SMC to Hold First Fall Commencement in College History

Jeremy Handel

Staff Writer

For the first time in its 115-year history, Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) will hold a fall commencement ceremony, giving students who graduate in December the opportunity to celebrate their achievements without waiting until the following spring.

“Walking across that graduation stage is a huge milestone for college students, and it’s important for us to provide that opportunity to all of our graduates,” said Scott Cochran, president of SMC. “Adding a commencement in December will allow our fall grads to celebrate their accomplishment when they achieve it.”

The inaugural fall commencement will take place Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in Camak Auditorium on the SMC campus. Following the ceremony, the SMC Alumni Organization will host a reception for graduates and their guests in Ellis Hall.

Previously, students who completed their degrees during the fall semester had to wait until the following May to participate in commencement. The addition of a December ceremony will allow those graduates to enjoy the traditional graduation experience closer to the time they finish their studies.

The new ceremony also addresses a growing challenge for the College. As SMC has grown, accommodating graduates and their guests at the annual spring commencement has become increasingly difficult. By offering two ceremonies each year, the College can better accommodate its graduates and their families while preserving the personal experience that makes commencement such a special occasion.

The December ceremony will initially serve students who complete their degrees during the fall semester. Beginning in 2027, the College will expand the fall commencement to include students who graduate during the summer.