SMC Graduates 15-Member Nursing Class

Southwestern Michigan College May 10 welcomed 15 new nurses to America’s largest health care profession with approximately 4.3million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide. The federal government projects that more than 203,000 new positions will be created each year through 2031. The median age is 46, with more than a quarter of RNs reporting that they plan to leaving nursing or retire over the next five years.

SMC’s 58th Commencement Graduates 365

A future teacher who honed perseverance as a volleyball player and an adult business student with his head in the clouds spoke on behalf of Southwestern Michigan College’s Class of 2025 May 10 at 58th Commencement ceremonies outdoors in Alumni Plaza on the Dowagiac campus.

SMC Honors Outstanding Graduates

As a first-generation college student, Mitzy Grana Diaz of Hartford never expected to stand at a podium and “feel genuinely sad about leaving.” “As the first person in my family to graduate high school, every step of this journey has been completely undiscovered territory for me. I had no road map to follow, so I created my own,” Grana Diaz told SMC’s Outstanding Graduate Reception May 8 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

SMC Trails Upgrade a Tribute to Gunn

When a call went out to pay tribute to Southwestern Michigan College Hall of Fame Coach Ron Gunn, 219 individuals contributed.

17 Singers Perform at SMC Vocal Studio Recital

Seventeen vocalists sang May 7 at Southwestern Michigan College Visual and Performing Arts’ spring vocal studio recital in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

10 Instrumentalists Perform at SMC Spring Recital

Ten instrumental musicians performed May 6 at Southwestern Michigan College Visual and Performing Arts’ spring semester recital in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

SMC Recognizes 33 Employees

Thirty-three individuals were recognized at Southwestern Michigan College’s annual Employee Retirement and Recognition Breakfast May 2 in Mathews Conference Center East, including five retirees from academics. Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Keith Howell retires May 15. Hired in August 1996 as a mathematics instructor, he served as Math/Science Chair from 2011-18, when he became dean for seven years.

Collage Concert a Sonic Three-Ring Circus

When Southwestern Michigan College’s Symphonic Band leads off the May 1 Spring Collage Concert with the clarinet and flute sections pounding on drums, anything seems possible — maybe even some Pink Floyd. And there were Thomas Morgan and Tressa Hullinger with electric guitars on Roger Waters’ “Wish You Were Here,” the title track from a 50-year-old rock album.

SMC Registrar Addresses Honor Inductees

Southwestern Michigan College Registrar Steve Carlson urged 12 Sigma Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society inductees and their families April 25 to have faith and to persevere as they seek their purpose. “I have sat with hundreds of college students,” Carlson said in Mathews Conference Center West, “helping them find purpose in life and that thing that really motivates them.”

SMC Student Art Show Winners Announced

Jacob Overholt and Connie Grabemeyer received top recognition April 15 at Southwestern Michigan College’s annual student art show in the Art Gallery of the Dale A. Lyons Building. Overholt won the six-category Mina Peer Award, determined by popular vote as overall Best of Show.