News

SMC Names Ariana Dampier as Head Coach, Women’s Basketball

Southwestern Michigan College announced today that Ariana Dampier will join the athletic department as Head Coach, Women’s Basketball. SMC’s new fulltime head coach earned an associate degree in psychology in 2017 from Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Ill. In 2020, she completed a bachelor’s in psychology from Governors State University in University Park.

Record Cast of 39 at ETS Theatre Camp at Beckwith

Southwestern Michigan College’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Dowagiac’s Beckwith Theatre partnered to present a free two-week Summer Youth Program that attracted a record 39 participants from across the area. Camp culminates with free public performances June 27 at 7 p.m. and June 28 at 2 p.m. of the five-scene spoof by Don Zolidis, “How to Get Away With a Murder Mystery.” Southwestern Michigan College’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Dowagiac’s Beckwith Theatre partnered to present

164 Attend SMC's Seventh STEM Camp

Whether you’re landing rovers on Mars, coding with artificial intelligence (AI), populating Abigail Craft’s math-based zoo to learn fractions or testing pH levels, hands-on activities help develop problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork. Southwestern Michigan College’s seventh STEM Camp was held in the William P.D. O’Leary Building on the Dowagiac campus June 16-18 for 164 Michiana students entering grades 4-6 this fall.

51st Steve's Run Starts Downtown July 18

The 51st running of the Original Road and Trail Race takes place on Friday, July 18, at 6 p.m. in downtown Dowagiac, in conjunction with the Summer Festival and BBQ Competition.

SMC Continues Enrollment Growth, Trustees Adopt Budgets

Following a public hearing on June 11, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees unanimously adopted balanced 2025-26 fiscal-year budgets. The $28.6 million general fund for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026, anticipates $11.7 million from tuition and fees, $8.1 million from property taxes on 2.365 mills, $8.3 million in state appropriation and $500,000 from other revenue.

SMC Brass Band, DUHS Choir Lead Off City Summer Concerts

Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band and Dowagiac Union High School’s Chamber Choir kicked off the 12 Thursday-evening “Music in the Park” concerts June 5 in the Dowagiac Library Event Pavilion, 206 Main St. The free Thursday series co-sponsored by SMC, Lyons Industries, Honor Credit Union and MonaCo Cleaning Service, continues at 7:30 p.m. June 12 with Van Dyke Revue’s “Tribute to the Beatles.”

Wrestling Coach Jim Judd SMC’s Ted Lasso

James Judd casts a towering shadow over Southwestern Michigan College wrestling — past and future. “He was like Ted Lasso,” his son, Todd, said. “It’s nice to win, but he was more about developing good young men than winning and losing.”

SMC Begins Search for New Women’s Basketball Coach

Southwestern Michigan College announced today that it is conducting a nationwide search for a new full-time head coach to lead its women’s basketball program for the 2025-2026 season and beyond.

SMC Transforms Older Graduate's Life

Jake Smith, 32, who spoke at Southwestern Michigan College’s 58th Commencement May 10, is a non-traditional student who praised Michigan Reconnect, a scholarship program that pays to attend an in-district community college tuition-free. Smith, of Niles, who graduated from Buchanan High School in 2012, entered SMC in Spring 2023.

SMC History Students Explore Pioneer America

This year’s Southwestern Michigan College extended learning experience exposed history students to “Pioneer America” in Galena and Springfield, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo.