News

SMC to Add Basketball, Volleyball and Wrestling for Fall 2022

In keeping with its ongoing mission of providing affordable, high-quality education, including the total college life experience, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees, during its regular meeting on May 12, unanimously authorized the SMC administration to revive four additional intercollegiate sports for Fall 2022: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Wrestling.

Short Story Written at SMC Inspiring Author's New Book

Amanda Barber grew up reading voraciously, free library books her refuge. “There was no greater pleasure than getting lost in the plot of a thick book,” said the 2012 SMC graduate. When she was 11, Berber found a pink journal with a mouse on the cover tucked in her Christmas stocking.

Region's Economy Poised for Growth

Flying cars “The Jetsons” promised have not yet materialized, though that may be forgotten with the advent of drones large enough to carry passengers. Southwestern Michigan College hosted a “Future of the Economy” panel discussion Sept. 29 for which co-host Market Van Buren Executive Director Zachary Morris set the stage by reminding the audience of the past 10 years’ transformative changes.

Even Birdwatching Has Gone High-Tech

For Southwestern Michigan College anatomy and physiology Professor Dr. Anna Norris, “One of the most fascinating things about birdwatching is that you can literally do it anywhere.” “Waiting in the Meijer parking lot, oh my gosh, there’s a flock of blue jays! Or, you’re sitting in the Taco Bell drive-through and the bushes are loaded with little brown birds,” she said of her hobby.

Real sawdust flies at SMC’s Sawdust Day

When it comes to show-and-tell, Big C Lumber President/CEO Bill Wallace likes to tell high schoolers attending Southwestern Michigan College’s Sawdust Day they “can start at the ground level, grow with a company” and create a career. Wallace Oct. 7 showed them Dallas Austin of Cassopolis, Brittany Almaguer of Niles and Missy Swink of Decatur.

Rand Rusher, a Nurse for 30+ Years, Specializes in Cosmetic Aesthetics

“Beverly Hills’ lovable injector to the stars” is how the 1989 Southwestern Michigan College nursing graduate was described in the trailer for Rand Rusher’s reality show, Pretty Hurts. How does someone from Niles end up in Los Angeles, let alone with a reality show?

SMC Student Athletes Come From 62 High Schools

Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees Oct. 12 heard a report on the academic impact of restoring NJCAA athletics after a 25-year absence.

Dr. Joe Addresses Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. Joe Odenwald, keynote speaker for Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting Oct. 12 at Elks Lodge 889, said, “What we exchange in commerce is far more than money. We exchange our lives. It’s about relationships, first and foremost.”

2021 SMC Graduate Spent Year Studying in Germany Before Heading to Cleveland

A year after setting out for Germany to live as an exchange student during his high school senior year, 2021 Southwestern Michigan College graduate Creed Roschyk embarked for Cleveland. Roschyk moved to Case Western Reserve University in August to study biomedical engineering, followed by medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon.

SMC Students Creating Zentangle Coloring Books

Perhaps aspiring graphic designers in Southwestern Michigan College’s Two-Dimensional Design class thought they’d seen the last of coloring books and crayons. They have and they haven’t. For instructor Sherrie Styx’s project students are creating coloring books with their original drawings. Perhaps aspiring graphic designers in Southwestern Michigan College’s Two-Dimensional Design class thought they’d seen the last of coloring books and crayons. They have and they haven’t. For instructor Sherri