SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

SMC Professor, Hub City Writer’s Project
Publish Book on College’s History
Book Signing Scheduled For Oct. 21 On SMC Campus 

SPARTANBURG -- Spartanburg Methodist College and the Hub City Writers’ Project announce publication of Common Ties: A History of Textile Industrial Institute, Spartanburg Junior College, and Spartanburg Methodist College written by Dr. Katherine Davis Cann, Professor of History at SMC. 

The book traces the history of this unique college from its founding in 1911 to the end of the presidency of Dr. George Fields in 1997.  Established through the untiring efforts of a young Methodist minister, David English Camak, and with the support of prominent Spartanburg businessmen – including Walter S. Montgomery, Charles P. Hammond, and J. Wright Nash – Textile Industrial Institute provided basic education for adult textile workers through a work-study program.  Over the years, the school evolved into an accredited two year college associated with the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. 

From the beginning, SMC has played a vital role in the academic life of the Spartanburg community and the state of South Carolina.  In researching the history of the college through its three identities, Dr. Cann explored the college archives, the records of the South Carolina Methodist Conference, and conducted dozens of interviews with former students, administrators, and faculty.  The result is a carefully documented account of the development of the institution and its impact on the lives of its students. 

In the words of Dr. A. V. Huff, Jr., former Vice President of Academic Affairs at Furman University, Dr. Cann’s book is “a gem of historical writing.” 

Spartanburg Methodist College will host a celebration of the publication of Common Ties on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the William S. Moore Student Athletic Activities Building on the SMC campus.  Copies of the book will be available for sale at that time, and the author will be present to personalize them. In addition, Common Ties may be purchased at the SMC bookstore on campus or ordered from Hub City Writers’ Project, PO Box 8421, Spartanburg, SC 29305 (www.hubcity.org). 

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 96th year of providing a 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 Kathy Cann, Professor of History, at (864) 587-4217.