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

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

"Legend" SMC Band Concert Features Percussion Clinic

“Legend,” Southwestern Michigan College’s winter band concert, as the culmination of Percussion Clinic Day Feb. 28, featured 15 percussionists from six area schools. Earlier in the day students worked with clinicians Dan Ingman, SMC’s second-year percussion instructor, and vibraphonist Margaret Parker of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps based in Canton, Ohio and Drum Corps International World Class Champions in 2016 and 2024.