At their regular monthly meeting on September 11, Southwestern Michigan College trustees presented pins as they thanked eight faculty employees who were celebrating milestones ranging from five to 25 years of service to the college.

Dr. Anna Norris (Biology—25 years) has taught anatomy and physiology at SMC since fall 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree in human biology and a doctorate in chiropractic from National College of Chiropractic, where she met her future husband, Larry. After graduating, the pair moved to Lawrence, Michigan, and opened a chiropractic clinic in the Kalamazoo area, though she turned to college teaching after several years. They raised three children and now live in Lawrence, Michigan, where they enjoy birding, biking and hiking.

Christi Young (Psychology/Sociology—20 years) has balanced her professional life with her role as a devoted wife and mother of two, embracing her identity as a die-hard sports mom. She has taught a diverse range of courses, including General Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Child Psychology, Marriage and the Family, Minority Groups in America, and Educational Explorations. Young is currently a third-year Ed.D. student in instructional systems technology at Indiana University.

Cliff “Chip” Weeks (Accounting—20 years) attended Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma and achieved a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He then earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance at Western Michigan University, where he started his teaching career as a teaching graduate assistant. He has worked for Coopers and Lybrand in Honolulu, and prior to moving back to Michigan and joining SMC in 2004, taught at Kauai Community College, Leeward Community College, the University of Hawaii and Central Washington University. He and his wife Karen enjoy surfing, mountain biking and watching his two children play sports.

Dr. Doug Schauer (Chemistry—10 years) joined the SMC faculty in 2014 and has taught chemistry at all levels offered by the college. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he has created and sustained an undergraduate research program in environmental chemistry. This program has served as a professional launch pad for some of SMC’s most successful graduates over the past ten years. Dr. Schauer earned his bachelor’s degree at Drexel University and his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to SMC, he served the chemical technology program chair at Ivy Tech Community College, as well as Interim department chair in their School of Applied Science and Engineering Technology.

Gary Franchy (Math—10 years) is in his 27th year teaching college mathematics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Detroit Mercy and a master’s degree in mathematics from Wayne State University, where he received Excellence in Teaching awards as both a graduate teaching assistant and as an adjunct faculty member. He has also completed coursework at Wayne State toward a doctorate in educational evaluation and research. Professor Franchy’s professional achievements include authoring three modules for the NSF-funded Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum project, presenting minicourses on Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum at both the Joint Mathematics Meeting and the International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, and serving as chair of the Quantitative Literacy Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America. While at SMC, he co-founded the Honors Program and served as its co-director.

Larry Holz (Robotics and Chair of the School of Business and Advanced Technology—5 years) and his wife Jaclyn live on a small chestnut farm near Southwestern Michigan College.  They raised two daughters on the farm, both graduated from Dowagiac Union High School and went on to attend the University of Michigan. He worked for over 30 years in manufacturing with his last 20 years being in management and leadership roles culminating in the role of plant manager at Kaiser Aluminum in Kalamazoo.  His educational background is a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northern Illinois University, and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Sam Walker (Graphic Design—5 years) began with graphic design under the guidance of Bill Rothwell while dual-enrolled as a high school student at SMC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in new media graphic design from Taylor University and a master’s degree in communications and digital media from Saginaw Valley State University. Prior to coming back to SMC, Professor Walker worked as a graphic designer in the Michiana area and nationwide as a freelancer.

Mark Hollandsworth (Band—5 years) serves as SMC’s Director of Bands. Previously he served as the Director of Bands in the Edwardsburg Public Schools, Blissfield Community Schools and Buchanan Community Schools, as well as the conductor of the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra Winds. He is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout Michigan and Indiana, working within the Michigan Competing Band Association, Scholastic Marching Bands, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) and Indiana State School Music Association circuits. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in music education from the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He was awarded the Michiana Outstanding Educator Award by Quinlan and Fabish Music in 2018, MSBOA District 6 Teacher of the Year Award in 2008 and 2016 and has been an Honorary Member of the MSBOA since 2020. He remains active on trumpet, performing regularly with the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band. He resides in Lawton with his wife, Jennifer.