FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 11, 2008

SMC Receives 2 Corporate Gifts To Further Its Programs 

SPARTANBURG, SC – Spartanburg Methodist College recently received two corporate gifts which will help further the College’s programs. 

The Fujikura Foundation recently provided a $2,500 gift to the Campus Service Program at SMC. Pictured are (l-r) Corie Culp, Community Relations Manager, AFL Telecommunications; Jody Gallagher, President and CEO, AFL Telecommunications Don Tate, SMC Director of Development; Doug Baker, Project Manager, AFL Telecommunications; and Donda Bishop, Product Manager, AFL Telecommunications.

SMC President Dr. Charles Teague accepts a $11,500 check from Dr. Shiela Breitweiser, Vice-President/Executive Director for the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation. The grant combined with a contribution from the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has made possible the implementation of the AlcoholEdu program at SMC.

Spartanburg-based AFL Telecommunications recently provided a $2,500 gift on behalf of the Fujikura Foundation to the Campus Service program at SMC. 

For the past 11 years, SMC’s Campus Service program has provided 10 or more students who work in collaboration with the local Salvation Army, the ARCH Ministries program at Arcadia United Methodist Church, and Anderson Mill Elementary School. The SMC students provide nurturing and academic support while serving as positive role models for disadvantaged minority and Hispanic children ages K-12 and preschool children who have physical or developmental disabilities. 

“The Fujikura Foundation and AFL Telecommunications are committed to making a difference by investing in their communities. We are grateful for their thoughtful support to the Campus Service program at SMC as we work together to provide better learning opportunities for deserving students at an early age,” says Don Tate, SMC Director of Development. 

Also, a $11,500 grant has been provided to the College to assist in funding the AlcoholEdu program by the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation. 

AlcoholEdu is a nationwide, online program designed to increase alcohol awareness and was implemented at SMC this fall. All Freshmen have been required to take part in AlcoholEdu as a requirement for the SMC 101 course. 

The grant combined with a contribution from the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has made possible the implementation of the AlcoholEdu program at SMC. 

“We are very grateful for the contribution provided by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Foundation and for their continued partnership with Spartanburg Methodist College. We place our role as educators in very high regard and see the AlcoholEdu program as a method is which we can further educate students about other life issues that they may encounter outside the classroom,” says Tate. 

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 98th year of providing 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, contact Brian Fulkerson, Director of Public Information, at (864) 587-4254.