Three faculty members and two staff members were honored this year for their dedication to providing an incredible atmosphere and experience for our students.
Each year, SMC’s faculty members choose recipients for three prestigious awards, the Archie Vernon and Margaret Wannamaker Huff Faculty Award, the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award, and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) Exemplary Teacher Award winner.
Dr. Dalicia Raymond was selected as the Huff Award winner for her commitment and dedication. She is an English professor who began teaching college in 2011. Dr. Raymond is also a previous winner of the SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award. She has two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s in English in literature and culture from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. in English, Medieval Studies, from the University of New Mexico. The Huff Award honors an SMC faculty member who exemplifies outstanding professional qualifications and teaching ability. It was founded in 1970 as an endowed fund by Dr. A.V. Huff, Jr., a former member of the SMC Board of Trustees, and his wife, Kate, in memory of his parents, Archie Vernon and Margaret Wannamaker Huff.
Dr. Judy Mirick was named this year’s SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award winner and has been with SMC’s science department, teaching physics and physical science, for five years. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, and her master’s and bachelor’s in physics, all from Clemson University. Dr. Mirick brings more than 20 years of teaching experience to the College. The SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes leading faculty members at each of the organization’s member schools. SCICU is a charitable organization that represents 20 liberal arts institutions in South Carolina, providing fundraising, scholarship funds, and research.
SMC faculty awarded Dr. Kim Duckett the GBHEM Exemplary Teacher Award. She has been a biology professor at SMC since 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Akron and her Ph.D. in Physiology from Kent State University. Prior to joining SMC, she taught science at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, Wofford College and Spartanburg Day School. The GBHEM Exemplary Teaching Award recognizes excellence in teaching, civility, and concern for students, institution, and the community. GBHEM is the leadership development agency of the United Methodist Church.
Two staff awards, voted on by SMC staff members, recognize non-faculty members for their contributions to the SMC campus and community.
The Dr. James S. Barrett Memorial Award was presented to Director of IT Services and Operations Christian Bryant. The award recognizes individuals who go out of their way to assist or support fundraising efforts. Barrett was a past president of SMC who organized the first fundraising campaign for the school and encouraged the practice of professional fundraising to help support the mission.
Dining Services Operations Manager Jamie McCoy earned the J.L. Geddis Award.
The award recognizes a staff member who has been at SMC for three years and displays excellence in creativity, leadership, teamwork, initiative and who makes special contributions to the institution. Geddis served many roles at SMC in his 41-year career, including business manager, vice president for business affairs, faculty member, and men’s golf coach.
