News

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).

Bradshaw Makes the Most of Her Second Act at SMC

There seem to be two distinct Kaylee Bradshaws. Both hail from Hartford. One has a straight-A grade average and was selected to speak at Southwestern Michigan College’s 59th Commencement May 9.

Itimu Has Dreamed of Being a Pediatrician Since She Was 8

After college, Chloe Itimu plans to return to her native Malawi and, as a pediatrician, fulfill a dream her grandmother suggested to her at 8 years old.

SMC Recognizes 28 Employees

Twenty-eight individuals were recognized at Southwestern Michigan College’s annual Employee Retirement and Recognition Breakfast May 1 in Mathews Conference Center East, including two retirees, Dr. Karen Reilly and Edward Derbin.

2016 Automotive Graduate Wears Many Zolman Hats

Alex Severinghaus wears a lot of hats as Regional Store Manager for Zolman’s Best One Tire and Auto Care’s three Michigan retail locations in Niles, Kalamazoo and Portage. At 30, and 10 years after completing the Southwestern Michigan College automotive program, Severinghaus, of Niles, oversees 25 people.

217 SMC Students Named to Honor Rolls

Southwestern Michigan College named 55 students to the President’s List for the Spring 2026 semester. Students honored 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 162 students making the Dean’s List achieved at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale while carrying a full study load.