News

SMC Presidential Finalist Interviews Slated Oct. 21-22

Southwestern Michigan College has scheduled on-campus interviews for the three finalists for president. The interviews will be conducted in the Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center West conference room on the Dowagiac Campus, and while audience questions will not be taken during these sessions, they are open for public viewing.

It’s Full Speed Ahead for Carly Kolean

Carly Kolean thrives on challenges, whether it’s teaching a Junior Achievement class, graduating from Southwestern Michigan College in 2020 during a global pandemic, joining Amazon or buying her first home at 20. Kolean, 24, came to Dowagiac from Middleville, a small town close by Grand Rapids.

Fall in Full Swing at SMC

Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees heard updates on academics, arts and athletics at its Oct. 8 regular meeting on the Dowagiac campus. Interim President Brent Brewer reported on a flurry of activity six weeks into Fall Semester.

SMC Success Story Told at Automotive Day

Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac campus hosted 225 Michiana high school students Oct. 3 for Automotive Day. Participants included Dowagiac, LaPorte, Berrien Springs, Van Buren Tech, Lawton, Buchanan and Elkhart Area Career Center.

She Set Herself Up for Success

After earning an associate degree in social sciences and admission to Phi Theta Kappa in 2015 at Southwestern Michigan College, Cassidy Purucker Bourdon seemed poised for a career in social work.

SMC Narrows Presidential Search to Four Finalists

In the search for its ninth president, Southwestern Michigan College has narrowed the field to four finalists.

Hitting All the Right Notes

Deanna (Phillips) Russell (Class of 2012) did it all for Southwestern Michigan College Performing Arts. Originally from Three Oaks, she graduated from River Valley High School in 2010. Russell performed in Symphonic Band, the Jazz Band, Select Voices, Concert Choir, Women’s Choir and Show Choir. She was also part of a saxophone quartet her freshman year.

More Than 500 Attend SMC College Fair

More than 500 students attended Sept. 24’s Southwestern Michigan College Fair in the Charles O. Zollar Building, encompassing 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse and the Student Activity Center. Representatives from 46 colleges and universities were available to visitors from 10 a.m. to noon. High school students could talk to representatives from a wide variety of colleges and universities in one convenient location to get answers to questions about admissions, programs and financial aid.

SMC Hosts Michigan School Counselors

Southwestern Michigan College updated local educational partners at the annual Michigan Counselor Breakfast Sept. 18 in Mathews Conference Center East on the Dowagiac campus. Counselors received a preview of the academic year and met SMC’s admissions team. Eighteen counselors attended from Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Bridgman, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District, Marcellus, New Buffalo, Niles, Phoenix High School of Kalamazoo and Three Oaks.

SMC Accomplishments Reviewed

Interim President Brent Brewer detailed an “historic fall” Sept. 10 for the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees. From an economic impact study and three capital improvement projects to 1,100 students participating in 17 Welcome Week activities, SMC is “firing on all eight cylinders,” in 2025, as Chairman Tom Jerdon put it.