News

Living Proof That Every Vote Matters

As the youngest person elected to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Rayonte D. Bell learned at the outset of his young political life the value of every single vote. Bell was just 22 in his 2020 race with Republican Bruce Gorenflo after incumbent Bill Chickering retired. The contest ended in a 3,934-3,934 tie. On Nov. 16, the candidates pulled lots. Bell drew “not elected,” then sought a recount.

19 Roadrunners Named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams

The NJCAA announced its 2023-2024 All-Academic Teams July 18, and the SMC Roadrunners are well-represented.

SMC, GVSU Ink Agreement Opening Pathways to ‘Learn Where You Live’

GRAND RAPIDS — An agreement Southwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University signed July 17 provides SMC students with opportunities to take GVSU classes and degree programs at the Dowagiac campus.

28 Attend First SMC Science Fair Camp

Students inspired Southwestern Michigan College Educational Talent Search’s new Science Fair Camp July 8-12 for grades 6-12. “We got the idea for this camp from a panel of our high-school students,” ETS Director Bethani Eichel said. “In our conversations, we kept hearing students say they wanted to go into science, but were not sure what career specifically. We hope a camp like this will allow students to explore science fields in a different way.”

1980 SMC Nursing Graduate Left Cardiology for Anesthesiology

Rick VanTuyl grew up in Dowagiac, watching Original Road and Trail Race (now Steve’s Run) runners stream past his house at the foot of Wilbur Hill Road. VanTuyl, 64, graduated from Union High School in 1977 and earned his Southwestern Michigan College associate degree in nursing in 1980, the only man of five who made it to the finish line. Flash forward four decades and VanTuyl is at the pinnacle of his profession as a nurse anesthetist for Henry Ford Health since 2002.

SMC Celebrated 30th Anniversary of Women's Basketball Champions

They’re mothers now of grown children, and accomplished professionals in a variety of fields, from teaching and criminal justice to dental hygiene, marketing and human relations. But when they get together, as they did Jan. 20 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Southwestern Michigan College women’s basketball Division II national championship in Hagerstown, Md., the years melt away.

SMC Wrestling Makes NJCAA Top 10 for Academics

Southwestern Michigan College’s wrestling team has found success in the classroom as well as on the mat. Head Coach Todd Hesson’s Roadrunners received ninth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association 2023-24 NJCAA Scholar All-American Team. SMC notched a 3.3 team GPA. Pacing the Top 10 was Pratt, Kan., Community College.

SMC ETS Theatre Camp Stages Ghoulish Comedy at Beckwith June 28-29

Southwestern Michigan College’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Dowagiac’s Beckwith Theatre teamed up to present a free two-week Summer Youth Theatre that attracted 38 participants from across the area. Camp culminates with free public performances June 28 at 7 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. of the ghoulish seven-skit comedy, “Gravestone Manor.”

Thelda Mathews Honored as an SMC Founder

Thelda Mathews wasn’t on Southwestern Michigan College’s founding board or any subsequent board, either. But she was instrumental in getting a Cass County community college on the ballot 60 years ago in November 1964.

SMC’s STEM Camp a Popular Way to Beat the Heat

Whether you’re measuring load-bearing Leaning Towers of Pasta built of raw spaghetti and marshmallows, coding with artificial intelligence (AI), running Abigail Craft’s math-based pizzeria to learn fractions or making multi-colored slime, hands-on activities stress problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaborative teamwork.