The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees heard President Dr. David Mathews’ State of the College, awarded service pins to four employees and accepted $30,500 in gifts at its regular meeting Sept. 21 on the Dowagiac campus.

“The rate of student success has increased steadily by more than 10 percent over the last decade. Each of the last four years we’ve set a record high student success rate, then broke it the next year. SMC student success rates are the highest they’ve ever been,” Mathews said.

“We just got the new report for the last quarter and our registered nurse pass rate was 100-percent. We have twice administered the Noel-Levitz survey of student satisfaction. In seven of eight categories we increased the level of student satisfaction between 2012 and 2015. In every case, we are above the national average for 1,200 community colleges,” Mathews said. “For the first time in the history of the United States, half of baccalaureate degree recipients had community college credits.”

Mathews highlighted what SMC’s staff accomplished during a busy summer:

• As nursing faculty prepared to seek national certification, science faculty vacated the Foster W. Daugherty Building for renovated quarters with new equipment in the William P.D. O’Leary Science Building.

“This new facility continues our commitment to world-class educational facilities for the students of our community,” Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas F. Jerdon said, inviting the public for a tour on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

“We’re having a Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and community open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.,” Jerdon said. “RSVPs are encouraged at (269) 782-1271.”

• The Wellness Committee organized the first Employee Olympics.

• Don Ricker accompanied criminal justice students to SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, where Justin Desjardin of Dowagiac finished fifth in the nation.

• Kyle Kelly took the newly-formed IT Club to Gen Con in Indianapolis, the longest-running, best-attended gaming convention in the world.

• Math and science faculty are collaborating on the first fall science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) conference for area high school teachers and their top students.

• Mark Pelfrey and Gary Franchy are in the early stages of creating an SMC honors program.

• Eric Clayborn, Andrew Churchill, Michele Harlow and Bethany Whittaker completed their first triathlons at Sister Lakes.

• Most volunteered for the second Steve’s Run to take place on the SMC campus.

“It was an unqualified positive event blessed by great weather. I heard for three weeks what a beautiful campus we have and how helpful and friendly everyone working this event was,” Mathews said.

• Information Technology staff kept everything humming while short two programmers.

• Webmaster Sue Schmeichel dispersed ORC, the Online Resources Center.

• Financial Aid Director Chris Passer and Institutional Research Coordinator Nick Mustak served as interim registrar and assistant registrar.

• IT and Financial Aid collaborated to launch document imaging.

• Becky Craft, who received her 25-year service pin, oversaw enrollment with a new health insurance carrier, Aetna.

• Brittany Cavanary streamlined students’ account statements.

• Larry Wilson spent three weeks building Boy Scout cabins.

• Math faculty organized two summer camps designed to boost students’ placements.

• Director of Choral Activities David Carew, who received his 10-year service pin, conducted choral camp with high school students.

• Director of Theatre Paul Mow guided Down State Left Musicals’ “Oklahoma.”

“SMC is better than we were four months ago because of these efforts,” Mathews said.

Trustees, with a resolution of thanks, accepted a $15,000 contribution from St. Denys Foundation of Dowagiac for student scholarships, a $15,000 contribution from The Schalon Foundation of St. Joseph for Down State Left Musicals and $500 from Bonnie Latourette of Dowagiac.

 

About Southwestern Michigan College

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.