Room to Grow at SMC

A whole college experience provides learning outside of classrooms. That’s why Southwestern Michigan College launched the Room to Grow capital campaign. Room to Grow provides dedicated space for SMC’s growing wrestling program, including a larger competition and training area as women join the mix this fall. Only 29 NJCAA schools offer women’s wrestling. SMC will be first in Michigan to offer this increasingly popular sport to women.

SMC Announces New Wrestling Facility, Arts Building Upgrade and ‘Room to Grow’ Capital Campaign

Southwestern Michigan College announced two construction projects today: an expansion of the Charles O. Zollar Building to include a brand-new wrestling room for the Roadrunners and upgrades to the Dale A. Lyons Building to improve music facilities for faculty, students and the community.

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow

Tales From Adult Learners—Tim Witherow, Welding Technology

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—Samantha Roberts

Tales From Adult Learners—John Gershoffer

When John Gerschoffer graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1994, he signed up for programming classes at Southwestern Michigan College. “Programming didn't sit well with me, so I ended up stopping,” he said. Gerschoffer's back on campus now, having received an SMC advanced technology scholarship, and is studying robotics. In fact, he's in his final semester.

Michigan Reconnect Helps Veteran Find Her Welding Passion

Katie Brownlow earned her one-year Southwestern Michigan College welding certificate in April and parlayed her internship into a job with Cotton Gin Smokers, premium, hand-crafted barbecue smokers made on Terminal Road, Niles. Brownlow, a single mom and veteran who turns 38 in July, plans to continue to her welding associate degree. “I’ve got that fire in me again,” Brownlow said, “and it’s not burning out. I’m not going backwards anymore.”

Community Welcomes Dr. Pleasant

Southwestern Michigan College’s ninth President Dr. Klint Pleasant was officially introduced to the community April 24 at a Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce reception on the SMC campus in the Charles O. Zollar Building’s Student Activity Center. Pleasant brings 28 years of experience in higher education, including two decades in leadership roles. His background spans enrollment management, athletics, development, student retention, mentoring and community relations.Southwestern Michigan Coll

SMC Open Mic Night Showcases Communication

A spring deluge pelting Mathews Conference Center East couldn’t dampen the spirit inside for Southwestern Michigan College’s Open Mic Night April 21. “We always like to have one of these showcases toward the end of an academic semester,” said English Professor Hailey Sheets, mistress of ceremonies. “This is a time to celebrate our creativity and our community here.

SMC Math-Science Department Recognizes Rigozzi

A surprised Oakley Rigozzi accepted the Southwestern Michigan College Math/Science Department Appreciation Award April 23 during the Green Club’s Earth Day activities in the Student Activity Center. Rigozzi, Miss South Haven 2025, is majoring in environmental sciences to become a “traveling scientist.”

SMC Speaker Series Celebrates 250 Years of Military Women

Women’s patriotic desire to serve is as old as America itself, but it took decades for their service to gain official recognition. In 250 years from 1776 to 2026, women served in unofficial capacities during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.