At its Jan 10 meeting, the Board of Trustees at Southwestern Michigan College elected officers for the next two years.

The board, by unanimous vote, elected the following current officers: re-elected for two-year terms were Dr. Fred Mathews, chairman; Keith McKenzie, vice chairman; and Tom Jerdon, treasurer.

Jan Kairis, long-time secretary of the board, requested not to continue as secretary.

William White was unanimously elected secretary to the board.

The board adopted a resolution of thanks for Kairis’ long and excellent service as board secretary.

Mathews commented that “board minutes and records Kairis was responsible for as secretary were always flawless. The board deeply appreciates her board secretary service.”

Mathews, founding chairman of the Board of Trustees, starts his 47th year in this position.

As of a few months ago, Mathews is now the longest-serving community college board chairman among some 1,200 community colleges in this nation.

Mathews said, “I thank my fellow trustees for their continued confidence in me. These past 46 years, since SMC was founded, have been very challenging, but very rewarding.

“Having been part of the founding Board of Trustees and helping take Southwestern Michigan College from an idea and a vacant cornfield to what today is one of the nation’s premier community colleges is an experience I cherish.

“The great success of SMC is because of many people and especially the dedicated, capable, determined and talented trustees who comprised the Board of Trustees these many years. 

“Every trustee I have had the pleasure to work with has served for the right reasons — community service and student success. We all serve without pay.

“The college has been blessed by a supportive citizen constituency, great presidents, faculty, administration, support staffs and citizen advisory boards and committees. 

“The college has indeed been a community project. SMC has been and is currently blessed by a fine group of legislators who are always there to help us in Lansing and Washington.

“Southwestern Michigan College is grounded on a very sound base. It is now poised to move forward to even greater success in the years ahead. 

“SMC has made a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of people these past 46 years. This is what our mission is all about,” Mathews concluded.