Spartanburg Community College (SCC) is a public community college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The college serves the citizens of Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties in Upstate South Carolina.

History

In 1971, the South Carolina General Assembly recognized the need for affordable, accessible higher education and commissioned a study on creating a community college system. This led to the passing of Act 1268 in 1972[3], establishing the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education[4] and allowing technical colleges to offer college-transfer programs.

As a result, Spartanburg Technical College (STC) was officially named, and throughout the next few decades, it expanded its programs, campuses, and impact. By 1984, enrollment had grown to 1,653 students[5]. The college added new facilities, including the Tracy J. Gaines Learning Resource Center and the Industrial Training Facility, strengthening its role in workforce development.

The 1990s brought another leap forward with the launch of the University Transfer Program, giving students a more affordable path to a four-year degree. By the late 1990s, STC had transformed into a comprehensive community college. A state-of-the-art Health Sciences facility, student services building, and major campus renovations followed, ensuring students had access to modern resources.

In the 2000s, STC continued to expand with the addition of an Associate Degree in Nursing[6], the Cherokee County Campus, and the Tyger River Campus in Duncan. These locations provided more students with access to quality education and workforce training. The Library Learning Resource Center, completed in 2007, enhanced research and academic support.

Recognizing its broad impact beyond technical education, the college made a bold move in 2006 to rename itself Spartanburg Community College—a name that better reflected its mission of serving the entire community with diverse academic and workforce programs.[5]

Mascot

Chaser (April 28, 2004 – July 23, 2019) was a Border Collie[7]—she was the world’s smartest dog[8], with the largest tested memory of any non-human animal. Trained by Dr. John Pilley[9] in Spartanburg, South Carolina[10], Chaser learned to recognize and retrieve 1,022 toys by name[11], a feat that amazed scientists and dog lovers alike.

Chaser was more than a research subject—she was family. A gift from Pilley’s wife, Sally, for his 76th birthday, she quickly became his lifelong companion. Her name came from an early adventure when she enthusiastically chased after a speeding red Jeep.[12]

In November 2021, Chaser’s legacy took on a new chapter when she was named the first official mascot in Spartanburg Community College’s history, symbolizing intelligence, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge.[13]

Campuses

Spartanburg Community College has multiple locations:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Grace, Colton (November 2, 2021). "Spartanburg Community College Reports Record Enrollment, Significant Increases in Adult-Student Population and Unveils First Mascot in College History". www.sccsc.edu (Press release). Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  2. ^ Anderson-Hucks, Cheri (May 26, 2020). "Dr. Michael Mikota Named SCC President". www.sccsc.edu (Press release). Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Senate Bill 1268 Information; 1971-1972 Regular Session - The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly". Senate Bill 1268 Information; 1971-1972 Regular Session - The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  4. ^ https://www.scstatehouse.gov/Archives/aar2014/H59.pdf
  5. ^ a b https://open.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2031&context=all_dissertations
  6. ^ CC, Spartanburg. "Nursing". www.sccsc.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  7. ^ "Border Collie", Wikipedia, 2025-03-17, retrieved 2025-03-20
  8. ^ Boyle, Rebecca (2010-12-23). "Video: Smartest Dog Ever Can Pick Out 1,022 Toys By Name". Popular Science. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  9. ^ "John W. Pilley", Wikipedia, 2024-11-27, retrieved 2025-03-20
  10. ^ "Spartanburg, South Carolina", Wikipedia, 2025-03-15, retrieved 2025-03-20
  11. ^ "Chaser (dog)", Wikipedia, 2025-02-06, retrieved 2025-03-20
  12. ^ "Chaser (dog)", Wikipedia, 2025-02-06, retrieved 2025-03-20
  13. ^ Swann, Samantha. "Spartanburg Community College's new 'Chasers' mascot encourages students to chase dreams". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartanburg_Community_College
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