SMC Recognizes Outstanding Faculty, Staff Efforts
Jeremy Handel
Staff Writer
Each year, the faculty and staff at Spartanburg Methodist College honor their colleagues with five prestigious awards to recognize their efforts in the classroom, in support of the campus community, and in helping raise funds for future endeavors.
This year, the faculty chose three veteran members to receive 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. In addition, the staff made their selections for the Dr. James S. Barrett Memorial Award and the J.L. Geddis Award.
Dr. Jennifer Hyder has been with SMC for eight years as a Professor of Biology. She also serves as the Chair of the Sciences and Health Department. Prior to SMC, Dr. Hyder an instructor at the University of South Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Ph.D. in Biology at the University of South Florida. 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.
The South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award went to Dr. Taylor Brickley, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Dr. Brickley has been teaching at SMC since 2020 and taught criminal justice at Mars Hill University and Armstrong State University before that. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Radford University, a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Armstrong State, and his Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. 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.
Courtney Gordon, Biology Professor, earned the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) Exemplary Teaching Award. She has been at SMC since 2016, starting as an adjunct lab instructor and moving up to associate professor in 2019. Gordon earned her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at Brigham Young University and her Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Florida. Prior to SMC, she also taught at Spartanburg Community College and served as a teaching assistant at Florida. 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.
Each year, the staff and faculty combine to choose the J.L. Geddis Award, which 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. This year’s winner is Curtis Tyus, a Custodian in the housekeeping department. Tyus has been with SMC for five years and was recognized for his hard work and great attitude. 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.
Finally, the Advancement Department named Radhika Vaid as this year’s Dr. James S. Barrett Memorial Award winner. Vaid is the Marketing Content Manager and was recognized for her efforts in helping Advancement to promote the various fundraising efforts for the college. Dr. 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. His son, Rob, presented the award.