June 30, 2006                                                         

Hammond Family Gifts Strengthen SMC

Will Fund Scholarship, Hammond Hall Renovations

Pictured in front of Hammond Hall are (from left): Gaines Hammond III; Sims Hammond; Dan Foster, Spartanburg Methodist College Trustee Chairman; Will Hammond; Jane Erwin Hammond; and Charles P. Teague, President of Spartanburg Methodist College. The Hammonds are the children of Dr. Gaines W. Hammond and the great-grandchildren of Charles Perry Hammond, for whom the historic building is named.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. –  The family of Dr. Gaines W. Hammond Jr. of Spartanburg has provided funding to establish the Hammond Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship and to help renovate Hammond Residence hall at Spartanburg Methodist College.

The Hammond family established the scholarship to help SMC students on the basis of financial need, outstanding character and academic merit. More than 90 percent of the SMC student body requires financial assistance to complete their degree requirements.

Hammond Hall, a men’s residence hall, was originally named for Charles Perry Hammond, the grandfather of Dr. Hammond. Charles Perry Hammond served on the College’s Board of Trustees for more than 40 years and was instrumental in helping found the institution. Constructed in1913, Hammond Hall is the oldest existing structure on the SMC campus.

These commitments were also very meaningful in helping the College secure the $1 million Ellis Challenge Grant that has provided funding for the College’s current campus development projects.