News

Michigan Reconnect Helps Veteran Find Her Welding Passion

Katie Brownlow earned her one-year Southwestern Michigan College welding certificate in April and parlayed her internship into a job with Cotton Gin Smokers, premium, hand-crafted barbecue smokers made on Terminal Road, Niles. Brownlow, a single mom and veteran who turns 38 in July, plans to continue to her welding associate degree. “I’ve got that fire in me again,” Brownlow said, “and it’s not burning out. I’m not going backwards anymore.”

Maxwell’s Trades ‘Leap of Faith’ at SMC Pays Off

Five years after speaking at Southwestern Michigan College’s 2021 Commencement, Brenna Maxwell is a year and a half into her career as a controls engineer. “Being a controls engineer is very satisfying,” she said. “We come across many interesting challenges that force us to think outside the box for days or weeks. At the end of the day, once we solve that challenge and see our discoveries work as planned, we get a great feeling of accomplishment.”

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

‘My Memories of SMC are Life-Changing’

Florida tour guide Chris Kelly came to Southwestern Michigan College in the fall of 1985 after taking a year off from college.

Concert Caps Record SMC Choir Camp

Southwestern Michigan College’s ninth and largest choir camp culminated July 24 with a free public concert in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building.

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.