Dr. Cole Cheek Awarded Tenure at SMC

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Board of Trustees at Spartanburg Methodist College voted to award tenure to Dr. Cole Cheek, Professor of History and Anthropology during their Thursday, May 21, 2015 meeting.

In higher education, tenure may be pursued and granted based on a rigorous review process conducted by peers, administrators, and Trustees. According to Dr. Ann Bowles, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Spartanburg Methodist College, “a faculty member’s eligibility for tenure is determined first by teaching ability, followed by a combination of student advising, community service to the campus, professional development activities, and research/scholarship. Dr. Cheek is an asset to SMC. He is an engaging professor who encourages student involvement in student organizations as well as research. He is committed to the holistic development of our students and to preparing them for the next step in their college career.”

Cheek began his teaching career as Professor of History at SMC in the fall of 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Millsaps College, and his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from Mississippi State University. Cheek advises several student organizations including Kappa Sigma Alpha service society and Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society. He is a vital member of the Upstate Research Symposium planning committee and has brought recognition to a number of SMC student-researchers during the annual symposium competition.

Cheek was the 2013 recipient of the Archie Vernon and Margaret Wannamaker Huff Faculty Prize by his colleagues in 2013 for outstanding professional qualifications, demonstration of exceptional service and teaching skill. He also received the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Exemplary Teaching Award in 2011 for service to students beyond the classroom, and commitment to values-centered education. Cheek and his wife, Amanda, reside in Moore, South Carolina.

About SMC

SMC is South Carolina’s only private, residential college exclusively for freshmen and sophomore students and one of only four colleges in South Carolina affiliated with the United Methodist Church. SMC’s mission is to transform lives in a values-oriented, student-centered atmosphere in the Christian tradition that encourages academic excellence, intellectual exploration, social awareness, and character development within the liberal arts tradition. Spartanburg Methodist College, founded in 1911, is proud of its heritage of providing “the opportunity TO BE your best and the inspiration TO DO great things.”