Spartanburg Methodist College’s Psi Beta Chapter is pleased to announce that Hope Blackley, Clerk of Court for Spartanburg County, will present “The Ugly Face of Domestic Violence” on Thursday, October 17th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Gibbs Auditorium located within the Edgar H. Ellis Jr. Hall on the campus of SMC. The public is invited and admission is free of charge.
Blackley started her professional career working in the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in 1997 as a Child Victim Advocate, where she assisted and prepared children for criminal court, directed bond court and restitution hearings. In 2004, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford appointed her Crime Victims’ Ombudsman for the state, where she investigated complaints made by crime victims against criminal and juvenile court systems. On March 5, 2010, Governor Sanford, appointed Blackley to the position of Spartanburg County Clerk of Court, where she currently manages the day to day operations of the courthouse and court system.
Born and raised in Spartanburg, Blackley is a graduate of Dorman High School, an alumnus of South Carolina State University, a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church and serves on several boards such as Spartanburg Mobile Meals, United Way of the Piedmont, Converse College-Board of Visitors, SC Victim Service Coordinating Council and Carolina Pregnancy Center.
The SMC Psi Beta chapter, chartered on September 1, 1988, is under the direction of psychology professor Dr. Mary Jane Farmer, with assistance from Pete Aylor, psychology professor and Director of SMC’s Counseling Center, and college Counselor Sue Onken. To date, there have been 376 SMC students who have achieved life-time membership to Psi Beta.
Membership to PSI BETA is by invitation only. To be considered students must have at least 12 college credits, earn a B or higher in PSYC 101, maintain a 3.25 GPA and be of good moral character. Psi Beta provides students with opportunities to acquire leadership skills, interact with faculty outside the classroom, learn more about the professional and educational choices available in psychology, meet outstanding professionals in psychology, participate in community service, meet peers with similar interests, and be involved with Psi Beta on the national level.