Spartanburg Methodist College

Awarded annually to the student who makes the greatest contribution to the Trailblazer student newspaper.

This award is given annually in honor of the first president of KSA, Rev. Thomas (Tommy) R. Bailey, to the member of Kappa Sigma Alpha who has exhibited outstanding service to humanity through their hours of community service through their dedication and accomplishment of the projects sponsored by KSA. The advisors select this student through careful reviewing of records of participation, hours of service and overall spirit as exhibited in the organization.

Given annually to a student who has shown excellence in Spanish by recommendation of the Spanish professor(s). The winner will have taken at least two Spanish courses, earning an A in each one. The student should have taken the highest level of Spanish being offered.

Given in memory of Samuel Haywood Poston of Spartanburg, SC, a 1951 graduate of Spartanburg Junior College, former chair and faithful member of the Alumni Council, this award is presented annually to a male student judged to be representative of the Christian qualities of compassion, forgiveness, justice, loving care of others and service to the community.

This award is given to male and female RA who, through their leadership position, supported the mission of Residence Life by promoting educational communities and engaging a diverse student body in learning, leadership and personal development by providing a comfortable and safe living environment that is conducive to academic success. The criteria by which the recipient is chosen include: Outstanding service to Residence Life and to SMC through programming efforts, work ethic and campus visibility. Recipients must display dependability, compassion and dedication to the SMC community.

This award is given annually for academic achievement in psychology courses at SMC. Winners must have finished Psychology 101 (General Psychology) and Psychology 201 (Developmental Psychology) with a final course grade of A in both and display academic discipline, integrity and leadership.

The Pioneer Peer of the Year award is given to a Pioneer Peer(s) who exemplifies strong qualities of leadership, character and outstanding commitment to the Pioneer Peer program and to Spartanburg Methodist College as a whole. The recipient will have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

This award is given annually to a member or officer of Psi Beta who displays sound leadership, maturity and responsibility, as well as commitment and dedication to the organization.

This award is given annually for academic achievement in physics courses at SMC. Winners must have completed at least two semesters of physics classes or be currently enrolled in their second physics course. Winners are chosen from those with the highest grades in their physics coursework. Consideration is given to the following: acting as a tutor for the physics courses and providing in-class leadership.

The History Award is named in honor of Dr. Paul S. Lofton, Jr., longtime history professor at SMC. The award recognizes a student or students who have excellent performance in history classes at SMC.

Presented to a male and a female athlete for exhibiting excellence in academics, leadership, honesty, citizenship, responsibilit and dedication.

The Outstanding Freshman Award is presented to a Freshman student with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher who holds a positive image among other students, faculty and staff. He or she must have participated in the extracurricular life of the College in a manner that reflects leadership potential. Additional consideration for the award will be given to the student who has participated in community service at a level beyond expectations, has served as a role model for other students and who represents the College in a positive light.

The Outstanding Drama Student Award is given to the student who has contributed the most to the drama program for four continuous semesters. Classes taken, grades made in these classes, outside of class participation and leadership in dramatic activities on and off campus, and attitude are all considered.

Given in memory of the late Senator Olin D. Johnston to the student regarded as having rendered the greatest contribution to SMC.

This award is given to students who have completed a chemistry sequence or are in the second semester of a chemistry sequence. The student must also have completed or are in the second semester of either two semesters of biology or two semesters of physics. Two scholarships are available. One is a freshman scholarship that is given to a freshman as a rising sophomore who plans to stay at Spartanburg Methodist College. The second is a sophomore scholarship to be given to a sophomor for the college/university to which tthey intend to transfer.

This award is given annually to the student who displays qualities of excellence in mathematical skills and is judged the most outstanding in mathematics.

Given in memory of Ella Jordan Lynn of Jefferson, SC, this award is presented annually to a female student judged to be representative of Christian qualities of compassionate care, loving devotion and unselfish service to others.

The Chemistry Award is given annually. Winners must have completed at least two semesters of chemistry classes or be currently enrolled in their second chemistry course. Winners are chosen from those with the highest grades in their chemistry coursework. Consideration is given to the following additional information: acting as a tutor for the chemistry courses and demonstrating positive attitude towards the sciences in general and the class in particular.

This award is given annually. Winners must be graduating from the Criminal Justice program with the Associate in Criminal Justice degree and hold the highest grades among their peers in their criminal justice coursework. Additional consideration may also be given to the following information: work or volunteer experience in the criminal justice field while also pursuing the degree; outstanding performance in Sociology coursework; providing in-class leadership in criminal justice and/or Sociology courses; and demonstrating outstanding commitment and/or service to the SMC community.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to an outstanding student in business. The recipient must meet the following criteria: - Must have taken at least three of the following business courses; BSAD 201: Principles of Macroeconomics, BSAD 202: Principles of Microeconomics, BSAD 205: Accounting I, and BSAD 206: Accounting II. - Must have received the highest GPA in three of the courses listed above. - Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above - Must be participating in extra curriculum activities like sports or student affairs. - Must be in good conduct.

These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best short fiction (or creative non-fiction) for the literary magazine each year. The literary magazine advisor selects a small committee of faculty members to rate the pieces that are selected for inclusion in the magazine.

The American Legion Award is given annually to graduating sophomores (one male and one female) who display qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, service and character.

These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best art work for the literary magazine each year. The literary magazine advisor asks an independent juror (a local artist, usually) to rate the work that is to be published in the magazine.

This award is given annually for academic achievement in biology courses at SMC. Winners must have completed at least two semesters of biology classes or be currently enrolled in their second biology course. Winners are chosen from those with the highest grades in their biology coursework. Consideration is given to the following additional information: taking biology courses from more than one biology professor, acting as a tutor for the biology courses, taking the Zoology or Botany course and providing in-class leadership.

The Achievement Award in Service is given annually to graduating sophomores who have made significant contributions to the SMC community in the area of service.

The Achievement Award in Leadership is given annually to graduating sophomores who have made significant contributions to the SMC community in the area of leadership.

The Achievement in Athletics Award is given annually to graduating sophomores who have made significant contributions to the SMC community in the area of athletics.

The A.J.R. Helmus Poetry Awards are given annually to three students who produce the best poetry during the year. Award winners are selected by a small committee of faculty members who rate the pieces selected for inclusion in the magazine. Winners receive a cash prize.

The A. G. Carter Literary Award is given annually in memory of the late Dean A. G. Carter, Professor of English Literature, and is presented to the student who displays qualities of excellence in composition and literature. Winners are chosen by English Division faculty and receive a framed certificate and cash prize.

The Achievement Award in Academics is given annually to graduating sophomores who have made significant contributions to the SMC community in the area of academics.