Spartanburg Methodist College

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best creative non-fiction 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.

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.

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

These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best short fiction 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.

These awards are given to the student(s) who produce the best artwork and photography 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.

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.

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.

Criteria: Candidates must be graduating from the Criminal Justice program with the Associate in Criminal Justice degree and are chosen from those with 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. The recipient is selected by the Chair of the Criminal Justice program in consultation with the Provost.

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 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 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 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.

Eight SMC students were recently elected to represent the student body as senators on the Student Government Association for the 2023 - 2024 academic year. The Student Government Association (SGA) is the main representative body for students at Spartanburg Methodist College. Students elected as senators serve a one-year term.

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.

Four SMC students were elected to represent the student body as president, vice president, chief financial officer, and chief of operations on the Student Government Association Executive Team for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Student Government Association (SGA) is the main representative body for students at Spartanburg Methodist College. Students elected to an office serve a one-year term.

On March 30, 2023, 18 Spartanburg Methodist College students were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, a national scholastic honor society. Students had to earn an overall GPA of 3.5 or better with a minimum of 16 academic hours. In addition, Phi Theta Kappa inductees must be of good moral character and possess recognized good qualities of citizenship.

On March 30, 2023, 29 Spartanburg Methodist College students were inducted into Sigma Kappa Delta, a national English honor society. Students receiving this honor achieved an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher with a minimum of one course in English or literature.

On March 30, 2023, 16 Spartanburg Methodist College students were inducted into Psi Beta, a national psychology honor society. These students earned an overall GPA of 3.25 or better with a B average or better in Psychology 101 and/or 201. Students are also required to exhibit a high standard of personal behavior and integrity.

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 fall 2022 academic semester. President's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.8 or higher.

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 fall 2022 academic semester. Dean's List students have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

This award is given to an upper campus and lower campus resident assistant 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.

Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Yandle have been committed supporters of Spartanburg Methodist College and its students for many years. In 2013, the Yandles were so moved by the story of our student speaker that they established and endowed a new award, the Yandle Class Leader Award to honor future student speakers. This award is to be given to the individual who is selected as the Student Speaker at commencement and carries a $1,000 scholarship.

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