12 Graduate From SMC Paralegal Certificate Program

12/09/09

SPARTANBURG, SC -- Twelve students recently graduated from the Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Certification Program. 

Those graduating include:

  • Catherine Quinn Felmet, of Spartanburg, SC; 
  • Deirdre Easler Garrett, of Roebuck, SC;
  • Yalanda Deonna Glenn, of Buffalo, SC;
  • Charleka Hannon, of Inman, SC;
  • Jennifer Alley Harris, of Gaffney, SC;
  • Dale Henry, of Lyman, SC;
  • Leslie B. Lindsey, of Greenville, SC;
  • Jessica Marie Pitts, of Greer, SC;
  • Jessica G. Wallington, of Pauline, SC;
  • Haily Watson, of Gaffney, SC;
  • Brittany Sheneice Williams, of Spartanburg, SC;
  • and Danniell L. Williams, of Spartanburg.

SC  7th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Tony Leibert served as keynote speaker at the ceremonies; class representative Jessica Pitts served as student speaker. 

Yalanda Glenn was named The Liz Patterson Student of the Year.  The award's namesake, Liz Patterson, is a former three-term South Carolina 4th District congresswoman who is credited as the founder of this Paralegal Program which began in 1997 at Converse College. The award is presented to a student to honor and recognize their good moral character, confidence, strong academic and leadership abilities and their exceptional promise.  They have been judged to represent the ideal qualities of a Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Certificate Program Student. 

Glenn's quest for a legal career began in August of 2000 when she enrolled in Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN.  She served as summer internship in 2003 with the Office of Corporation Counsel in Washington, DC.  

While attending Carson Newsman, she was on the Dean's List, and was active in leadership and academic activities such as the Student Ambassador Association, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Sigma Sigma Sorority, the Student Government Association Chief Justice, Progressive Student Alliance, SOAR, Wings Leader, was a Tutor and a Head Start Volunteer. She graduated in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. 

After college, she worked at the Dollar General Distribution Center as an area supervisor manager. In the spring 2009, Glenn interned with Hospice Care of South Carolina.  Her long term goals are to attend St. Louis University of Law and pursue a JD/MPH with an emphasis in health law.  She would also like to pursue a PH.D in Health Policy 

"Since being in the SMC Paralegal Program Ms. Glenn performed well academically - maintaining a perfect 4.0 - but  I have been most impressed with her integrity, and excellent moral character.  She possesses a great attitude and works hard at every task that comes her way.  Despite health challenges, she completes her work and earns her grade - one term when she was unable to take notes in class, her mother sat in and took the notes for her.  This intense work ethic will make her a success in every aspect of her career and life," says paralegal program director Yvonne Harper.

 Two graduates of the Paralegal Certificate Program received scholarship assistance to help offset the tuition cost of the program. 

Jessica Wallington received the www.WeServePapers.com Scholarship, a $275 scholarship established in 2008 by Serve-One Inc. Process Serving president and CEO Jeff Bannister, an SMC alum. Serve-One Inc. is an attorney services firm headquartered in Greenville, SC, and a leader in the legal services industry for more than 10 years. 

Charleka Hannon received the Fletcher D. Thompson and Ruth DeLoache Thompson Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2007 by the generous gift of Fletcher D. Thompson and Ruth DeLoache Thompson, both of whom are SMC alums. Mr. Thompson is a Spartanburg probate and adoption attorney who served for 33 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has served on the Paralegal Advisory Committee since 2004.

A total of 20 courses, with each course meeting 10 times, and a 40-hour internship are required for completion of SMC's Paralegal Certification Program. All legal specialty courses within the program are taught by local judges, attorneys and/or paralegals.  

The cost for each course is $300, however, the general public is welcome to audit the full 10-session seminar for $150, or $15 per session. 

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 98th year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment.  More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning. 

For more information, please contact Yvonne Harper, harpery@smcsc.edu or (864) 266-7409.  

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