News

Timing is Everything for a Transport Nurse

Melissa “Lissa” (Hollis) Borders of Niles (’03) never intended to become a nurse. She thought it was “gross.” Today, she’s a pediatric critical care transport nurse who has been with Beacon Health System for 22 years.

SMC Enrollment Up For Sixth Straight Semester, Board Discusses Presidency

At its regular meeting on Feb.12, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees set October as a target time to discuss selecting a permanent president. Last week on Feb. 6, the board accepted President Dr. Joe Odenwald’s resignation and unanimously appointed long-time administrator Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brent Brewer as interim president, effective May 11.

SMC Board of Trustees Appoints Brent Brewer as Interim President

At a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees accepted President Dr. Joe Odenwald’s resignation with regret and unanimously appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Brent Brewer as interim president, effective May 11, 2025, subject to contract negotiations.

SMC Hosts Future Educators

Southwestern Michigan College’s Future Educators Day Jan. 31 was an intimate program for six prospective students from Edwardsburg and Three Rivers. Professor Ranee Conley was the keynote speaker in her classroom, Lyons 219, explaining SMC’s two degree paths, elementary and early childhood education. She directs both programs.

President Odenwald Resigns

Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. Joseph Odenwald has notified the SMC Board of Trustees that he has accepted the presidency of Alma College in Alma, Mich., effective June 1, 2025. Odenwald will remain in his current position stewarding the college through Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10.

Jones an Award-Winning Choir Director in Washington State

Before he became an award-winning choir director in Washington state, Niles’ James Jones was associated with Southwestern Michigan College theatrical productions for a decade, first as a student, then as an adjunct instructor. His job fulfills a “lifelong ambition.” Last year Jones won Richland School District’s 2024 Crystal Apple Award. He also took a group of high schoolers to Ireland for a week on a performance tour.

Faculty Recital Features Saxophone

Southwestern Michigan College’s first spring-semester instrumental recital Jan. 28 featured Leo Schlaifer, adjunct instructor of saxophone. Accompanying Schlaifer, who has been teaching at SMC since September 2023, were two other saxophonists, a composer who detests gossip and an unlikely flock of birds.

Bosch Community Fund Underwrites SMC STEM Camp

Southwestern Michigan College has been awarded another Bosch Community Fund grant for the seventh Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Summer Camp the third week of June on the Dowagiac campus. Math and Physics Professor Andrew Dohm, who writes the grants, said the popular free camps will be offered to area students entering grades 4-6 this fall.

Economic Impact Study Finds SMC Generates $58 Million for Cass County

Southwestern Michigan College shared a comprehensive study today that confirms the college is a major economic engine for Cass County. With 331 employees and an annual expenditure for goods and services of $19.8 million, SMC generates significant positive impact for taxpayers.

SMC Shelters ‘Homeless’ Robotics Team

Southwestern Michigan College sheltered a “homeless” middle/high school robotics team in October 2023. The gesture is paying dividends today as the RoboTZ (Robo-Tech Zone, a community-based non-profit facilitating competitive robotics teams) advance to state and national competition again. RoboTZ brought home four awards from Jenison Jan. 11 — Innovate, Amaze, Judge and a hard-fought second place in the champions tournament.