News

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.

Mary Young-Marcks Marks 40 Years on SMC's Faculty

As she embarked on her 40th year on Southwestern Michigan College’s faculty, Professor of Social Science Dr. Mary D. Young-Marcks paused to reflect.

203 SMC Students Named to Honor Rolls

Southwestern Michigan College named 44 students to the President’s List for the Fall 2023 semester. Students on the President’s List must earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale while carrying a full study load of at least 12 credits. The 159 students making the Dean’s List achieved at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale while carrying a full study load.

SMC Bass Anglers Eye Move into the Top 25

Southwestern Michigan College’s bass fishing team finished its inaugural Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) season in May a phenomenal 29th in the nation. Hundreds of colleges send teams to events all over the country. During their first year of competition, SMC Bass Anglers fished tournaments in eight different states.

SMC Graduates 21-Member Nursing Class

Southwestern Michigan College Dec. 13 welcomed 21 new nurses to America’s largest health care profession with almost 5.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide. The fall class received associate degrees in nursing (ADN) in a pinning ceremony in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus. The class joins the ranks of 3,206 SMC nursing graduates.

SMC Studying How to Address Housing Demand

At its regular meeting on Dec. 13, Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees reviewed a study evaluating options to provide additional housing capacity. The administration will bring a formal recommendation to the board in January. In his President’s Report, Dr. Joe Odenwald said housing is projected to remain close to full occupancy for Spring 2024.

Kyra DeLoach Wins Statewide Award

Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Dec. 13 recognized Keith H. McKenzie Residence Hall Manager Kyra DeLoach for receiving a statewide award.