The irony of winning Michigan State University’s agricultural recognition is not lost on Southwestern Michigan College’s Scott A. Topping.

SMC’s dean of arts and sciences received the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute of Agricultural Technology Honorary Certificate on March 26 in agricultural operations, fruit and vegetable crop management, landscape management and viticulture.

Not bad for a non-farmer who grew up next to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Cass County’s sole city. He still lives in Dowagiac.

The university presented Topping with the award at Wharton Center during the graduation of 151 with the 123rd class. Sparty, MSU’s muscular mascot, attended the ceremony.

“The Honorary Ag Tech Certificate was bestowed upon Scott Topping in recognition of his commitment and contribution to our programs as well as the agriculture industry,” said IAT Director Dr. Randy Showerman.

Showerman, an ag tech product himself, said of the latest crop, in such areas as livestock, dairy management, turf, fruit and vegetable crop management, 91 percent expect to stay in Michigan — 65 percent in their home communities.

Topping and Showerman first discussed an SMC-MSU alliance four years ago.

“My three weeks of corn detasseling in 1976 have finally paid off!” Topping laughed.

Topping “could have said ‘no’ in 2014, to bringing (IAT) programs to SMC, saving himself a great deal of stress,” SMC student Jared Frank said introducing him. “This Ph.D. graduate of Western Michigan University and U.S. Army veteran is an advocate for ag tech, veterans’ education and bees. Yes, bees.

“Dr. Topping’s support of ideas to merge activities from the visual arts, environmental sciences and mechatronics programs with Ag Tech student activities ensures students can work together on current and future projects.

“Dr. Topping’s support helps Ag Tech students feel welcome and vital at SMC, along with his humorous and encouraging words at student gatherings. Dr. Topping unifies his faculty and students in unique ways. For that, we thank you Dr. Topping, for your service and your support.”

MSU has 11 such partners as SMC, which graduates its first class of eight May 6. Four of the eight traveled to East Lansing, including Shelby Pruett, studying in Northern Ireland this summer. She also spoke.

“Randy said I’m the first employee of a two-year college to ever get it,” Topping said, who was accompanied by his wife, Lisa; Vice President of Instruction David Fleming; and Stacey Rocklin, MSU’s SMC coordinator.

“Graduates were in front of me and honor graduates were on stage around me,” Topping said. “To get the certificate surrounded by people who actually earned it is a great honor. And if I’m going to get an ag degree, to get one from Michigan State! That’s pretty cool, too.

“I accepted on behalf of the team that really made it happen. I asked for a greenhouse, but Stacey did all the work figuring that out, then Dave Fleming and [Vice President and Chief Business Officer and Ag Club co-advisor] Susan Coulston championed it.

“The club provides complementary hands-on activities we can’t fit in the program. We have the students we do because everybody in admissions, advising and financial aid took time to learn the program to refer people. That level of support is rare at a partner school. As an intermediary, I had the best seat to watch it progress since we made the deal to bring them here. I did make the case for beehives. We’re going to have SMC honey!

“Farmers, veterinarians, everyone in this area graduated from Michigan State. They were excited, so we have a huge, helpful advisory board with more internship offers than we can fill with current students. Advisory board members also volunteer as mentors so students can talk with an industry person a couple of times a semester.”

Topping, awarded his 20-year service pin in September 2014, started as a communication instructor. He has a master’s degree in English from Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland.

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.