Current Issue: Fall 2019
Here We Grow Again – For the third consecutive year, SMC welcomes the largest freshman class in college history
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. As reports of declining college enrollments nationwide continue to dominate headlines, Spartanburg Methodist College is bucking the trend. For the third consecutive year, SMC’s freshman class is the largest since the College’s founding in 1911. The College also set a record for the [...]
SMC Welcomes The First Bachelor’s Degree Students
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. After two years of record-breaking freshman enrollment levels, this year’s summer orientation for new students included another milestone class: The first bachelor’s degree students in SMC’s history were officially welcomed to campus during a special orientation session on August 20. “You’re a historic [...]
What Is The Camak Core and Why Is It Important? Five Burning Questions with Courtney Shelton
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. SMC's Camak Core is an innovative career preparation program at the heart of SMC's new Bachelor's Degree. We asked Courtney Shelton, Vice President for Professional Development and Design and Coordinator of the Camak Core, to answer five burning questions about the new program. [...]
Building Career Skills in the Community – Camak Core Students Learn to Solve Problems in Distressed Neighborhoods
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. "First thing you need to know: this is not a poverty tour,” said Dr. Jonathan Keisler, Professor of Business and Chair of the BA Program. He was behind the wheel of a parked and swelteringly hot passenger van, his body turned to face [...]
Leaders of the PAC – The Pioneer Advising Center Team Eases the College Transition
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. For Kathleen Crozier, “seeing young people set goals and accomplish them is very rewarding.” That’s why she enjoys her work as a staff member with the Pioneer Advising Center, or PAC, which began advising students in the spring of 2019. The four-person team, [...]
Donor Spotlight: Evelyn and Scott Middleton See SMC as a Pillar of Opportunity for the Local Community
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. When you ask Evelyn Middleton why she invests so much in Spartanburg Methodist College, you can immediately hear excitement bubble in her voice. For her, supporting SMC is a point of deep personal pride. “I wish I could put into words how wonderful [...]
Leading On and Off the Field – Elma Nfor ’16 Pays Forward the Positivity He Brought to SMC
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Elma Nfor first learned to play soccer in Cameroon, the country in which he was born. “In Cameroon, everyone plays soccer. It’s basically a religion,” Elma says. “I learned to play as a child and fell in love with the sport. When we [...]
A Lofty Goal – Larsen Fralix Plans Career as Missionary Pilot
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Most SMC students aim to fly high, but freshman Larsen Fralix literally soars above it all. Not only did Fralix juggle her course load as an SMC business major, but she’s also attended flight school and is training to become a professional pilot [...]
Supporting Victims, Creating Survivors
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. They provide support and compassion for those in desperate situations. They work to solve issues that are shocking, yet remain hidden to most in their community. Spartanburg Methodist College graduates Elizabeth Renneker, Zan Raymond, and Donna Phillips work on domestic violence and Special [...]
Looking Back – A Path to Success Paved by SMC
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. If you’ve done business with the healthcare industry in South Carolina, you’ve likely encountered one of Gary Cooper’s businesses. Gary Cooper is a prolific entrepreneur whose endeavors include hospice care, home medical equipment, pharmacies, and more. Over the past two decades, he has [...]
Board Member Spotlight – Pat Henry
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Most high schools these days have robust counseling programs to help their students decide on a college that’s best suited to their interests and qualifications. There was little of that kind of support at Conway High School when Spartanburg Methodist College Board Member [...]
Class Notes – Fall 2019
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. 1954 Mr. Hoyle Edwards Mr. Edwards is retired from Baltimore MD County Schools. He is in his 25th year teaching at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. 1957 The Reverend Harry R. Stullenbarger Reverend Stullenbarger served as a United Methodist minister, serving churches in South [...]
In Memoriam – Fall 2019
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Mrs. Mary Smith Thrower ‘39 of North Charleston, SC, died December 18, 2017. Mr. Randolph Bowen Bradford ’40 of Pauline, SC, died September 8, 2019. Mr. James L. Littlejohn ‘40 of Jonesville, SC, died April 14, 2019. Ms. Evelyn Stanley Long ‘41 of [...]
Alumni Profile – Albert Rose, Class of 1993
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. If you asked Albert Rose to categorize his work as a financial representative with Principal Financial Group in one word, he would pick service. “I feel called to serve and help others through smart financial and retirement planning,” he says. “People live in [...]
Alumni Profile – David Padgett, Class of 1988
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Officer David Padgett was selected as a finalist for the 2019 Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Police Relations Award for his work with the Latin American Coalition. Padgett has worked closely with the Latin American Coalition over the last five years to find a location [...]
Alumni Profile – Tina Humphries, Class of 1990
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. As the principal of James H. Hendrix Elementary IB World School, Tina Humphries champions education, life-long-learning and vibrant community—values indelibly linked to her years at SMC. At 18, however, Tina’s focus was not in the academic arena, but in the athletic one. She [...]
Alumni Profile – Terry Hall, Class of 1979
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. Terry Hall is the owner and operator of Larry’s Trophy’s along with his two sons, Christopher and Andrew, and he is also an enthusiastic supporter of Spartanburg Methodist College. “The College invests in their students and makes school affordable for young people who [...]
Alumni Profile – Jerry Stokes, Class of 1968
This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. “Running teaches you about life,” Jerry Stokes says. “In a marathon, your body tells you to quit, but you have to persevere. A marathon teaches you to push past your doubts in order to keep chasing the goal.” Persevering is something Jerry Stokes [...]