News

Marcus Jordan Directing SMC’s Cabaret Nov. 12

Marcus Jordan’s debut with Southwestern Michigan College’s performing arts team will be Nov. 12’s fall cabaret, “Becoming: A Musical Theatre Song Cycle,” at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus. This free public performance explores the dynamic process of transformation through songs, from golden-age musicals to contemporary blockbusters.

Kara Murphy Passionate About Psychology

With Thanksgiving looming, Southwestern Michigan College Psychology Club President Kara Murphy knew what timely topic to build her Nov. 7 agenda around. Murphy, 19, of Niles, presented “Food for Thought,” projecting 29 slides and passing out question sheets to drive discussion on how gratitude and healthy relationships contribute to well-being. Every person present participated.

SMC Board of Trustees Reviews ‘Metrics That Matter’

Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees heard President Dr. Joe Odenwald’s report on “metrics that matter” during Nov. 9’s meeting on the Niles campus. “Spring registration is well underway,” Odenwald said. “We registered 940 students the first week, including 610 in a single day. The goal is 1,620” by the time classes start Jan. 9, “so we’re about two thirds of the way there.”

Turkey Trot on SMC Trails Nov. 20

Southwestern Michigan College hosts the 55th All Trail Turkey Trot Sunday, Nov. 20, at its Dowagiac campus, 58900 Cherry Grove Road.

Los Angeles TV Composer Visits SMC

Southwestern Michigan College music theory students weren’t goofing off if you happened upon them watching Disney Junior’s “Muppet Babies” Oct. 28 in the Dale A. Lyons Building. Actually, they were discussing composing with the 1994 Plainwell graduate who wrote the music for the episode in question, “Moon Muffins ” season three, episode 27A, particularly how not to scare the target audience, 4- to 7-year-olds watching with their families.

Choirs Present a Night to ‘Remember’

Southwestern Michigan College Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ ambitious fall choir concert, “In Remembrance: Songs of Nostalgia and Reflection,” Oct. 28 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building featured seven vocal ensembles augmented by guitar, cellos, violin, viola, tenor saxophone and even two harps.

Give Bats a Break

Bats get a bad rap year-round — but especially at Halloween. Images of blood-sucking vampire bats stoke scary stuff, but the reality of these flying mammals and their usefulness to agriculture and medicine is less frightening than clowns.

Three Contribute Lyrics to SMC Fight Song

Thomas Bentley of Mattawan is an Army veteran interested in creative writing. In his last semester at Southwestern Michigan College, he has been accepted to study at Columbia University in New York City next fall. Logan Lampe of Lawton wants to be a composer. The first-semester music major was seen most recently playing clarinet in the Symphonic Band’s fall concert Oct. 21 alongside his trombonist brother, Dominick. Brooke Johnson of Dowagiac helped design decals decorating SMC’s Esports Arena.

SMC’s Fall Band Concert Dedicated to ‘Home’

Southwestern Michigan College’s Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Symphonic Band presented the fall concert, “Home,” Oct. 21 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building conducted by Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth.

2021 SMC Graduate Spent Year Studying in Germany Before Heading to Cleveland

A year after setting out for Germany to live as an exchange student during his high school senior year, 2021 Southwestern Michigan College graduate Creed Roschyk embarked for Cleveland. Roschyk moved to Case Western Reserve University in August to study biomedical engineering, followed by medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon.