News
SMC Opens Zollar Roof Bids
Published on November 14, 2025 - 12 p.m.
Meeting at the Niles campus Nov. 12, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees opened bids for partially re-roofing 10,716 square feet of the Charles O. Zollar Building.
Base bids, ranging from $331,700 to $412,300, were submitted by three contractors, Hoekstra Roofing of Kalamazoo, Morris and Sons Roofing of Bourbon, Ind., and Midland Engineering of South Bend.
Architect Tony Leininger of Carmi Design Group, Niles, said he would evaluate the bids and provide a recommendation “early next week.”
Trustees voted to allow the administration to award the contract to the low bid meeting specifications. Construction is expected to start in March and involves cranes lowering three HVAC units from the roof.
In other business, trustees received the college’s audit from Plante Moran, presented by Partner Kenley Penner and Principal Michael Baker. SMC earned a “clean, unmodified opinion — the highest level of assurance” for the fiscal year ended June 30, Penner said. “The fact we don’t have to make year-end adjustments should give you confidence that you’re working with current, accurate information as you make important decisions.”
“The college is in great financial health,” Baker said.
“SMC has always had a balanced budget. We continue to be in excellent financial condition despite the many challenges in higher education,” said Board Chair Tom Jerdon. “Unlike many, SMC has not asked for nor received any additional property tax revenue via special bond or sinking fund millages, but instead, maintains facilities from the general budget. This is a true testament to the superb fiscal management the college has had for decades.”
Interim President Brent Brewer reported on successes in the final month of fall semester athletically and artistically to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
The volleyball team won the MCCAA Western Conference with an 11-1 conference mark, finished third in the MCCAA Championship and was runner-up in the Great Lakes District B bracket with an overall 29-9 record.
Women’s wrestling debuted Nov. 1 at the Ben McMullen Open at Muskegon Community College as one of five teams. Men’s wrestling started the season ranked 15th in the nation with two grapplers in the top five. Santana Ramon of Lincoln Park ranked fifth at 125 pounds. Dayveon Rupert of Battle Creek ranked third at 157 pounds.
The cross country teams braved snow on Nov. 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, at the NJCAA National Championships. The men finished 16th and the women 18th, with Dowagiac native Owen Saylor 24th to become SMC’s 34thmen’s cross country All-American and the 69th for the college.
“After a week off, they start training for track and field,” Brewer said.
“The band and choir fall events were outstanding,” Brewer continued. “The holiday concert is on Dec. 6 at 7:30. Founders Day (Nov. 7) was a success, celebrating the college’s 61 years with stories and songs. What a fantastic performance by our band and choir programs!”
Brewer also noted SMC’s support throughout the year of community service, from hosting the annual Halloween trick-or-treat for children, Thursday’s participation in United Way’s Rake a Difference and Sunday, Nov. 23, hosting the 58th Turkey Trot.
Brewer said spring registration opened Oct. 27. “As of Monday, Nov. 10, we had 1,136 students registered. We are 138 students ahead of last year. That is 13.9 percent up in head count and 11.6 percent up in contact hours.”
The board then acknowledged six gifts to the SMC Foundation totaling $14,675.
