Spartanburg Methodist College

This award goes to the student who makes the greatest contribution to the Trailblazer student newspaper. The Trailblazer's advisor selects the recipient.

This award is given annually to a student enrolled in the BA program who displays excellence in upper-level English courses. The recipient is determined by the English faculty. The award consists of a framed certificate and a cash prize.

This 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. The English professors, in consultation with one another, choose the recipient.

Candidates must be scheduled to graduate with a BA concentration in Criminal Justice by the summer term after commencement. Candidates are chosen from those with the highest grades in their criminal justice coursework. Consideration is given to the following additional information: academic discipline, integrity, empathy, and leadership. All full-time members of the Criminal Justice department are involved in the decision. Information may also be solicited from adjunct Criminal Justice faculty to help the full-time faculty reach a decision.

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 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 a graduating senior in the BABA - Management and Entrepreneurship Concentration degree program. The recipient must meet the following criteria: Completed all coursework required for graduation. Earned scores within the top 5% of their BABA concentration. Demonstrated a commitment to excellence in learning. Contributed to a positive classroom environment. Exemplified a high standard of ethics.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to a graduating senior in the BABA - Accounting Concentration degree program. The recipient must meet the following criteria: Completed all coursework required for graduation. Earned scores within the top 5% of their BABA concentration. Demonstrated a commitment to excellence in learning. Contributed to a positive classroom environment. Exemplified a high standard of ethics.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to a graduating senior in the BA degree program. The recipient must meet the following criteria: Completed all coursework required for graduation. Earned scores within the top 5% of their degree program. Demonstrated a commitment to excellence in learning. Contributed to a positive classroom environment. Exemplified a high standard of ethics.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to a graduating senior in the BABA - Marketing, and Sales Concentration degree program. The recipient must meet the following criteria: Completed all coursework required for graduation. Earned scores within the top 5% of their BABA concentration. Demonstrated a commitment to excellence in learning. Contributed to a positive classroom environment. Exemplified a high standard of ethics.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to an outstanding student in the Associate of Business degree program. The recipient must meet the following criteria: Completed at least three of the following business courses: BSAD 201: Principles of Macroeconomics BSAD 202: Principles of Microeconomics BSAD 205: Accounting I BSAD 206: Accounting II Earned scores within the top 5% of the courses listed above. Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. Demonstrate community involvement on campus or off (Sports, Student Government, Clubs, Church, or other community organizations) Contribute to a positive classroom environment and exemplify a high standard of ethics.

On Saturday, May 9, Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) held its annual Commencement ceremony, conferring degrees to graduates from the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025, at Spartanburg High School. Senior Luna Orozco, of Taylors, SC, was selected as the student speaker. She spoke of the community she found at SMC that encouraged her to grow and continue connecting with new communities. Orozco was awarded the Yandle Class Leader Award. SMC conferred a record 415 degrees, recognizing 77 bachelor's degrees and 338 associate degrees - both the most in the school's history for a single year.

Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the students who have earned inclusion on the Dean's List for grades earned during the spring 2026 academic semester at Spartanburg Methodist College. Dean's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the students who have earned inclusion on the President's List for grades earned during the fall 2025 academic semester at Spartanburg Methodist College. Students named to the President's List have achieved a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.

The Spartanburg Methodist College athletic department is pleased to announce the fall 2025 Athletic Director's Honor Roll. Student-Athletes who compile a 3.25 GPA or better while being enrolled in 12+ hours each semester will be named to the list.

Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the 289 students included on the Dean's List for grades earned during the fall 2025 academic semester at Spartanburg Methodist College. Dean's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the 221 students included on the President's List for grades earned during the fall 2025 academic semester at Spartanburg Methodist College. Students named to the President's List have achieved a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.

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

Given to a graduating student on the basis of citizenship, character, scholarship, and athletic ability.

The purpose of this award is to provide recognition of an outstanding freshman student at Spartanburg Methodist College. The student receiving the award must be classified as a freshman, having completed specific academic requirements (including being on track to have completed at least 24 credit hours with a 2.5 GPA). The outstanding freshman should have a positive image among students, faculty, and staff and with no disciplinary record. The student participates in extracurricular life in the college in a manner that reflects their leadership potential. Additional considerations include participating in community service, being a role model for other students, and representing the college in a positive light.

The Heart of the Pioneer Award was established to recognize student leaders who embody a pioneering spirit and who have made a significant positive difference on campus.

Given to graduating students (one male and one female) who display qualities of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

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. The Chaplain selects the recipient.

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 Chaplain selects the recipient.

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.

This award will be given to a first-year Pioneer Ambassador who has shown increased levels of leadership and responsibility.

This award recognizes a senior student who has completed all four years of the Pioneer Ambassador Program.

The SGA Member of the Year Award is given to the SGA member or officer that showed the greatest commitment to SGA and great abilities of leadership and service to the student body throughout the academic year. The SGA Senate submits student nominations which are tallied to select a winner.

This award will be given to a Pioneer Ambassador who has shown excellent leadership and responsibility.

This award is given to a new CA who, through their leadership position, supported the mission of Community 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 criterion by which the recipient is chosen includes outstanding service to Community Life and to SMC through programming efforts, work ethic, and campus visibility. Recipients must display dependability, compassion, and dedication to the SMC community. The recipients are chosen by the Community Life Staff.

This award is given to a returning CA who, through their leadership position, supported the mission of Community 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 criterion by which the recipient is chosen includes outstanding service to Community Life and to SMC through programming efforts, work ethic, and campus visibility. Recipients must display dependability, compassion, and dedication to the SMC community. The recipients are chosen by the Community Life Staff.