By Staff
NILES - Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees recognized K&M Machine-Fabricating Inc. for its recent equipment donation, reviewed the performance of SMC's Excel program, awarded service pins, accepted gifts and grants and conducted other business at its regularly convened meeting for April Tuesday evening on the Niles Area campus.
Trustees awarded Cassopolis-based K&M Machine-Fabricating Inc. with a Certificate of Appreciation honoring the company's donation of a $72,000 Vertical Machining Center to the college.
Representing K&M were Derek McLoughlin, plant manager of machine operations, and Emily McLoughlin, human resources administrator.
According to Mr. McLoughlin, "Probably the single biggest issue holding back our growth is the lack of qualified people to man the positions we have open. On the welding side, we have worked with the College to design a Welding "Fast Track" Program that is being taught at SMC. On the machining side, we donated this piece of equipment so SMC can help develop a similar program that will train local people to be machine operators at K&M. We have begun hiring Fast Track program completers and expect to continue to add to our team as additional training sessions are complete. The Fast Track program started in December 2004."
"Southwestern Michigan College is meeting the challenge of educating and training our area workforce so they are able to find good jobs in this area. This initiative keeps our area businesses healthy, assures the tax base for strong infrastructure and provides jobs for the families of our community," explained Dr. David Mathews, president of the College.
Dr. Diane Chaddock presented the Board with performance statistics on the EXCEL program, one of SMC's federally grant-funded programs designed to help
SMC's EXCEL program was created to increase higher education retention, graduation, and transfer to four year colleges and universities. This program serves 250 students annually providing comprehensive advising, tutoring, transfer assistance, cultural enrichment and other forms of academic support including workshops and supplemental grants. Since its beginning, EXCEL has served more than 2,500 SMC students.
EXCEL program accomplishment statistics:
82% of participants were retained from fall to winter semester.
80% of participants were retained from winter to fall (from one academic year to the next).
At the end of winter semester, 80% had a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher.
75% of participants successfully completed developmental courses.
More than 50% graduate or transfer within five years.
The Trustees awarded a pin for 10 years of service to Carol Halgren. Halgren joined the staff in 1983 as a part-time computer information instructor. She was awarded regular adjunct faculty status in April of 1995. Prior to coming to SMC, Halgren taught at the Berrien County Intermediate Schools. She holds a degree from Western Michigan University and resides in Berrien Springs. Halgren's passion is teaching. She continues to be a true asset to the College through her dedication and knowledge in computer information technology. Halgren has four children and four grandchildren. Her youngest is graduating from Berrien Springs High School this June.
President Mathews also updated the Trustees regarding recent and upcoming events.
The South Korean-based Universal Tae Kwon Do Union (UTU) XPL Demonstration Team was at the College on Friday, April 8 performing their talents to students, faculty and community members. The team, who won the 2004 world championship, consists of members ranging in age from 8 to 16. The team had been performing throughout the area for the past week before returning home to South Korea. Dr. David Mathews, President of the College, Eileen Crouse, Executive Director of Community Services, Ron Gunn, Director of the Wellness Activities and Dana Walker, Secretary to the Director of Wellness Activities were presented honorary Black Belts for their dedication to educating students and community members about the benefits of Tae Kwon Do.
The college had its annual Honors Awards reception on Monday, April 11 in Mathews Conference Center East on the Dowagiac campus. A total of 98 students will graduate with honors this year. At the reception, Dr. Mathews congratulated honors students in attendance for all their hard work and dedication to their studies.
An exhibit featuring the works of the Winter Semester students will be on display at the SMC Art Gallery beginning April 11 through April 20. 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 gallery is free.
SMC's Spring Choral Concert will take place on Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building. Tickets for the evening performance are $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, extension 1280.
The Sophomore Scholarship Exhibit will be on display at the SMC Art Gallery beginning April 22 through April 26. SMC freshmen exhibit their portfolios and compete for sophomore scholarship awards. 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 gallery is free.
On April 27th, the Museum at SMC will open an exhibit entitled, "Beyond Horsepower: The Science of Cars." The exhibit will address some of the elusive scientific concepts that make cars operate. A reception will be held from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to stop in and see the exhibit.
This is an especially exciting exhibit for the museum because it is being built in cooperation with Southwestern Michigan College's Automotive Technology Department. Thirteen students are working with the museum to create seven exhibits, which visitors will find both educational and engaging.
According to Frank Scuiletti, Automotive Technology instructor, his students are highly enthusiastic about the opportunity to build museum exhibits and it affords them a high level of learning. "This class takes learning to the synthesis and evaluation level of Bloom's taxonomy of learning. Students take what they know and make something out of it. They evaluate their technical knowledge and grow from it."
The scientific themes that will be addressed in the exhibit are hydraulics, magnetism, pneumatics, friction, electricity, mechanical relationships and light. A major component of the exhibit is a conceptualized hydro shock rocket, a motorcycle that will illustrate the future of technology through a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle and wheels that are powered through magnetism.
There will be many hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. The exhibit opening reception is Wednesday, April 27th from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the museum, located on the Dowagiac campus. There is no admission charge and the event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served and students will be on hand to explain their work. For additional information, please call 269-782-1374 or go to www.swmich.edu/museum.
SMC's 38th commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zollar Sports Center on the Dowagiac campus. Sherman Ostrander, Superindendent of Edwardsburg Schools and former Director of Financial Aid at SMC will speak at the April 30 graduation ceremonies.
The Board also accepted $1,700 in gifts and grants from the community with a resolution of thanks for these gifts and grants.
From Mr. and Mrs. John Korzun, North Brunswick, NJ,
a contribution in the amount of: $1,000
From Mr. and Mrs. Don Lyons, Dowagiac,
a contribution in the amount of: $500
From Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McCullough, Niles,
a contribution in the amount of: $100
From Mr. Gail Russel, Dowagiac,
A contribution in the amount of: $100
Cutline #1 for picture labeled K&M3: Dr. David Mathews, president of SMC presented Derek McLoughlin, Plant Manager of Machine Operations and Emily McLoughlin, Human Resources Administrator for K&M Machine-Fabricating Inc. with a Certificate of Appreciation for the company's donation of a $72,000 Vertical Machining Center.
Cutline #2 for picture labeled Halgren1: SMC Board Secretary Jan Kairis presented faculty member Carol Halgren with her 10-year service pin at Tuesday night's board meeting.