News

SMC Presents ‘Shrek: The Musical’

“Shrek” Director Andrew Fisher has his own backstory with Southwestern Michigan College’s spring musical. Fisher played Donkey in the spirit of Eddie Murphy’s film rendition, while Matthew Hickok of Niles in his current 28-member cast takes the role in a “different direction” inspired by Looney Tunes.

Close to Home is Close to This Roadrunner's Heart

It’s been 30 years since Tonya Cosey graduated from Southwestern Michigan College. As a “proud Chieftain,” the 1988 Union High School graduate still calls Dowagiac home. Cosey worked as an outpatient therapist for 22 years and is currently clinical supervisor for adult outpatient, adult case management, children’s outpatient and adult peer support services for Cassopolis-based Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network.

SMC Board Reflects on Progress Since COVID, Approves New Medical Credential

For the fifth anniversary of COVID-19, President Dr. Joe Odenwald reflected for the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees March 12 on the pandemic’s legacy. “Are we better than we were five years ago as a college?” Odenwald posed a question he answered, “Yes, we are.”

SMC Celebrates Female Composers

Southwestern Michigan College’s “Her Song” choir concert March 7 celebrated a millennia of music from female composers and arrangers. Director of Choral Activities David Carew led the newly-formed Uccelli Canori (“Songbirds”), the Men’s Ensemble, Choral Scholars and the Collegiate Chorale in collaboration with Professor Dr. Maria DeRose for Women’s History Month.

"Legend" SMC Band Concert Features Percussion Clinic

“Legend,” Southwestern Michigan College’s winter band concert, as the culmination of Percussion Clinic Day Feb. 28, featured 15 percussionists from six area schools. Earlier in the day students worked with clinicians Dan Ingman, SMC’s second-year percussion instructor, and vibraphonist Margaret Parker of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps based in Canton, Ohio and Drum Corps International World Class Champions in 2016 and 2024.

She Talks for a Living

Annette Hover Weston had wanted to be a journalist since she was 11. She remains one today, though made her way through print and news broadcasting coast to coast to reach her specialized perch — talk radio. Her future destination was prophesied in high school in Van Buren County, where she graduated with Lawrence’s Class of 1987.

SMC Hosts Fifth Bands Clinic with U-M Director

Southwestern Michigan College’s fifth annual Bands Clinic Day Feb. 14 featured six area school bands and almost 350 musicians critiqued by University of Michigan Director of Bands Jason K. Fettig to polish March Southwestern Michigan Band and Orchestra Association (SWMBOA) festival programs.

Timing is Everything for a Transport Nurse

Melissa “Lissa” (Hollis) Borders of Niles (’03) never intended to become a nurse. She thought it was “gross.” Today, she’s a pediatric critical care transport nurse who has been with Beacon Health System for 22 years.

SMC Enrollment Up For Sixth Straight Semester, Board Discusses Presidency

At its regular meeting on Feb.12, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees set October as a target time to discuss selecting a permanent president. Last week on Feb. 6, the board accepted President Dr. Joe Odenwald’s resignation and unanimously appointed long-time administrator Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brent Brewer as interim president, effective May 11.

SMC Board of Trustees Appoints Brent Brewer as Interim President

At a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees accepted President Dr. Joe Odenwald’s resignation with regret and unanimously appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brent Brewer as interim president, effective May 11, 2025, subject to contract negotiations.