During Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Chairman Fred L. Mathews, left, honored Vice Chairman Keith H. McKenzie of Marcellus for 25 years of service.

During Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees meeting Monday, board member Keith H. McKenzie was honored for 25 years of service to the college.
Also, during the meeting, the board received the annual state licensure pass rate for the college’s nursing graduates.
McKenzie, who became a member of the SMC Board of Trustees in 1987, currently serves as vice chairman of the board. He is a graduate of Marcellus High School and continued his education at Michigan State University. He has been a career farmer for more than 40 years in the Marcellus area.
Throughout the years, McKenzie has served as past president of the Michigan
Livestock Exchange, served on the Michigan Livestock Board, National Livestock Meat Board, and the U.S. Meat Federation Board. He also served on the National Livestock Producers Board as well as on the Michigan Commission of Agriculture.
McKenzie received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award from Michigan Farm Bureau. Each year, this award is given to a deserving individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the state’s agricultural industry.
McKenzie and his wife, Darlene, have three children, are active members of Wakelee United Methodist Church and have been long-time members of the Volinia Community Action Group.
The board also reviewed a report from the state of Michigan that shows that SMC has a pass rate 100 percent for its licensed practical nursing graduates who took the state exam.
This compares to a state average of 92 percent and a rate of 84 percent nationally for the same period.
Additionally, the annual pass rate for SMC registered nurse graduates who took the state licensure exam was 94 percent for 2011.
This percentage is above the state and national averages of 88 percent and 87 percent, respectively.
“The quality of the college’s nursing program is evident from these outstanding licensure test scores,” David Mathews, president of SMC, said.
“What is most remarkable is that SMC’s registered nurses have a higher pass rate (94 percent) on the state board licensing examination than those students who graduated from the state’s four-year nursing programs.
“SMC provides affordable access to an exceptionally high-quality nursing program. We are proud of the success of our students and of the faculty who help make this a reality.”