News

Couple Met at SMC During Pandemic

When Maya Taulbee enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College, she never imagined that the most important lesson learned wouldn’t be in a textbook.

Steve’s Run Returns July 17

The 52nd running of the Original Road and Trail Race takes place on Friday, July 17, at 6 p.m. downtown on the eve of the Dowagiac Summer Festival.

SMC Seeks Adventure in Colorado Rockies

Southwestern Michigan College landed in northern Colorado June 7-13, flying from Chicago to Denver. SMC’s AKO Bible Club set up camp in Estes Park (elevation 7,743 feet), a town known as a base for Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s home to elk, bears and miles of trails. Trail Ridge Road winds past craggy peaks, forests and tundra, with Roosevelt National Forest wilderness areas nearby.

Practicing law with technology

When Joshua Goodrich from Marcellus (Class of 2004) was a student at Southwestern Michigan College, he earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in microcomputer programming and Local Area Network (LAN)/hardware support for the technology career he envisioned. Cindy, his wife of 23 years, is also an SMC alumna.

SMC Hosts 110 for Eighth STEM Camps

Volcanoes, lava lamps and blue slime don’t seem to have much in common. Except they are easily replicated in simple science experiments using familiar household products such as vinegar, baking soda, vegetable oil, dish soap and glue. Such hands-on activities help develop problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork.

SMC Approves Faculty Contract, Adopts FY ’27 Budgets

At its regular monthly meeting on June 10, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement reached with the faculty union and adopted budgets for fiscal year 2027. The $30.7 million general fund for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027, anticipates $13.4 million from tuition and fees, $8.5 million from property taxes on 2.3510 mills, $8.4 million in state appropriation and $0.4 million from other revenue.

43 Years in Nursing for ’81 Graduate

Kathy (Eby) Mikel, a 1981 Southwestern Michigan College nursing graduate, “retired” last June from South Bend’s Memorial Hospital after almost 43 years. Memorial, a 647-bed hospital, is part of Beacon Health System. “I worked as an RN in NICU for 10 years and on the mother/baby unit as a lactation consultant for more than 32 years,” she said.

Having Fun with History

Southwestern Michigan College’s Amber Bader attended the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies (ICMS) May 14-16. Bader, who teaches two sections of Western Civilization 102 this fall, participated in several panels and a workshop focused on engagement with students and the public at large.

SMC’s CJ Program Wins More Gold Medals

Southwestern Michigan College’s Criminal Justice Program won two more gold medals at this spring’s Skills USA-MI Skills and Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids. Addy Wetzel, a 2025 Michigan Lutheran High School graduate, claimed SMC’s 10th consecutive gold medal in criminal justice.

Summer Music Showcase Debuts

Southwestern Michigan College’s Brass Band bookended Dowagiac Union High School’s Chamber Choir and Jazz Ensemble June 4 at the first “Summer Music Showcase” in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building. An SMC alumnus leads each DUHS group — the singers by Hunter Schuur (’15) and the musicians by Benjamin VanRoekel (’19).