News

SMC Graduates 14-Member Nursing Class

Southwestern Michigan College Dec. 10 welcomed 14 new nurses to America’s largest health care profession with more than four million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide.

SMC Recaps 2025 Accomplishments

During its last regular meeting of the year Dec. 10, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees paused to glance back at 2025, before forging ahead into 2026.

19 Instrumentalists Perform at SMC Fall Recital

Nineteen instrumental musicians performed Dec. 9 at Southwestern Michigan College Visual and Performing Arts’ fall semester recital in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow, Welding Technology

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—John Gershoffer

When John Gerschoffer graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1994, he signed up for programming classes at Southwestern Michigan College. “Programming didn't sit well with me, so I ended up stopping,” he said. Gerschoffer's back on campus now, having received an SMC advanced technology scholarship, and is studying robotics. In fact, he's in his final semester.

Michigan Reconnect Helps Veteran Find Her Welding Passion

Katie Brownlow earned her one-year Southwestern Michigan College welding certificate in April and parlayed her internship into a job with Cotton Gin Smokers, premium, hand-crafted barbecue smokers made on Terminal Road, Niles. Brownlow, a single mom and veteran who turns 38 in July, plans to continue to her welding associate degree. “I’ve got that fire in me again,” Brownlow said, “and it’s not burning out. I’m not going backwards anymore.”

SMC Recognizes 28 Employees

Twenty-eight individuals were recognized at Southwestern Michigan College’s annual Employee Retirement and Recognition Breakfast May 1 in Mathews Conference Center East, including two retirees, Dr. Karen Reilly and Edward Derbin.

Having Fun with History

Southwestern Michigan College’s Amber Bader attended the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies (ICMS) May 14-16. Bader, who teaches two sections of Western Civilization 102 this fall, participated in several panels and a workshop focused on engagement with students and the public at large.