SPARTANBURG -- Spartanburg Methodist College held its annual convocation ceremonies Wednesday to mark the official start of its academic year.

Rev. John Hipp, an SMC Board of Trustees member and graduate of the College, gave the keynote address, relating his experiences as an SMC student to those in attendance.

Hipp charged the students to “live, laugh, and learn” throughout their time at SMC and throughout their college career.

Installation of Student Government Assocition President Abby Harper was also held during convocation.

Harper, of West Columbia, SC, is the daughter of Michael and Valerie Harper.

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 public information director Brian Fulkerson at (864) 587-4254.