SMC Announces New Faculty Members

06/23/11

SMC Announces New Faculty Members

SPARTANBURG, SC – Spartanburg Methodist College has hired three new faculty members for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Dr. Cyril Kendrick will come to SMC as a Professor of Sociology, Benjamin Sloop will serve as the new Professor of Mathematics, and Dr. John Lanford will be the new Director of the Music Program and Professor of Music.

Prior to coming to Spartanburg, Dr. Kendrick taught at University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. He received his PhD in Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and has taught a spectrum of courses in the field of sociology ranging from Introductory Sociology to Sociology of Marriage and Family.  In his free time, he is heavily involved in the composition and performance of classical harmonica music.

Benjamin Sloop will receive his PhD with emphasis in Mathematics Education from Clemson in August, in addition to his M.S. in Mathematics Science and M.Ed. in Mathematics Education.  For two consecutive years, he has received the Clemson mathematics department’s Excellence in Teaching award. In addition to his educational research, most recently concerning pre-service elementary content, he has also collaborated with biologists and engineers on operations research.

Dr. Lanford has distinguished himself as a highly successful choral director, music minister, and composer. Since earning a Masters of Church Music from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Musical Arts, Composition and Theory from the University of South Carolina, he’s had a wide range of experience in the musical field. At SMC, he will develop a touring choral ensemble, conduct SMC Singers, offer vocal instruction and teach music appreciation.

The additions of faculty will allow the College to continue to expand its unique course offerings for the two-year liberal arts institution.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th 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 program director Dr. Anne Bowles at bowlesa@smcsc.edu or (864) 587-4256.