More than 500 students attended Sept. 24’s Southwestern Michigan College Fair in the Charles O. Zollar Building, encompassing 1^st Source Bank Fieldhouse and the Student Activity Center.

Representatives from 46 colleges and universities were available to visitors from 10 a.m. to noon.

High school students could talk to representatives from a wide variety of colleges and universities in one convenient location to get answers to questions about admissions, programs and financial aid.

Schools in attendance included Brandywine Junior/Senior High School, Buchanan High School, Cassopolis High School, Career Academy South Bend, Coloma High School, Covert High School, Hartford High School, Kalamazoo Phoenix High School, Michigan Lutheran High School, Niles High School, River Valley High School, Three Rivers High School, Volinia Outcomes and Watervliet High School.

Last year the College Fair became a daytime event after years in the evening. About 350 attended in 2024.

Senior Admissions Counselor/Event Coordinator Allyson Harris called it a “successful day. Not only do students have the opportunity to get all their questions answered in one place, but they get to do so on a college campus. It was many students’ first time on our beautiful campus.”

“Transportation plays a huge role” in the attendance increase, Harris said. “It’s more convenient for students to attend during school hours. We also have a large number of dual-enrolled students who may already be on campus.”

Not counted in the 505 total is any current SMC students who availed themselves of the opportunity.

“We communicate early on with the counselors and try to get them on board with bringing students to the College Fair,” Harris said. “They understand how beneficial it is for their students to meet with college reps.”