News

SMC Celebrated 30th Anniversary of Women's Basketball Champions

They’re mothers now of grown children, and accomplished professionals in a variety of fields, from teaching and criminal justice to dental hygiene, marketing and human relations. But when they get together, as they did Jan. 20 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Southwestern Michigan College women’s basketball Division II national championship in Hagerstown, Md., the years melt away.

SMC Wrestling Makes NJCAA Top 10 for Academics

Southwestern Michigan College’s wrestling team has found success in the classroom as well as on the mat. Head Coach Todd Hesson’s Roadrunners received ninth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association 2023-24 NJCAA Scholar All-American Team. SMC notched a 3.3 team GPA. Pacing the Top 10 was Pratt, Kan., Community College.

SMC ETS Theatre Camp Stages Ghoulish Comedy at Beckwith June 28-29

Southwestern Michigan College’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Dowagiac’s Beckwith Theatre teamed up to present a free two-week Summer Youth Theatre that attracted 38 participants from across the area. Camp culminates with free public performances June 28 at 7 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. of the ghoulish seven-skit comedy, “Gravestone Manor.”

Thelda Mathews Honored as an SMC Founder

Thelda Mathews wasn’t on Southwestern Michigan College’s founding board or any subsequent board, either. But she was instrumental in getting a Cass County community college on the ballot 60 years ago in November 1964.

SMC’s STEM Camp a Popular Way to Beat the Heat

Whether you’re measuring load-bearing Leaning Towers of Pasta built of raw spaghetti and marshmallows, coding with artificial intelligence (AI), running Abigail Craft’s math-based pizzeria to learn fractions or making multi-colored slime, hands-on activities stress problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork.

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow, Welding Technology

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—John Gershoffer

When John Gerschoffer graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1994, he signed up for programming classes at Southwestern Michigan College. “Programming didn't sit well with me, so I ended up stopping,” he said. Gerschoffer's back on campus now, having received an SMC advanced technology scholarship, and is studying robotics. In fact, he's in his final semester.

Staying Close to Home is Sometimes the Perfect Choice

At 45, Jayna (Peterson) Sobecki has been teaching Cassopolis children half her life. After her 23rd year at Sam Adams Elementary School, it’s been 26 years since her selection to speak at Southwestern Michigan College’s 1998 commencement. She had been Brandywine High School valedictorian, so the full-ride scholarship she received made it any easy decision to follow her parents to SMC, just as two younger brothers followed her.

SMC Board of Trustees Adopts Budgets

Following a public hearing, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees June 12 adopted balanced 2024-25 fiscal-year budgets. The $27,384,000 general fund budget for July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, anticipates $10.976 million from tuition and fees, $7.782 million from property taxes on 2.3864 mills, $8.167 million in state appropriation and $459,000 from other revenue.