News

1981 Champion Roots for SMC’s Cross-Country Atmosphere

Perry Reichanadter remembers coming to Southwestern Michigan College to run cross country as “somewhat of a shock” and “extremely odd” in a good way. Cross country athletes felt marginalized at many schools, but SMC’s atmosphere made runners feel like “superstars,” said Reichanadter, 60, a member of the 1981 national-champion team. His Roadrunners ran away with their fifth title in nine years.

SMC Foundation Board Adds Two New Members

Southwestern Michigan College Foundation’s board recently added two new members, Priscilla Gatties and Julie Dye.

SMC Mascot Ronnie Roadrunner Going Green

With Southwestern Michigan College rejoining the National Junior College Athletic Association so its five-time national champion cross country team can run again in Fall 2021, SMC’s mascot, Ronnie Roadrunner, is going green.

SMC awards 376 degrees to Class of 2020

Southwestern Michigan College awarded 376 degrees to the Class of 2020 at its virtual commencement June 13. SMC conferred 142 Associate in Arts (AA) degrees, 40 Associate in Science (AS) degrees, 161 Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees and 33 certificates.

Art Appreciation Class Encourages Compassion

Assistant Professor Shannon Eakins’ art appreciation class is responsible for the interactive project, which attempts to send messages to other students based on artists discussed in class, such as Jenny Holzer. Holzer conveys messages she calls truisms by projection in public spaces.

SMC Board of Trustees Devotes Day to Long-Range Planning

Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees during its annual day-long strategic planning session Oct. 26 approved two new allied health programs, Associate in Applied Science in MRI Technology and Associate in Applied Science in Neurodiagnostic Technology (EEG). All seven trustees joined college administration via Zoom in the public meeting. Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees during its annual day-long strategic planning session Oct. 26 approved two new allied health programs,

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.