One of the best kept secrets at Winthrop University is twenty-year old junior Brandy Howell. As a native of Columbia, South Carolina, Howell graduated from Spring Valley High School and now reigns as the President of Collegiate Women for Christ (CWC). CWC is a Christian women’s service organization founded in 2002 that is devoted to living by the principles taught by Jesus Christ and whose role on campus is to uplift Winthrop University and surrounding communities.

As far as Christianity on Winthrop’s campus is concerned, Howell believes that Winthrop shines enough light on the topic, but that it is up to Christians to speak out on their beliefs and to live up to the way that they would like others to portray them.

            Howell made the choice to attend Winthrop after receiving information about the college during her senior year of high school. “It looked like a place where I would be comfortable and flourish,” she commented.

            As a Business Administration major with a concentration in Management, Howell hopes to own and operate her own company one day that would provide homeless and low income residents of South Carolina with a fresh start or second chance at being successful. Her company will not only offer career development and financial stability, but will also contain ministerial work. “This company will offer counseling, bible studies, personal mentors, rehabilitation, and life coaches to cater to the wellbeing of others,” Howell says.

            However, when not working on school work or ministering to women and young teenagers, Howell enjoys shopping, watching 90s’ sitcoms and learning about the Bible.

            Known for her professional and businesslike manner, she gives the most credit to her mother, Karen, for being her mentor. “She not only serves as an exceptional mother, but works fulltime, keeps a loving home, and has an excellent relationship with God.”

            Nevertheless, there are Winthrop professors who have aided in making Howell’s experience at Winthrop a great one such as; the late Cynthia Stiles who Howell says was “an outstanding professor who gave me a positive perspective on public speaking.” She also gives credit to her advisor, Dr. Louis Pantuosco and Ms. Evelyne Weeks.

            At the end of the day when it’s all said and done, Howell says that she just hopes to be an example to others by having an honest personality and being pleasing to God.

Article written by April L. Blanding

Staff Writer

Roddey McMillan Record

April 13, 2005

‘If we all serve the same God, why are there so many different Christian organizations on campus?’

If we all serve the same God, why are there so many different Christian organizations on campus? This is a question that has always puzzled me.  I mean God is Love; God is not the author of confusion. God died for all of our sins. God encompasses any and everything that is perfect. So why does everything that seems to have His name above there club or His name in their motto or in their “hearts”, not come together. It doesn’t make sense.

I mean is it realistic to believe that it can be done? Renee James a senior from Irmo, South Carolina doesn’t think so. “You think that it would be great if we all came together, I don’t know that it’s possible because America in itself is defined upon being individualistic instead of generalizing, “said James. So is that it? Are we as Christians too focused on our own lives to realize that our Christian journeys have nothing to do with us? Or is it impractical to insist upon believing that we all have to worship together? Sharie Gray, a senior from Hampton, South Carolina believes so; she said that “because Christianity is such a broad religion, it can’t be categorized into one segment.”

Some people on the other hand think that it’s important for others to have their own individualistic view of God, like Candice Moore of Georgetown, South Carolina.  When asked what she thought about all of the different Christian organizations we have on campus she said “People have different interpretations of God. There is no one way to see Him.” Emory Glover, senior from St. Matthews agrees, “I think a lot of people believe in God, I think a lot of people just have different interpretations of His Word.”

And lastly some people believe that having so many diverse Christian clubs and organizations on campus helps us all. Like Maurice Dykes a senior from Columbia, South Carolina. Dykes believes that for the most part, “they (Christian organizations) provide outlets for students to still participate in their religious activities or beliefs away from home.” Insinuating that finding the right club or organization for you is what it is all about.

We are all brought up differently and are accustomed to worshipping God in our own ways. The most important thing is that we do assemble and that in the end we all have the same purpose in mind---worshipping God for who He is in our own individual ways.

Article written by Ariadne Pollock

Staff writer

Roddey McMillan Record

September 14, 2005