News

Plainwell’s Alex Blanton Signs with SMC Cross Country

Plainwell High School’s Alex Blanton May 5 signed a letter of intent for Southwestern Michigan College’s fall return to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) cross country.

Admissions Counselor Also an Accomplished Angler

William Mathews considered dropping out of college after an unsatisfactory experience at an Illinois community college. Then his cousin told him about Southwestern Michigan College, from which he graduated with honors in 2017, transferred to Grand Valley State University to complete his bachelor’s degree in marketing and, since April 12, has been back at SMC employed as an admissions counselor.

New-Student Orientations Beginning Soon at SMC

As the weather starts to warm up and plans for commencement are in full swing, attention at Southwestern Michigan College is also turning towards registering new students for Fall 2021. All students starting at SMC for the first time are expected to complete a two-part orientation, and the first of ten sessions is scheduled for May 7.

SMC Co-Sponsors Law Day with Cass County Bar Association

Southwestern Michigan College co-sponsored Law Day with the Cass County Bar Association. Activities accomplished by linking SMC’s “Zoom Room” in the Barbara Wood Building on the Dowagiac campus with the Cass County Law and Courts Building in Cassopolis included JP4 Government CEO John Proos’s keynote address on “Advancing the Rule of Law Now” and the presentation of Liberty Bell awards to Mary Geegan Middleton and Frankie Williams Jr., who served 42 years as Cassopolis police chief.

SMC Business Honor Society Inducts Five

Five high-achieving Southwestern Michigan College graduating students were inducted April 30 into Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG), the international community college business honor society. They represent the latest group of SMC’s growing honors student population.

Rogalski, Roschyk Accorded SMC Math-Science Awards

Southwestern Michigan College’s Math/Science Department April 30 paid tribute to a pair of powerhouse students, Jossalyn Rogalski and Creed Roschyk.

Southwestern Michigan College Responds to Michigan HB 4401

Last week, the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee proposed a new formula for funding Michigan’s community colleges. The proposal would shift from a base State appropriation to funding per a three-year average of Fiscal Year Equated Students. In essence, this would transfer State aid primarily to larger and more urban colleges and drastically reduce the appropriations for the rural colleges, including SMC.

Mishawaka’s Bailee Shambaugh Signs with SMC Cross Country

Mishawaka High School’s Bailee Shambaugh April 19 signed a letter of intent for Southwestern Michigan College’s fall return to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) cross country.

Grant Lubbert Lands $1,000 Scholarship for Grand Valley

After graduating from Southwestern Michigan College May 14, Grant Lubbert will continue this fall at Grand Valley State University with the help of a $1,000 Community College Distinguished Graduate Scholarship. SMC President Dr. Joe Odenwald selected Lubbert from a pool of candidates evaluated for the honor.

SMC Psychology Panel Provides Pandemic Perspective

Southwestern Michigan College’s Psychology Club and Psi Beta, the national community college honor society, April 13 provided a hopeful pandemic perspective with a virtual panel discussion on Zoom.