SMC Confers More Than 400 Degrees at Commencement

Luna Orozco Provides Senior Message

Excitement, anticipation, and joy were the leading emotions of the day as hundreds of Spartanburg Methodist College students gathered at Spartanburg High School for the 2026 graduation ceremony.

SMC’s 115th graduating class once again broke a record for the number of graduates, with 415 degrees conferred. The class consisted of a record 77 bachelor’s degree and 338 associate degree recipients.

“This is a tremendous milestone. You’ve worked hard, you’ve persevered, and when you walk across this stage, it will all have been worth it,” SMC President Scott Cochran told the graduates.

Senior business administration major Luna Orozco, who was chosen by her peers as the Yandle Senior Class Leader, provided the student address.

“SMC didn’t just give us an education; it gave us a community where we grew into ourselves,” said Orozco in her speech. “Our professors didn’t just teach us; they connected with us. To the graduating class, choose connection; choose compassion. Reach out to your community – not just when you need to, but when they need you.”

In addition to the Yandle award, Orozco was also the first-place finisher at the College’s APEX Showcase, a capstone project presentation that is the culmination of SMC’s signature professional development program – The Camak Core.

In addition to conferring degrees, Cochran also made two special presentations. First, he awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree to SMC’s long-serving registrar Jill Johnson. Johnson earned her associate degree from SMC in 1982 but had to move on to another school to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees because SMC did not offer them at the time. Cochran conferred the honorary degree in recognition of her 41 years of service to the College and its students.

Cochran also presented the Archie Vernon and Margaret Wannamaker Huff Faculty Award to Dr. Sarah Frederickson, math professor and chair of the math and computer science department.