News

‘Man in Motion’ First in Line for SMC Cross-Country Comeback

Whether marching as a musician or being the first male committed to Southwestern Michigan College’s cross-country comeback after a quarter century, Sam Loomis has always been a man in motion. That hasn’t changed since the Roadrunner traded trails for PAC-12 gridirons as one of 40 alto saxophonists in Washington State University’s Cougar Marching Band.

A ‘Labor of Love’ for Valentine’s Day

When you’re Southwestern Michigan College School of Nursing and Health Services, you celebrate Valentine’s Day not with flowers or chocolate, but a “Labor of Love” — a guest speaker who is a labor and delivery nurse. Lisa Pulling, BSN, RN, who has taught obstetrics at SMC for three years, has for eight years been delivering babies at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

SMC Housing Expansion Moving Forward

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees at its regular meeting Feb. 14 approved an architectural contract with Carmi Design Group of Edwardsburg for the residence hall expansion project.

SMC Hosts Six Schools for Fourth Band Clinic Day

Southwestern Michigan College’s fourth annual Band Clinic Day Feb. 9 featured six area school bands and more than 300 musicians critiqued just in time for polishing March Southwestern Michigan Band and Orchestra Association (SWMBOA) festival programs.

SMC Celebrates Lunar New Year for Spring

Southwestern Michigan College residence halls rang in Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dragon Feb. 6 with pageantry and an authentic tea ceremony.

SMC's Spring Faculty Recital Features Clarinets

Southwestern Michigan College’s “The ABCs of the American Clarinet” shined a spotlight on the often-unsung “licorice stick” Feb. 6. Joining Scott Kurtzweil for the spring faculty recital were collaborative pianist Christine Seitz, drummer Glenn McFarland and, from the SMC Clarinet Studio, students Dakotah Chandler, Logan Lampe, Madison Sutherland and Mikayla Williams.

SMC’s ‘Feel’ That Drew Ted Chase 30 Years Ago Hasn't Changed a Bit

In the 30 years since he graduated from Southwestern Michigan College, Berrien County’s Ted Chase returns regularly to the campus where he met his wife. Daughter Emily this fall will carry on the family tradition of playing in the band.

SMC Spring Enrollment Up 11.5%, Also Led State Last Year

Southwestern Michigan College, at the end of the registration period for the current session, recorded its fifth straight semester of enrollment growth over the previous year. Spring 2024 enrollment is up 11.5 percent in contact hours, with an increase of 177 students over Spring 2023.

’19 Grad Adds MSU, Notre Dame Degrees, Publishes Book, Moves to Florida

Audrey Bakerson keeps busy. In 2022, the 2019 Southwestern Michigan College 4.0 graduate finished her Michigan State University bachelor’s degree in human biology with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. In May she added her master of science degree in management from the University of Notre Dame while publishing a children’s book, The Little Egg.

SMC to Expand Housing Capacity

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees decided at its regular meeting on Jan. 10 to add new rooms and a total of 36 beds to the three existing residence halls on the Dowagiac campus, expanding capacity to address growing housing demand. Construction will begin this summer and the new space should be available beginning in January 2025.