SMC Adds Facebook As A Recruiting Tool

01/23/09 — College’s Admissions, Athletic Departments Using Online Site To Supplement Recruiting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Spartanburg Methodist College has joined the growing number of colleges and universities on Facebook.

The SMC Office of Admissions, along with the College's Athletic Department, have launched Facebook pages aimed specifically at supplementing the College's existing recruitment methods.

The Office of Admissions' Facebook page will include links to various resources on the College's home page, along with a downloadable copy of its Viewbook, the College's primary recruiting publication; information about its Discovery Days; information on application procedures; slideshows including a campus tour; news releases; and contact information.

"With more and more students, both in high school and college, using social networking sites like Facebook, we hope to be able to capitalize on that. By increasing our electronic presence and finding new methods of relaying necessary information to students as they are making that critical decision of where to go to college, we will be able to communicate our message even further," says Mike Queen, Director of Admissions.

The Athletics Department's Facebook page will include links to its 14 sports; a full calendar of athletic events; news releases; a downloadable copy of the 2008-2009 Pioneer athletics magazine; a "Pioneers in Action" slideshow; and contact information.

"We're excited about the opportunity to increase our visibility online and further promote all the successes we've had within our athletics programs. Many of our coaches and student athletes are already on Facebook and this will allow us another avenue to communicate with them, other students, and prospective recruits about just how awesome it is to be Pioneer and to support SMC," says Mark Perdue, Athletic Director.

"This is an excellent way for us to supplement our recruiting and generate more interest in our programs," he adds.

Both pages allow Facebook members to join the page as 'fans,' join in on discussions, and post comments about SMC which College officials see is of great advantage.

"Prospective students and current students alike will be able to connect with each other that way, both prior to and while at SMC. They will be able to learn firsthand from other students' experiences at SMC and show their support for the College, its programs, and for each other. Word of mouth can be a very helpful marketing tool when it comes to telling people of all the great things we have to offer at SMC," says Queen.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 98th year of providing a 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 Brian Fulkerson, Director of Public Information, at (864) 587-4254. More information on Facebook can be found in their online press room.

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