News

Art History a Tactile Topic for SMC Students

Southwestern Michigan College’s Art History I (Art 203) class is more tactile than you might imagine. When Sherrie Styx’s students learn about marble sculpture, they carve soapstone and alabaster stones using small files.

Michigan Reconnect Helps Veteran Find Her Welding Passion

Katie Brownlow earned her one-year Southwestern Michigan College welding certificate in April and parlayed her internship into a job with Cotton Gin Smokers, premium, hand-crafted barbecue smokers made on Terminal Road, Niles. Brownlow, a single mom and veteran who turns 38 in July, plans to continue to her welding associate degree. “I’ve got that fire in me again,” Brownlow said, “and it’s not burning out. I’m not going backwards anymore.”

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.

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

SMC Gets Grassroots Preview of World Cup Soccer Sod

A Michigan State University research associate attended Southwestern Michigan College’s “Ag Day” April 10 to provide a grassroots sneak preview of next year’s FIFA World Cup soccer tournament across North America. Dr. Jack Guevara, who is originally from the Philippines, outlined extensive turfgrass research done with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to develop perfect sod playing surfaces across 16 host cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

SMC Inks Social Work Agreement with WMU

Southwestern Michigan College and Western Michigan University signed a social work articulation agreement April 7 formalizing a longstanding informal partnership. The agreement signed by retiring SMC Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Keith Howell and WMU Dean of the College of Health and Human Services Dr. Lillian Smith takes effect immediately.

President Bids Farewell at Final Meeting

At his final meeting as president April 9, Dr. Joe Odenwald left the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees with some advice. “The future is focused on the students and the culture they bring,” he said. “Leadership has a three-year plan to position the college for continued student enrollment growth. The Room to Grow campaign, launching today, means it will be hardhat-wearing season through 2028.”