SMC to Expand Housing Capacity

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees decided at its regular meeting on Jan. 10 to add new rooms and a total of 36 beds to the three existing residence halls on the Dowagiac campus, expanding capacity to address growing housing demand. Construction will begin this summer and the new space should be available beginning in January 2025.

Mary Young-Marcks Marks 40 Years on SMC's Faculty

As she embarked on her 40th year on Southwestern Michigan College’s faculty, Professor of Social Science Dr. Mary D. Young-Marcks paused to reflect.

203 SMC Students Named to Honor Rolls

Southwestern Michigan College named 44 students to the President’s List for the Fall 2023 semester. Students 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 159 students making the Dean’s List achieved at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale while carrying a full study load.

SMC Bass Anglers Eye Move into the Top 25

Southwestern Michigan College’s bass fishing team finished its inaugural Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) season in May a phenomenal 29th in the nation. Hundreds of colleges send teams to events all over the country. During their first year of competition, SMC Bass Anglers fished tournaments in eight different states.

SMC Graduates 21-Member Nursing Class

Southwestern Michigan College Dec. 13 welcomed 21 new nurses to America’s largest health care profession with almost 5.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide. The fall class received associate degrees in nursing (ADN) in a pinning ceremony in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus. The class joins the ranks of 3,206 SMC nursing graduates.

SMC Studying How to Address Housing Demand

At its regular meeting on Dec. 13, Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees reviewed a study evaluating options to provide additional housing capacity. The administration will bring a formal recommendation to the board in January. In his President’s Report, Dr. Joe Odenwald said housing is projected to remain close to full occupancy for Spring 2024.

Kyra DeLoach Wins Statewide Award

Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Dec. 13 recognized Keith H. McKenzie Residence Hall Manager Kyra DeLoach for receiving a statewide award.

Carew's Career Advice: Persevere and Learn Piano

Growing up in Spartan Village on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, David Carew saw himself attending MSU, not Western Michigan University. As a youngster, he played in band before he sang in choir. Carew, 18-year Southwestern Michigan College Director of Choral Activities, preferred playing flute to baritone, so instrumental music didn’t stick.

‘Inspiring’ Fall Vocal Concert Combines Standard Choirs with Musical Theatre

“To Inspire...A Musical Collage” Nov. 11 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac campus combined a traditional choir concert directed by Director of Choral Activities David Carew with musical-theatre show tunes helmed by Resident Theatre Director Marcus Jordan.

Cassopolis Tenor Saxophonist Bound for Carnegie Hall

Anyone who heard tenor saxophonist Seth Kalina solo with Southwestern Michigan College’s Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo at the Oct. 27 fall band concert knows he’s going places. But listeners might not realize he has a firm destination in mind — Carnegie Hall in February.