News

Southwestern Michigan College’s Math/Science Department April 27  paid tribute to Austin McCreary.

McCreary received the Darrin Williams Memorial Scholarship in a presentation at the end of her Chemistry 102 class, sharing cupcakes with her classmates.

In addition to the Darrin Williams Memorial Scholarship, McCreary earned the Capt. Iven Kincheloe Scholarship, the Mark A. Westrate Scholarship, a Presidential Scholarship, a STEM Scholarship and a Summer Bridge Scholarship.

The Darrin Williams Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of a 1988 SMC graduate from Dowagiac. This STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) transfer scholarship recognizes a second-year student who exhibits traits Darrin exemplified: scholarship, service to the department, integrity, cooperation and a sense of humor.

Williams went on to Michigan Technological University, but died in an auto accident coming home for Christmas.

McCreary, a Constantine High School graduate from Union, graduates May 9 and plans on taking a gap year before studying mechanical engineering at Purdue University.

Her father studied electrical engineering at Purdue.

“I practically live in Indiana now,” McCreary said. “I go to church in Indiana. I work in Indiana. I plan to move there during my gap year.”

“The funds will be sent to their transfer school of choice,” Interim Dean Robin Shipkosky said.

“I knew I wanted to start at a two-year school for my general courses,” said McCreary, who took dual-enrollment courses through Glen Oaks Community College in St. Joseph County’s Centreville.

“My great-grandmother went here for nursing,” McCreary said. “She turned 91 last year.”

McCreary — Austin is a “tribute” to her mother’s maiden name — is the oldest of three. Her sister, two years younger, “is doing the five-year plan at Glen Oaks, so she’ll graduate high school with her associate degree.” She also has a younger brother.