News

SMC Jazz Ensemble Pops Up Ahead of Virtual Fall Concert

Plans for an open-air pop-up concert popped like a soap bubble Oct. 27 thanks to rainy, 39-degree weather, but live music won the day anyway. Mark Hollandsworth’s Southwestern Michigan College Jazz Ensemble set up indoors on the theatre stage in the Dale A. Lyons Building and rehearsed a four-song set that started out to feature a Halloween theme.

SMC Introduces Juris Silenieks as Cross Country Coach

Southwestern Michigan College’s choice to coach its reborn men’s and women’s cross-country program is Juris A. Silenieks of Grand Rapids. Silenieks was a member of Syracuse University’s 2015 NCAA cross country national champions and an Olympic trials qualifier for the Tokyo Summer Games.

SMC Launches Its New ‘Virtual Storefront’

A new virtual era for Southwestern Michigan College launched with October’s debut of its redesigned web site.

SMC’s Terror on Dewey Lake Available Oct. 30

Southwestern Michigan College’s first foray into radio theatre, “Terror on Dewey Lake,” will be available beginning Oct. 30. Produced and directed by Marcus Roll, SMC’s manager of theatre operations and applied performing arts, “Terror on Dewey Lake” is an original 47-page script by Branden Pompey, SMC assistant director of campus life.

SMC Cross Country Comeback Campaign Kicks Off

With Southwestern Michigan College resurrecting its legendary cross country program in the fall of 2021 after a 25-year hiatus, a flurry of preparations is underway. Championship trophies have been refurbished, and a $40,000 fundraising effort has begun to create the new Recruiting Gallery in the Student Activity Center to display them.

Aubrey Allen Crowned Michigan Miss U.S. Agriculture

Southwestern Michigan College freshman Aubrey Allen is passionate about agriculture as she embarks on her reign as 2021 Michigan Miss United States Agriculture. She will compete nationally next June in Florida.

SMC Security Guard a Former CEO

Philip Krempely was assigned to Southwestern Michigan College’s Dowagiac campus in July by Grand Rapids-based DK Security.

Third Time’s the Charm for SMC’s Jarvis House

“Because of the close proximity and contiguous buildings and campus land, acquiring the Jarvis House was very key in completing the campus,” Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas F. Jerdon said. “SMC was so fortunate to work with the Millers to acquire the property as their property line was literally just a couple of feet from our maintenance building.”

SMC Hosts Master Class with Orchestra’s Principal Flutist

“At SMC,” Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth said, “we are constantly seeking out opportunities to expose our students to top-level talent through campus and community outreach events, such as this master class.”

Krueger Built Strong Foundation Starting at SMC

Ten years after Dowagiac’s 2012 co-salutatorian’s Southwestern Michigan College dual enrollment, Krueger is a civil engineer building Chicago high-rises. As project manager for Harmon, the Naperville resident recently completed Wolf Point East and began another skyscraper, Salesforce Tower. She manages the entire building process and finances from the start of engineering to manufacturing, to installation on the job site to the finished turnover of the building.