News

SMC Employees Receiving COVID Challenge Coins

Military commanders typically give unique pocket-size medallions to service members as a gesture of camaraderie. “We’ll be connected forever in terms of the work, sacrifices and ingenuity that have gone into keeping this college operational during this major event in the history of the country,” Odenwald said. “I can’t say enough about what everybody’s done — faculty, staff and, at this point, students, for modifying their behaviors to make what we’ve done possible as we finish week three."

SMC Enrolls 1,800 Students for Fall 2020

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees heard Sept. 21 from President Dr. Joe Odenwald that fall enrollment finished at 1,800 students — 88 better than budgeted.

SMC Welder Becoming Civil Engineer

Matt Morey has always wanted to be an engineer, but he started at Southwestern Michigan College by earning his welding certificate from the School of Business and Advanced Technology in 2019.

Communication Mia Clay’s Ticket to Leadership Role

Before becoming an SMC communications major, Clay won Michigan Engineering Student of the Year and, in April 2019, testified before the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Talent and Economic Development on behalf of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG), which named her Student of the Year.

Roadrunners to Run Again

SMC will apply immediately for membership to Region 12 of the NJCAA, which will conduct an interview and evaluation process to consider the application. If SMC is approved, the college will begin the search for a coach and the recruiting of cross country runners for the fall 2021 season.

Miranda Gonzalez Awarded IT Scholarship

“IT is a field where I can see a clear path forward to grow and develop my career,” Gonzalez said. “I am studying IT networking. I find networking exciting because businesses and organizations of all kinds need the connection that networking provides. Wireless network implementation is an especially immediate demand. Recent events concerning the COVID-19 pandemic have put on display the importance of good networking solutions.”

Married SMC Nurses Navigate Pandemic

When Todd Mendez finished Southwestern Michigan College’s nursing program, his wife, Lauren, pinned him at the Dec. 16, 2016, ceremony. “When I discovered the world of health care four years ago, I didn’t know I had stumbled upon the most rewarding and challenging experience I’ve ever known,” Todd told his class assembled onstage in the Dale A. Lyons Building, thanking instructors who “saw things in me I never knew were there.”

Student Speaker Sings the Praises of Science

The Granger home-schooler, 18, is graduating from high school at the same time as SMC’s Honors Program with a 4.0 grade-point average and her Associate in Science in General Studies degree. In the indomitable way she and others of the Class of 2020 have rolled with punches landed by a global pandemic, she’s planning another double at Ohio’s Oberlin College and Conservatory by becoming a doctor twice. She wants to become a pediatric neurologist, which requires a medical degree. She also wants to

Niles Tutoring Supervisor Has Taught All Over the World

“SMC has given me a unique insight into the U.S. education system and how a community college can support a community,” said Scott, who worked for the British Council during six years in South Korea. Founded by the British government, it specializes in international cultural relations and educational opportunities, working closely with embassies around the world.

Robotics Skills Much in Demand

Eric Duis and Caleb Book have been friends since first grade. They got the same college head start by dual-enrolling at Southwestern Michigan College’s Niles Campus and graduated together from Niles High School in 2019. Since they studied robotics at SMC, they now work together, too. They already have jobs on the second shift at Lyons Industries in Dowagiac.