(Benedict College photo: Members of the freshman class form their graduating class year of ’28 (2028) on the recently renovated activity field during Orientation Week 2024.)

Benedict College Achieves Record Enrollment for Fall 2024

Winthrop Remembers Devastating 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, joins the country in marking the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 

It is known as “9/11,” shorthand for Sept. 11, 2001, when four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out in America by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group.

Nineteen terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes, deliberately crashing two of the planes into the upper floors of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City and a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

The Twin Towers ultimately collapsed because of the damage sustained from the impacts and resulting fires.

After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania.

The attacks killed 2,977 people from 90 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed at the Pentagon; and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.

Winthrop President Edward Serna noted that the anniversary is a sad reminder of an important event in American history.

“While most of our students weren’t born when these horrific events unfolded, many of us still remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news,” the president said in a campus-wide e-mail about the events.

He invited faculty, staff and students to join him Wednesday, Sept. 11, to remember and reflect on the thousands of lives lost on that day. Wearing red, white and blue is encouraged. 

The following three remembrances will occur on campus:

8:30 a.m., Tillman Fountain Plaza

The Winthrop community will gather for a presentation of colors, patriotic music, and a moment of silence at approximately 8:46 a.m., the exact time a plane struck the World Trade Center North Tower. Refreshments will be provided.

9-11 a.m., Winthrop Coliseum

Local firefighters, first responders and others will participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to pay tribute to FDNY firefighters by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center and to symbolically complete their journey. Members of the community may drop by to watch and support these local heroes climb the facility’s stairs, some in their full gear. Some Winthrop athletes may participate as well. 

6 p.m., Coliseum South Entrance Lawn

The Palmetto Council, Boy Scouts of America, will host a Flags for Heroes event to honor those individuals who have made a significant impact on the community and/or country.

Palmetto Council scouts will install 200+ American flags on the lawn near the south entrance of the Coliseum to honor veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, community leaders and others.

There will be heroes recognition at 6 p.m. followed by an outdoor flag retirement ceremony at the plaza near the Shack. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Charleston Downtown Alliance Announces Amy Barrett as King Street Business Improvement District’s First Full-Time Executive Director

The Charleston Downtown Alliance, LLC (CDA) welcomed Amy Barrett as the first full-time executive director.

Barrett recently returned to Charleston from the Grand Strand where she served as the inaugural president/CEO of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in urban planning, real estate development and nonprofit leadership including as executive director of the Urban Land Institute South Carolina and director of Business and Neighborhood Services, city of Charleston.

“Amy will be a tremendous asset for our community and King Street,” said Chris Price, chair of the CDA board of directors and president of the PrimeSouth Group, LLC. “She has extensive downtown experience, passion and strong community relations that will support this organization to create the very best King Street experience for our community.

Since March 2023, the CDA has been led by interim executive director Jane Jenkins.

Under Jenkins’ tenure the CDA established the King Street Ambassadors program, enhanced holiday programming and commissioned an economic impact study.

“I want to pass along my sincerest thanks to all who have been so supportive over the past year – the CDA board, downtown owners and tenants, city staff, the mayor and city council,” said Jenkins.

The CDA was established in 2020 as a nonprofit organization with the mission to elevate and improve the King Street experience, in cooperation with the city of Charleston.

The CDA is funded in part by a special assessment paid by property owners along King Street from Line to Broad Street.

The CDA is one of three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in South Carolina.

As executive director, Barrett will be responsible for creating partnerships and building relationships with the owners, tenants, the city and others who support and visit King Street.

IRS Online Account, Identity Protection PINs Protect Against Identity Thieves, Scammers

Internal Revenue Service Identity Protection PINs, or IP PINs, are a vital tool to protect taxpayers from identity thieves.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to get an IP PIN and establish their IRS Online Account.

These tools help guard against fraudsters trying to steal personal and financial information.

Important things to know about an IP PIN

It's a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS.
• The program is voluntary, though it’s strongly encouraged.
• In cases of proven identity theft, taxpayers will be assigned an IP PIN.
• The IP PIN should be entered on the electronic tax return when prompted by the software product or on a paper return next to the signature line.
• Only taxpayers who can verify their identity can get an IP PIN.
• Tax professionals cannot get an IP PIN on behalf of their clients.
• Each IP PIN is valid for one year. When it expires, a new one is generated for security reasons.
• Some participants will receive their IP PIN in the mail. Others will have to log in to the Get an IP PIN tool to get their IP PIN.
• Taxpayers already enrolled in the program can log in to the Get an IP PIN tool to see their current IP PIN.
• Taxpayers with an IP PIN must use it when filing any federal tax returns during the year, including prior year tax returns or amended returns.
• IP PIN users should share their number only with the IRS and their tax preparation provider.

The IRS will never call, email or text the taxpayer to request their IP PIN.

How to request an IP PIN

After a taxpayer verifies their identity, the Get an IP PIN tool lets people with a Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number to request an IP PIN online. Taxpayers should review the identity verification requirements before they use the Get An IP PIN tool.

Tax professionals should advise clients affected by identity theft to request an IP PIN.

Even if a thief has already filed a fraudulent tax return, an IP PIN could prevent the taxpayer from being a repeat victim of tax-related identity theft.

Taxpayers who can't validate their identity online can still get an IP PIN
Taxpayers who can't validate their identity online and whose income is below a certain threshold can file Form 15227 (EN-SP), Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number.

The 2024 threshold is $79,000 for individuals or $158,000 for married couples filing joint returns.

Taxpayers who can't validate their identity online or by phone, those who are ineligible to file a Form 15227 or those who are having or technical difficulties can make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.

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