Convocation Opens ’09-‘10 Academic Year At SMC

09/11/09

SPARTANBURG, SC - Spartanburg Methodist College officially opened its 2009-2010 academic year this week with its annual convocation ceremonies.

SMC President Dr. Colleen Keith, who took office on July 1 as the College's seventh president, served as keynote speaker for the ceremonies.

The ceremonies kicked off an academic year which is seeing the College's largest enrollment in 20 years with a headcount of 808 and full-time enrollment at 798.
 
Dr. Keith applauded other recent milestones of the college and its students, including the college's recent 10-year reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, its eight athletic teams that went to national competitions in the 2008-2009 season, the recent publishing of faculty member Dr. Joseph Ongeri's doctoral dissertation, and service initiatives that various students have individually spearheaded.

She also addressed topics of individualism, success, and the power of dreams.

"Don't compromise your individuality as you choose your path in life. What I mean by that is you need to really think about who you are and what's important to you as you go through your classes here and as you think about what you want your eventual major, and eventual career, to be," she told students.

Dr. Keith added, "The challenge facing the SMC community, faculty, staff and students alike, is to weave together needs of the individual while at the same time to build a sense of community, to foster a climate that enhances opportunities for success and to allow dreams to happen.  It is a challenge that I feel SMC has met for the past 98 years, and will continue to meet well into the future. It is the essence of the SMC experience."

During the ceremonies, SMC also inducted Brandon Hunter as its Student Government Association President for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Hunter, a sophomore and 2008 graduate of Greenville High School, is the son Drico and Bridget Hunter, of Greenville, SC.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 99th academic 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, contact Brian Fulkerson, Director of Public Information, at (864) 587-4254.
 

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