Southwestern Michigan College recognized 113 students who will graduate with honors at the college’s 46th commencement on May 4.

The annual SMC Honor Reception, held recently in the Fred L. Mathews Conference Center East, showcased students who earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

“Every year Southwestern Michigan College takes pride in the quality of education it is able to give its students,” said college President David Mathews, who welcomed the students, their families and friends to the event. “This quality speaks for itself by the number of students graduating with honors each year. It is SMC’s goal to insure its students have a solid educational foundation when they transfer to another university or enter the workforce.”

Honor student Jennifer Jones, of Constantine, was also recognized as representing the college on the All-Michigan Academic Team.

Guest speaker for the reception was Dr. Stacy Horner, chair of the college’s School of Business.

Horner, who has a doctorate in leadership with an emphasis on higher education administration from Andrews University, has taught business classes at SMC since 2005.

Musical entertainment was provided by the college’s Select Voices, directed by David Carew, SMC’s choral music director.

Horner told honor students they are “the best of the best.

“You have just finished your first chapter and like any first chapter of a good book, it should get you interested in the entire book.”
Horner described how she is a goal setter and while many students may feel like they are finished or want to take a break, they should enjoy their new role as graduate but still consider the next chapter.

Describing her journey a few years ago to China and Japan, Horner told students she climbed the Great Wall in “of all things, flip-flops instead of supportive Adidas. But I kept climbing.”

“We all need support,” Horner said. “You needed support to get here today. Sometimes you wanted to stop, go out with friends instead of studying, but kept climbing towards your goal.”

Horner concluded that the climb will always be long and hard, but worth it; especially when you get started and finish strong.

“Today, is the next chapter in your life.”

Below are the honor graduates listed by home town:

Berrien Springs
Crystal Harrington
Benjamin Hausmann
Ryan Kubsch
Ryan Marschke
John Robertson
Stephanie Turney

Bridgman
Brandon Ashley
Christina Evans
Erika Peterson

Buchanan
Steven Andriukaitis
Rikki Ferrell
Pamela Kuntz
Heather Martell
Courtney Miller

Cassopolis
Michelle Canfield
Heather Ellis
Meghan Haas
Amanda Higley
Audrea LaBaDie
Heather Neu
Joan Norman
Jennifer Parrish
Rick Pasley
Michele Poitras

Coloma
Bianca Wright

Decatur
Lauren Glynn
Kristina Henderson
Brook Krall
Kevin Mead
Gary Stoll
James Tidd
Carin Wilber

Dowagiac
Anita Beach
Tiffany Brooks
Rachel Carlisle
Rebecca Craft
Beth Dayson
Bethani Eichel
Elisabeth Gokey
Lindsay Heidenreich
John Hokanson
Shannon Keene
Cherie Longden
Samantha Mathews
Sarah McCuddy
Jonathon Myers
Matthew Oosterwal
Brittany Parritt
Emily Phillips
Danielle Taylor
Erika Taylor
Jessica Whitmore
Ashley Williams
Toby Yuhas

Eau Claire
James Laubach

Edwardsburg
Jill Bralick
Bryana Craig
Stacie Litty
Timothy Maret
Stephanie Sellers
Janelle Wesley

Galien
David Reisenbichler
Gobles
Rebecca Cramer

Hartford
Lauren Dowd
Jones
Derek Bent
Robert Ross

Lawton
Rachel Mroz

Marcellus
Cody Mikel
Jesica Mitchell
Kelsey Steinkraus

Niles
Donnie Batman
Ashlee Bielski
Nicholas Bowker
Andrew Eckstein
Amanda Grice
Cole Hensel
Desire Ingabire
S Jones
Julie Kater
Samuel Petersen
Courtney Reed
William Riley
Brandon Rouse
James Schrader
Lance Shortman
Emily Wagner
Sarah Weatherburn