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Luther Receives Alumni Arts and Humanities Award

Led SMC Singers in 1970s

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Doris Luther of Norfolk, Va. Received the Alumni Arts and Humanities Award April 1 at Spartanburg Methodist College, during Alumni Weekend.

Luther joined the SMC staff after moving to Spartanburg in 1967 when her husband Bill became manager of Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. For the next 12 years, Doris taught music courses at the College and led the SMC Singers. "This college has been an important part of our lives," Luther said, recalling how in the 1970s the singers cris-crossed South Carolina in buses, singing at various Methodist Churches in the S.C. Conference and raising awareness of the College. Dr. James Barrett, former College President, had launched a building program and wanted to make congregations in the Conference award of positive developments on the campus. Luther characterized each touring group as being similar to an

athletic team with one common goal. She recalled touring with groups of as many as 80 members, and how the numbers were pared down when gasoline shortages hit during the 1970s. Luther concluded that she maintains strong ties to the area with a son and grandchildren in Spartanburg, a daughter who serves as an ordained Methodist minister in the S.C. Conference, and another daughter who attended SMC.