News

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.

First College Choice. Full College Experience

When Katelynn Flowers Geiger left Sturgis, she didn’t consider any other destination than Southwestern Michigan College. Geiger, who attended SMC from 2014-16 and served as a Keith H. McKenzie Hall resident assistant her second year, selected the college “not only because of the beautiful campus, but because of the housing opportunities SMC provided.”

Carolyn Lyons Murray Became an Accountant to Keep Enjoying Music

Coming out of Dowagiac Union High School in 1996 with the John Philip Sousa Award, music was “sort of the obvious path” for percussionist Carolyn Lyons Murray. She received a music scholarship and began studying music education at Southwestern Michigan College, where she still performs in the theatre of the building named for her grandfather, Dale, longtime Board of Trustees vice chairman.

SMC Trustees Tour New McKenzie Housing

On Jan. 8, Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees capped a morning of strategic planning updates with an afternoon monthly business meeting and a tour of the housing units recently added to the second and third floors of Keith H. McKenzie Hall.