DOWAGIAC — Thomas F. Jerdon, chairman of the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees, announced last Thursday that Trustee Dr. Heidi Grabemeyer-Layman submitted a letter of resignation that will be presented at the next regular Board meeting on Feb. 24.  Dr. Grabemeyer-Layman stated that she and her husband will be moving out of the SMC taxpaying district, and, therefore, she must resign from the board in order to comply with state statutes before her residency changes.     

“It has been my privilege to serve as a trustee and to see the progress made at SMC in that time, including the renovation and expansion of the nursing building,” Grabemeyer-Layman said. “I appreciate the board appointing me five years ago and the voters electing me the following fall.”

“I’m sure the board will accept Dr. Grabemeyer-Layman’s resignation with regret, as she has been a dedicated and thoughtful trustee for five years and has provided valuable input at all meetings and discussions,” Jerdon said. “I know she will be missed by all trustees. With an incredible medical career and a growing family, she has served SMC with many other demands competing for her time.”

Grabemeyer-Layman was appointed to the board in February 2015 to fill a vacancy and was subsequently elected to the seat.  She is a board-certified OB/GYN with South Shore Women’s Health Care in St. Joseph. She and her husband, Joel Layman, currently live in Pokagon Township with their three children and own J.D. Layman Farms, Inc.

Jerdon said that pursuant to Michigan law, the board must replace any trustee vacancy within a short period of time.  He said that after any appointment, the appointee is placed on the ballot for the next general election. Grabemeyer-Layman’s replacement will stand for election on the non-partisan ballot this November, and, if elected, will serve a six-year term.

Jerdon said he invites current residents of the SMC district who are interested in applying for the board vacancy to send a letter to that effect addressed to his attention at Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI, 49047.  Those wishing to respond via email should call (269) 782-1271 for the address. Letters must be received no later than 5 p.m. March 5.  Jerdon anticipates a review of candidates and possible action on the vacancy at a special board meeting to be scheduled soon thereafter.