FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 8, 2009

SMC Names 7th President

Dr. Colleen Keith To Lead SMC Into Its Second Century

SPARTANBURG, SC -- The Spartanburg Methodist College Board of Trustees on Tuesday named Dr. Colleen Perry Keith as the seventh president of the college.

Dr. Keith will lead the college into its second century and succeeds President Charles P. Teague who is retiring, effective July 1, 2009, after serving as President for 12 years. She currently serves as Executive Director of Development at Ohio University in Athens, OH. 

Phyllis DeLapp, college trustee and member of the search committee, noted that “Spartanburg Methodist College will reap significant benefits from the leadership skills that Dr. Keith brings to the college.”

Dr. Keith, a native of upstate New York, has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, in capacities such as student service roles, program development, teaching, fund raising, and administration.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from State University of New York in Binghamton, a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. 

While serving in her current role at Ohio University, Dr. Keith also teaches courses in the Master of Business Administration and Master of Communication degree programs at Franklin University.  She previously taught in the freshman program at both The Ohio State University and Rogers State College. 

Her academic career includes a decade at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio where her responsibilities as Executive Vice President included oversight for business and finance, operations, buildings and grounds, personnel and benefits offices, budget creation and management.  As Vice President for Development at the Ohio Seminary, she led the staff in planning and implementing a $30 million campaign that surpassed its goal.

“The [Spartanburg Methodist College] Board of Trustees sought an individual with strong fundraising skills to lead the college to the next level of excellence.  Dr. Keith’s experience in that area is outstanding,” said Bill Painter, board member and chair of the presidential search committee

Dr. Keith began her career in higher education working as an advising specialist at Rogers State College, formerly a two-year public college, in Oklahoma. She continued in a similar role at The Ohio State University regional campus in Marion, OH, serving as a program manager and academic advisor. 

She will be one of only eight female college presidents in South Carolina when she assumes her duties as SMC President on July 1. Only three of those institutions, including SMC, are members of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

SMC faculty and staff, who had the opportunity to meet Dr. Keith on campus during the first week of April, perceived Dr. Keith as personable and a “wonderful candidate.”  They praised her spirit, insightfulness, and communication skills.

Upon accepting the Spartanburg Methodist College presidency, Dr. Keith said, “I was attracted to this position because Spartanburg Methodist College has a reputation for providing an outstanding educational experience to young people.  I am excited to work closely with the faculty and staff as we guide the college into its second century.  The college has served the state of South Carolina, the Spartanburg community, and the United Methodist Church with distinction.  I look forward to becoming a part of a long-standing tradition of academic excellence in a church-related environment.” 

Dr. Keith’s husband Barry is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years experience and is also a varsity high school baseball coach. Dr. Keith has a son who attends Miami University of Ohio.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 98th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.