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.

Two Women Address SMC’s 54th Commencements

Two women graduating at different stages in their lives spoke at Southwestern Michigan College’s 54th Commencements May 14-15 in Alumni Plaza on the Dowagiac campus. Their stories intersect when they talk about SMC’s impact.

SMC Graduating 87 with Honors

“I’m standing here today at only 18 years old as the first in my family to graduate from college,” said Jossalyn Rogalski, Southwestern Michigan College’s student speaker for May 12’s Outstanding Graduate Reception.

Library Hosts Honors Program Showcase

Ten research poster presentations by Southwestern Michigan College Honors Program students are showcased in Fred L. Mathews Library on the Dowagiac campus. Posters are usually displayed in the Art Gallery with their creators on hand at a reception, but with social distancing restricting gatherings, the library was used to spread out the research projects.

Union Runner Signs with SMC Cross Country

Raegan Del Guanto May 11 signed a letter of intent for Southwestern Michigan College’s fall return to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) cross country. Del Guanto, of Union, joins Mishawaka’s Bailee Shambaugh and Coloma’s Vanessa Crisenbery committed to the Roadrunners for Fall 2021, along with six men, Alex Blanton of Plainwell, Robert “Buster” Ward, William Westphal and Ben Gillesby of Cassopolis, Gavin Smith of Decatur and Samuel Reed-Loomis of Otsego.

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.