Winthrop Mourns Passing of Special Education Graduate Student (07/19/24)

July 19, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

• Faith Watson was studying to earn her master's degree with a focus on special education.
• Education faculty membersshared that she was a thoughtful and caring individual.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University graduate student Faith V. Watson, 63, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on July 10 at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House.

She was studying to earn her master's degree with a focus on special education. Watson's faculty shared that she was a thoughtful and caring individual. April Mustian, professor of special education and program director, said that Watson "took so seriously her future role as a special educator and had such desire to ensure she was 'getting it right.' I will remember and cherish her commitment to serving others."

Amy Clausen, assistant professor of special education, shared that "Faith was committed to making a positive impact on the lives of everyone she met. Her unique perspectives and wealth of experiences will be missed by her teachers and classmates."

Watson started in the Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education program while still teaching at South Piedmont Community College. Lisa Harris, a professor in the education core department and M.A.T program director, noted, "Her enthusiasm and passion for becoming a teacher was obvious from day one. She was a dedicated and conscientious scholar with an exemplary academic record."

Born in the Bronx, New York, Watson graduated from Marist College in 2006 with a B.S. in criminal justice. She completed 30 years working in numerous departments within the New York State system retiring in 2018 as a parole revocation specialist in the NYS Community Supervision department. When she relocated to Indian Land, South Carolina, Watson obtained a job teaching G.E.D. at Gaston College and later switched to teaching English as a second language at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe, North Carolina.

She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and was an active member of the Tau Theta Zeta chapter of Pineville-Matthews.

The memorial service took place on Monday, July 15. Condolences may be shared here.