SMC Hits Historical “100 Percent” Milestone In Faculty/Staff Campaign

02/09/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Spartanburg, SC -- Spartanburg Methodist College has just completed its most successful Faculty/Staff Campaign in the history of the college.

As of the Feb. 1, SMC has achieved a goal of 100 percent participation from its full-time campus family, including faculty and staff.

Securing the 100 percent giving was a result of efforts from several groups, including the SMC Board of Trustees, who have made gifts and commitments approaching $5 million since mid-summer 2010; the leadership giving of the President's Cabinet, which is comprised of the college's four vice presidents and dean of students; and a group of campus volunteers who approached fellow employees to ask for an ambitious 100 percent level of participation campus-wide.
 
"This feat is one to be very proud of and one that you would not likely have heard of another college or university reaching.  For this landmark to come as the college is celebrating 100 years of service is especially gratifying," says Don Tate, director of development.

"We recognize that alumni and friends who consider investing in the work of SMC take a strong look at the level of support from those who know the college best.  This 100 percent participation speaks volumes on how our college community feels about our leadership and our direction for the future,"" Tate adds.

SMC employees are equally as enthused about giving to the college's annual efforts and excited about the 100 percent faculty/staff participation.

"I am so proud for our college to be able to boast that we have 100 percent participation in faculty and staff giving.  This is huge.  SMC is dear to me and it is rewarding that all my colleagues are on-board with this capital campaign.  There would not be a better time to have 100 percent participation than in our 100th year," comments registrar Jill Johnson, a 26-year employee and 1982 alum of the college.

Director of Housing and Residence Life Stacey Mason, who has worked at the college for eight years, says that giving to the SMC is something she is proud of because of opportunities the college provides its students.

"I give to SMC because it provides students with an exceptional education, in a family environment.  The opportunities for students to participate in an array of clubs, organizations, and leadership positions while living on campus gives each student varied experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.  SMC becomes not just where you attended college; it becomes a part of who you are," says Mason.

SMC officials are encouraged by this milestone as the college enters the early stages of a multi-million dollar campaign called  "Pioneering the Future: the Centennial Campaign for Spartanburg Methodist College."

The campaign will help make way for a new academic building which will be a centerpiece for the campus, make major renovations to existing structures, and increase the capacity to serve financially challenged students. 

"A new, state-of-the-art, academic building has been on my wish list for many years, and now with this centennial campaign in progress, I can finally see the reality.  What a way to begin the next century of service," Johnson states.

As part of the celebration for this achievement, all employees were treated to a pizza luncheon on campus.  Sodexo, Inc. and Affiliates, the campus food service organization, provided a huge cake with the following script:  "100 YEARS AND 100% GIVING."

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th 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 or publicinfo@smcsc.edu