SMC Band Joins Rake a Difference Volunteer Brigade

Southwestern Michigan College contributed two teams of volunteers to a record-breaking day helping southwest Michigan seniors rake and bag leaves and clean gutters for United Way’s 13th annual “Rake a Difference” Nov. 9. Breaking last year’s records, 136 teams with 1,340 volunteers served 353 seniors with 7,370 volunteer hours valued at $234,366.

Trustees Hear Report on the ‘Three Critical A’s’

Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees, meeting at the Niles campus Nov. 8, heard Dr. Joe Odenwald’s President’s Report on the “three critical A’s” — academics, athletics and the arts.

112 High School Students Attend SMC Nursing Day

Southwestern Michigan College Nursing Day turned the normally pristine simulation lab into a crime scene Nov. 3. Intentionally making a mess around the robotic manikins was meant for instructional purposes — an engaging “I Spy” activity for 112 high schoolers from Dowagiac, Lakeshore, Cassopolis, Lawton, Berrien Springs, Eau Claire, Bridgman and Career Academy South Bend cataloging five things which went awry in each of four rooms.

Art, Music Intersect at ’Pictures’

Southwestern Michigan College’s fall band concert “Pictures” Oct. 27 featured the SMC Jazz Ensemble, the SMC Jazz Combo and the SMC Symphonic Band conducted by Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth.

Summery sunshine for Jazz on the Lawn

“Jazz on the Lawn” is a way to preview and promote Southwestern Michigan College’s fall band concert. This year, the weather cooperated. Last October it spit snow.

BetterMynd a New Approach to Mental Health

Southwestern Michigan College this fall partnered with a teletherapy platform that offers three 50-minute online sessions to students. Cody Semrau founded BetterMynd in 2017 because of mental health challenges he experienced himself as a college student. BetterMynd serves 75 colleges and universities.

Art History a Tactile Topic for SMC Students

Southwestern Michigan College’s Art History I (Art 203) class is more tactile than you might imagine. When Sherrie Styx’s students learn about marble sculpture, they carve soapstone and alabaster stones using small files.

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.”

Tales From Adult Learners—John Gershoffer

When John Gerschoffer graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1994, he signed up for programming classes at Southwestern Michigan College. “Programming didn't sit well with me, so I ended up stopping,” he said. Gerschoffer's back on campus now, having received an SMC advanced technology scholarship, and is studying robotics. In fact, he's in his final semester.

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow, Welding Technology