SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  A new $4.8 million residence hall for Spartanburg Methodist College came a step closer to reality April 20 as the College’s Administration and Trustees joined members of the Sparrow family for a groundbreaking ceremony.

The new three-story, 30,471-square-foot residence hall is being named in memory of the parents of Mr. John Sparrow, a Lake City businessman, and in honor of the Sparrow family, strong supporters of SMC. Sparrow expressed thanks on behalf of his family for the opportunity to be part of the College’s future. 

“We believe that SMC is on a wonderful mission and we appreciate the Board of Trustees, administration and the faculty and all of you others who are helping to make this a successful jouney,” said Sparrow.

Sparrow and his wife, Juanita, were joined by several family members: their son, Wesley, a 1978 graduate of the College; Rev. Mike Alexander and his wife, Betsy, who is John Sparrow’s niece; Henry Sparrow, John’s nephew, an alumnus of the College and a former Director of Admissions; Henry’s wife, Linda Sparrow; and their daughter Susie Dekle.

Before ground was broken, SMC President, Dr. Charles Teague, members of the faculty and staff, and a student expressed their enthusiasm for the new residence Hall. Teague expressed his excitement about being able to accommodate more students in the new facility. Teague noted that Sparrow Residence Hall, which is located across the street from the recently-completed Bridges Residence Hall, will not only house more students, but will also have a larger lobby and share a beautiful new courtyard with the adjacent Barrett Learning Center. Another addition Teague noted was a new parking lot that will be constructed behind of Sparrow Residence Hall.

Rev. Candice Sloan, the College’s Chaplain, read the 84^th Psalm and gave a dedicatory prayer, giving thanks for the Sparrow family and praying for God’s guidance to the designers and builders as they work toward completion of the residence hall.

Dan Foster, Chairman of the SMC Board of Trustees, commended the Board’s Building and Grounds Committee, saying it would be hard to imagine the project’s outcome if it were not for their hard work. Foster also noted the professional assistance of the facility’s designer, McMillan - Smith Architects; the builders, Trehel Construction; and Landscape Architect, Mark Byington. Campus appearance, Foster said, is among the top three decisions students often consider in deciding which college to attend. With that said, Foster expressed confidence that the landscaping will enhance SMC’s attractiveness to prospective students.

“Upon this solid foundation, new generations of students will be accorded a nurturing environment from which to grow and prosper physically, spiritually and academically. The Sparrow family commitment to support the personal development of our young men and women is but an indication of their love for the traditions we share so dearly at Spartanburg Methodist College,” added Foster.

SMC Trustee, Patsy Simmons, Chairperson of the Building and Grounds Committee, expressed the possibility that Sparrow Hall could be opened to students as soon as August, 2006. “Your vision, John, and your dream symbolizes your faith in an education at SMC,” said Simmons, projecting that the new residence hall  would house as many as 7,000 students in the next 50 years, and that its presence would also benefit Summer School students as well as participants in athletic camps, conferences and seminars.

Joanndra “Shay” McCrea, a sophomore from Johnsonville, expressed gratitude to the Sparrow family for providing “a great living and learning environment.”  McCrea shared her vision that lifelong friendships would be developed in the form of activities programs, study halls, and making memories of the college experience.

“Bricks and mortar to a college are like flesh and bone to the human body,” said Dr. Arthur Hartzog, Dean of Students. “Permeating the physical nature of the bricks and mortar, however, is the spirit of the College begun with a vision and nurtured by those entrusted with it,” continued Hartzog.

Terry Stephenson, Chair of the Division of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Computer Science, stated that Sparrow Residence Hall “will enhance the quality of student life and therefore improve the learning environment of Spartanburg Methodist College.”

Teague reminded those attending the ceremony of the many contributions of John Sparrow and members of his family, including the H. Booker Sparrow Endowed Scholarship Fund, named for his father. The lobby in Bridges Residence Hall, Teague added, is also named for his father. “The Sparrow family and John himself have established the Many students come through this institution and receive support from the Sparrows in those ways,” said Teague.