Outstanding Pioneer Award
Presented to a male and a female athlete for exhibiting excellence in academics, leadership, honesty, citizenship, responsibility, and dedication. The athletic staff nominates students, and then all discuss and vote on the recipients.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Williams-Garcia, Xvibes Member of the Year
This award is given to the member of the X-Vibes who exemplifies leadership, commitment, and service to the organization and who understands and works to promote the value of programming for the campus at large. The award is named after Jessica Williams and Tavy Garcia, two of the original officers of the SMC programming Board who were instrumental in its early success and legacy. The recipient will be chosen by the XVibes Advisor, along with input from the officers. The award will be a plaque, paid for out of the Student Activities Budget.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Physics Award
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Katherine Cann Social Sciences Award
Given to the student who completed the greatest number of Social Science courses with the highest GPA and who maintained personal integrity, academic discipline, and sound leadership. The social science faculty will discuss and choose the winner.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Norma Jean Miller Scholarship Award
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 check is made to the student and the college. The second is a sophomore scholarship to be given to a sophomore. The check is made to the student and the college/university they intend to transfer to.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Chemistry Award
This award is given for academic achievement in chemistry courses at SMC. Criteria: Candidates much have completed at least two semesters of chemistry classes or be currently enrolled in their second course. Candidates 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 a positive attitude towards the sciences in general and the class in particular.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Psychology Award - Bachelor's Degree
This award is given annually for academic achievement in psychology courses at SMC. There are two awards given: one at the associate's level and another in the BA program. The top candidates must have finished psychology courses with the highest GPA and must have displayed academic discipline, integrity, and leadership. The required psychology courses at the associate's level are Psychology 101 (General Psychology) and Psychology 201 (Developmental Psychology). The recipients will be selected by the psychology faculty.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Peter Aylor Psi Beta Award
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. The recipient is selected by the faculty sponsors.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Biology Award
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.
Student Excellence -
2025 May 16
David and Dr. Nancy Gibson Mathematics Award
This award is given annually to one or more students who display qualities of excellence in mathematical skills and are judged the most outstanding in mathematics.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Religious Studies Award Winner
This award is given annually to an outstanding student from the BA Religion Concentration. Criteria considered for this award include academic achievement, leadership in classroom discussions, and service to the college and community. Special consideration may be given to students who plan to pursue religion as a career path. The recipient is selected by the faculty in the Religion Department.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Outstanding Drama Student Winner
The Outstanding Drama Student Award is given to the student who has contributed the most to the drama program during the past school year. Factors taken into consideration in the selection of the award winner include classes taken, grades made in these classes, professional behavior and leadership in college productions, outside-of-class participation, and leadership in dramatic activities on and off campus. Faculty in the Speech/Drama Program decide the student who will receive the award each year at Awards Day.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Music Department Award for Excellence
The SMC Music Student of the Year is awarded to the student making the most outstanding progress in the scholarship (Theory and Composition) and performance (Theory Skills) aspects of music study.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Paul S. Lofton History Award
While the award itself has been in existence for many years, in 2009, the History Award was named in honor of Dr. Paul S. Lofton, Jr., a longtime history professor at SMC. The award recognizes a student or students who have excellent performance in history classes at SMC. The recipient is chosen by the history faculty.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
Outstanding English Student in the BA Program
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.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
The Trailblazer Award for Journalism
This award goes to the student who makes the greatest contribution to the Trailblazer student newspaper. The Trailblazer's advisor selects the recipient.
Academic Award -
2025 May 16
A.J.R. Helmus Foundation Award for Poetry
These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best poetry for the literary magazine each year. The literary magazine advisor selects a faculty/staff member or a local writer to rate the pieces that are selected for inclusion in the magazine.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Excellence in Criminal Justice Studies Winner - BA Program
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Excellence in Accounting Award
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Charles Moss Award for the Outstanding Graduate in Criminal Justice - Associate Program
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.
Student Excellence -
2025 May 16
A.G. Carter Literary Award Winner
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Excellence in Management and Entrepreneurship
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Excellence in Marketing and Sales Award Winners
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.
Academic Excellence -
2025 May 16
Business Award - Associate in Business
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.
Student Excellence -
2025 May 16
Graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College
On Saturday, May 3, Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) held its annual Commencement ceremony, recognizing graduates from the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025, at Spartanburg High School. Senior Victoria Farr, of Boiling Springs, SC, was selected as the student speaker and shared her story of perseverance in encouraging her classmates to go out and achieve great things.
Graduation -
2025 May 15
Athletic Director's Honor Roll
The Spartanburg Methodist College athletic department is pleased to announce the spring 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.
Honor Roll -
2025 May 14
Local Students Named to the Spring 2025 President's List at Spartanburg Methodist College
Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the students included on the President's List for grades earned during the spring 2025 academic semester. President's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.
President's List -
2025 May 2
Spring 2025 Dean's List
Dr. Curt Laird, SMC Provost and Executive Vice President, is pleased to announce the students included on the Dean's List for grades earned during the spring 2025 academic semester. Dean's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
Dean's List -
2025 May 2
SMC Students Inducted Into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Spartanburg Methodist College recently inducted 35 students into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Students receiving this honor achieved an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher with a minimum of 16 academic hours. Inductees must also be of good character and possess recognized good qualities of citizenship.
Honor Society -
2025 Apr 16
SMC Students Inducted Into Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Society
Spartanburg Methodist College recently inducted 20 students into the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society. Students receiving this honor achieved an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher with a B average in a minimum of one course in English or literature.
Honor Society -
2025 Apr 16
