Spartanburg Methodist College

The award was established in 2018 in honor of Dr. Katherine D. Cann, a retired history professor at SMC. The award is given to the student who completed the most number of social science courses with the highest GPA and possesses personal integrity and academic discipline.

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.

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

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 Blue Granite Review literary magazine.

The A.J.R. Helmus Poetry Awards are given annually to 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.

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

The Travis Eiler General Excellence Award is given to a graduating student on the basis of citizenship, character, scholarship, and athletic ability.

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

The Outstanding Freshman Award is presented to a Freshman student or students 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 students who participate in community service at a level beyond expectations, serve as a role model for other students, and represent the College in a positive light.

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

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

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 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 is given to one or more Presidential Ambassadors who has gone above and beyond their job description and expectations. They receive the award because they have welcomed and encouraged every student and family that they have come in contact with. Their passion for SMC radiates in everything they do, and they have made an impact on the recruitment process and the Presidential Ambassador Program.

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.

This award is given annually to the student who makes the greatest contribution to the Trailblazer, SMC's student newspaper.

This award is given annually to an outstanding student who has completed at least two religion courses with superior grades. The recipient is determined by the faculty who teach religious courses.

The Outstanding Pioneer Award is presented to a male and a female athlete for exhibiting excellence in academics, leadership, honesty, citizenship, responsibility, and dedication.

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.

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.

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.

This award is given annually to an outstanding student in music. The recipient is determined by the faculty who teach music courses.

The Chemistry Award is given annually to the top student in the discipline. 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 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.

This award is given annually by SMC on the recommendation of the business faculty to one or more outstanding students 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 extracurricular activities like sports or student affairs - Must be in good conduct

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.