossee. By her retirement in 1981, Agnes Jeter was
welcoming the granddaughters. Her camp was committed to
teaching young girls the joy of living in the outdoors and the
benefits of life long activity. Her success can be measured by
the annual reunions held by former campers. These same campers
maintain a Web site and are known as the “Sisters of the Y”.
These women continue to support each other and “Jete” through
their ongoing involvement with each other. What could be a
better testimony to her impact?
Ms. Jeter has often said that the best
decision she ever made was to attend Winthrop. We are all so
very glad that she did and it is with great pleasure that we,
the current staff and faculty, welcome Agnes Jeter as a member
of the class of 2003 Distinguished Alumni.
Ruth Sturgis
Ruth
Sturgis is being presented with an Honorary Distinguished Alumni
Award for her contributions to the Department of Health and
Physical Education. Ms. Sturgis graduated from Winthrop in
1937, and while her degree was in Home Economics, her heart was
in Peabody.
After her graduation from Winthrop, Ms.
Sturgis taught one year at Irmo High School before entering
Louisiana State University on a teaching fellowship. She earned
a Master of Science degree in Physical Education from LSU in
1940. Upon her graduation, she was named the Director of
Physical Education at La Grange College. After one year, she
joined the faculty of West Georgia College. While in Georgia,
she served as President of the Georgia Association for Health,
Physical Education and Recreation and chaired the Georgia
National Section of Women’s Athletics for three years. In 1952,
Ms. Sturgis returned to Winthrop, when she was named an
assistant professor of physical education.
For twenty-six years, Ruth Sturgis was
the heart and soul of the Women’s Recreation Association (WRA)
on campus. She helped the WRA grow into the largest and most
influential club on campus. In addition to her work with the
WRA, she was a gifted teacher. Through her guidance and
leadership, hundreds of students developed into quality
teachers. She was a demanding teacher, who tempered her high
standards with humor and love.
Upon joining the Winthrop faculty Ms.
Sturgis was asked if she would like to see any changes made and
she cited the pressing need for a building with adequate space
to take care of all activities. I am sure Ruth Sturgis is
smiling down from above knowing that a new facility is in the
works named for another distinguished alumni, Lois Rhame West.
It is with great pleasure that we, the current staff and
faculty, welcome Ruth Sturgis as an honorary member of the class
of 2003 Distinguished Alumni.
Emily Baird Sheffield
Emily
Lewis Baird Sheffield earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Physical Education from Winthrop College in 1948. The Clover,
South Carolina native was President of the Winthrop Athletic
Association and one of only twelve students selected to be a
member of the Senior Order. During her senior year she was
elected to Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities and was voted
one of the four best athletes on the Winthrop campus along with
another Distinguished Alumni, Polly Wylie.
After her graduation from Winthrop, Emily
Baird married Benjamin Sheffield and raised three children. She
is now the proud grandmother of three grandchildren. Mrs.
Sheffield is living proof that there is life after
childrearing. In 1976, she organized Prime Time 5-0 in
LaGrange, Georgia. The intent of Prime Time 5-0 was to have
senior women participate in a regular exercise program at no
charge. Her work in health and fitness for LaGrange was
acknowledged in February of 2003, when she was inducted into the
“Hall of Fame” by the Troup County Park and Recreation
Department.
In all her spare time, Emily Sheffield
found time to be crowned Ms. Senior Georgia, to be first
runner-up for Ms. Senior America, to be second runner-up in Ms.
National Senior Citizen in 1997, and to be named Ms. National
Senior Citizen in May of 2000. She has been named a Gracious
Lady of Georgia and is a Senior Ambassador for the City of
LaGrange.
If you aren’t worn out just thinking
about her pace, she has also won numerous gold, silver, and
bronze medals in state, national, and international senior
competitions in bowling, swimming, and race walking. Emily
Lewis Baird Sheffield has spent a lifetime advocating for
fitness and wellness. It is with great pleasure that we, the
current staff and faculty, welcome Emily Baird Sheffield as a
member of the class of 2003 Distinguished Alumni.
Maberta Bobb
Maeberta “Bert” Bobb earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical
Education and Health from Winthrop College in 1963. The
Newberry, South Carolina native began her teaching career at the
Furman School before deciding to continue her education at the
University of Tennessee as a graduate teaching assistant. She
received her Master of Science degree from Tennessee in 1966,
but stayed two more years in Knoxville as an instructor and
Director of Women’s Intramurals After leaving Knoxville, Bert
Bobb moved on to Coker College, where she was an Assistant
Professor of Physical Education and coached field hockey,
basketball, and volleyball. By 1972, Winthrop College beckoned
her back to Rock Hill. She served as an assistant professor of
Physical and Special Education while coaching field hockey and
basketball. In her spare time, she earned an Ed.D degree from
the University of Georgia in 1977.
Dr. Bobb has served Winthrop in numerous
capacities. She was an interim dean and associate dean for the
School of Education, an assistant to three presidents (Lader,
Piper and DiGiorgio), Director of Academic Advising, Director of
Student Services, and Chair of the Health and Physical Education
Department. For twenty-nine years, Dr. Maeberta Bobb heeded the
call from Winthrop. Her leadership and work ethic were much
valued by the institution.
It is fitting that Bert Bobb chair the
Pathfinder committee for NAGWS. She was one of the early
proponents of intercollegiate athletics for women. Her service
to the South Carolina Association for Intercollegiate Athletics
for Women (SCAIAW) placed her on the cutting edge of the women’s
sport. Much of the growth of intercollegiate sport for women can
be credited to pioneers such as Dr. Maeberta Bobb. It is with
great pleasure that we, the current staff and faculty, welcome
Maeberta Bobb as a member of the class of 2003 Distinguished
Alumni.
William
Brown Simpson, Jr.
William
Brown Simpson, Jr. earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical
Education and Health with an emphasis in Leisure Services from
Winthrop University in 1988. Immediately upon his graduation, he
began his work with the Young Men’s Christian Association in
Rock Hill.
He served as the Athletic Director for
the Rock Hill YMCA from 1988 to 1994. He coordinated numerous
camps, basketball leagues, indoor soccer, track and field,
recruited volunteers, organized special events, and trained and
supervised staff. While under his direction, the YMCA athletic
program grew in number of participants and program offerings.
After serving as Athletic Director for six years, “Brownie” was
promoted to Senior Program Director. As Senior Program
Director, he directed Camp Cherokee, coordinated the Silver Fox
Club (Senior Travel Club), and continued to provide guidance to
a number of youth sport leagues. William Brown Simpson has
provided leadership, guidance and foresight to the recreational
programs in Rock Hill area through his dedication and commitment
to the YMCA. In 1998, Mr. Simpson was named the Branch Director
for the Chester County Branch of the YMCA and continues his
invaluable service to the field.
In 1999, the College of Education
recognized Mr. Simpson’s contributions by presenting him with
the Award of Excellence. In addition to his work with the YMCA,
he has found time to be one of the top high school softball
officials in the state. He was named an All-Star South Carolina
Official by the Association of Women’s Sport in 2002.
He is married to Kimberly Ann Paul and
the proud father of Allison Hannah and Margaret Grace. It is
fitting that this former Eagle Scout be named a Distinguished
Alumni. It is with great pleasure that we, the current staff
and faculty, welcome William Brown Simpson as a member of the
class of 2003 Distinguished Alumni.
