Dowagiac Union Schools Taps SMC Graduate As Band Director

Dowagiac’s new Band Director, Benjamin VanRoekel, 2019 Southwestern Michigan College graduate and tenor saxophonist from Paw Paw, capped his first band camp Aug. 10 previewing this fall’s halftime show. VanRoekel’s Chieftain Marching Band performed selections from John Williams-themed “A Night at the Movies.”

2021 Speaker Broadens Her Interest in Science

Since speaking at Southwestern Michigan College’s outdoor Outstanding Graduate Reception in May 2021, Jossalyn Rogalski was awarded “Distinguished Senior in Biology” last spring at Western Michigan University, from which she graduated in December debt-free. In January, Cass County’s 2016 spelling champion and Dowagiac’s 2020 salutatorian began a WMU master’s degree in geography to continue using her Medallion scholarship.

Choral Concert Closes with Furious Dancing

Stacey V. Gibbs of Detroit conducted the “Hope, Light and Love” concert July 19 culminating Southwestern Michigan College’s intensive three-day choral workshop. A six-song performance in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on SMC’s Dowagiac campus reflected two days of rehearsals with the prolific and highly sought-after composer, arranger and clinician.

Nine ETS Students Finish Police, Fire Training

Southwestern Michigan College Educational Talent Search (ETS), in partnership with the Dowagiac fire and police departments, July 22-26 offered simulated fire and police training. Public Safety Camp is meant to inform students about the important role fire and police departments play in community protection.

Living Proof That Every Vote Matters

As the youngest person elected to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Rayonte D. Bell learned at the outset of his young political life the value of every single vote. Bell was just 22 in his 2020 race with Republican Bruce Gorenflo after incumbent Bill Chickering retired. The contest ended in a 3,934-3,934 tie. On Nov. 16, the candidates pulled lots. Bell drew “not elected,” then sought a recount.

19 Roadrunners Named to NJCAA All-Academic Teams

The NJCAA announced its 2023-2024 All-Academic Teams July 18, and the SMC Roadrunners are well-represented.

SMC, GVSU Ink Agreement Opening Pathways to ‘Learn Where You Live’

GRAND RAPIDS — An agreement Southwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University signed July 17 provides SMC students with opportunities to take GVSU classes and degree programs at the Dowagiac campus.

28 Attend First SMC Science Fair Camp

Students inspired Southwestern Michigan College Educational Talent Search’s new Science Fair Camp July 8-12 for grades 6-12. “We got the idea for this camp from a panel of our high-school students,” ETS Director Bethani Eichel said. “In our conversations, we kept hearing students say they wanted to go into science, but were not sure what career specifically. We hope a camp like this will allow students to explore science fields in a different way.”

1980 SMC Nursing Graduate Left Cardiology for Anesthesiology

Rick VanTuyl grew up in Dowagiac, watching Original Road and Trail Race (now Steve’s Run) runners stream past his house at the foot of Wilbur Hill Road. VanTuyl, 64, graduated from Union High School in 1977 and earned his Southwestern Michigan College associate degree in nursing in 1980, the only man of five who made it to the finish line. Flash forward four decades and VanTuyl is at the pinnacle of his profession as a nurse anesthetist for Henry Ford Health since 2002.

SMC Celebrated 30th Anniversary of Women's Basketball Champions

They’re mothers now of grown children, and accomplished professionals in a variety of fields, from teaching and criminal justice to dental hygiene, marketing and human relations. But when they get together, as they did Jan. 20 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Southwestern Michigan College women’s basketball Division II national championship in Hagerstown, Md., the years melt away.