News

IT center still SMC goal

Thursday, January 13, 2005 10:44 AM EST

Southwestern Michigan College continues to aggressively pursue funding for creation of an Information Technology (IT) certification center, President Dr. David M. Mathews reported to the Board of Trustees Tuesday night.

Goal of this center will be to provide IT training and certification beyond what is currently available anywhere in the region.

This center will be designed to serve individual students, businesses and the community.

SMC is also looking for additional revenue sources that would allow for Phase II of the expansion of nursing and human services offerings as well as for expanded bachelor degree offerings.

Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews noted, "SMC has made a tremendous difference in our region over the past 40 years.

"In spite of many obstacles, the citizens of Cass County and Hamilton and Keeler townships in Van Buren County have developed a college that is second-to-none in the nation.

"Since the first year the college was in operation up to and including the current year, SMC has always operated within a balanced budget to bring value to the community.

"SMC has diligently worked to control expenditures while maintaining high quality and open access. This is the key. We are not just cutting costs. SMC plays a key role in the economic stability of our region, so we are continuing to invest in expanded educational opportunities and workforce training. We are committed to keeping quality high. We have accomplished this as shown by our high-quality facilities and student success rates. We are committed to keeping access to affordable, high-quality higher education for the citizens of our region.

"The effective restoration of half a mill and an additional one mill of support that will be voted on this coming May will allow the college to move forward in the initiatives so critical to the future of our community.

"If approved, this will be only the second millage increase in the college's 40-year history. With this funding, the high quality and broad scope of programs that the community has come to expect from SMC can be maintained for years to come," Chairman Mathews concluded.

Trustees awarded a pin for 25 years of service to John Hartman of Lawton.

Hartman joined the SMC faculty full-time in 1979 as instructor of social science.

He holds a bachelor of science degree and two master's degrees from Western Michigan University, one in counseling and one in teaching psychology.

Hartman was one of the three faculty members most instrumental in the development of SMC's new "Creative Classroom."

Hartman also served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

The board also awarded a pin for 10 years of service to Dr. Scott Topping of Dowagiac.

Topping joined the full-time faculty at SMC in 1994 as instructor of communications.

In 1999 he was appointed chairperson of the Communications Department.

Topping holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, a master's degree from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University.

Prior to his academic career, Topping served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1992.

In his president's report, Dr. David M. Mathews updated trustees regarding upcoming campus events.

The public is invited to attend the new museum exhibit, "On the Air! Michigan Radio and Television Broadcasting" that runs through April 9.

As always, museum admission is free.

Hours of the museum are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

An exhibit featuring the work of University of Notre Dame professor Bill Kremer will be featured in the SMC art gallery through Jan. 24.

Kremer creates large-scale vessel forms in his wood-fired kiln.

A public reception will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 12:30 p.m.

The SMC art gallery is located in room 108 of the Dale A. Lyons Building.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Admission to the art gallery is also free.

The Fine and Performing Arts Department will present the classic musical "Annie Get Your Gun" this semester.

Show dates are Thursday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m.

Tickets cost $7, $5 for seniors.

Students aged 18 and under are free.

All seats are general admission.

To reserve a ticket, contact the SMC box office at 269/782-1280 or 269/687-1600, ext. 1280.

Trustees accepted $384,116 in contributions from the community with a resolution of thanks for these gifts.

Trustees authorized the purchase of a pickup truck for $20,070.18 for the maintenance department.

Trustees also opened bids for the repair and replacement of air conditioning components in the College Services Building.

The board authorized the administration to award the air conditioning bid to the low bidder meeting specifications.

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