Southwestern Michigan College: Difference between revisions
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==Board of Trustees== |
==Board of Trustees== |
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Southwestern Michigan College is governed by a seven-member locally elected Board of |
Southwestern Michigan College is governed by a seven-member locally elected Board of Trustees. |
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==College Presidents== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 06:53, 20 December 2023
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| Motto | Knowledge for All |
|---|---|
| Type | Public community college |
| Established | 1964 |
| Chairman | Thomas F. Jerdon |
| President | Dr. Joseph Odenwald |
| Students | 1,807 in Fall 2023 |
| Location | , , United States 41°57′57″N 86°04′57″W / 41.9658°N 86.0826°W |
| Campus | Dowagiac with one satellite campus (Niles) |
Sporting affiliations | NJCAA – MCCAA |
| Mascot | Ronnie Roadrunner |
| Website | swmich.edu |
Southwestern Michigan College is a public community college with its main campus near Dowagiac, Michigan. It also has a campus just outside the city limits of Niles, Michigan.
History
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2009) |
Southwestern Michigan College was founded on November 19, 1964[1] after the voters of Cass County, Michigan approved a $1.5 million tax levy to fund a Cass County Community College. The name of the college was voted on and adopted by the board of trustees and approved in March of 1965.[2] On September 12, 1965, ground was broken for the main campus in Dowagiac, Michigan. Classes began at Southwestern Michigan College in September 1966. The college is located three miles (5 km) outside of Dowagiac, Michigan city limits.
The SMC mission, then and now, is to serve the community by providing affordable local access to high-quality postsecondary career preparation and college education. SMC strives to offer the full college experience for a fraction of the cost while also providing a personal touch.
Academics
Southwestern Michigan College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees as well as certificate programs. SMC offers bachelor's degrees on the Dowagiac campus through a partnership with Ferris State University, allowing students to take three years of classes at SMC's low tuition and pay only one year of the university's tuition. Additionally, the college has partnered with Michigan State University to help students earn an MSU certificate while also working toward an associate degree. Students take at least 21 credits from SMC, which are recognized by MSU toward completion of a certificate. SMC also has articulation agreements with many other four-year universities.
Offering both on-campus and hybrid learning options, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.
Athletics
In the early 1970s SMC had a strong intercollegiate athletics program, gaining national recognition for cross-country. The cross-country team won five NJCAA national championships (1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1981) and 23 Michigan Community College Athletics Association (MCCAA) championships. It produced three Hall of Fame runners, a Hall of Fame coach (Ron Gunn) and 41 All-Americans. SMC has also won four national championships in the marathon (1979, 1983, 1990, 1991) and the 1994 women’s basketball Division II national championship, for a total of 10 overall. Intercollegiate athletics were disbanded in 1997. However, men’s and women’s cross country returned in the fall of 2021, and in 2022 SMC added men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s wrestling, and women’s competitive dance.
Intramural and club sports have been an active aspect of campus life throughout the college's history, and in 2022, the college added bass fishing and esports teams, both of which compete on the national level.
Scholarships
SMC continues to pursue excellence in education and the student experience while working to keep costs affordable, so students from all walks of life can pursue their dreams. For this reason, SMC offers more than $1 million in scholarships to students every year, ranging from talent and team scholarships to academic scholarships and more.
Main Campus
Currently the Main Campus houses 10 buildings:
- Jan and A.C Kairis Building
- Barbara Wood Building
- Charles O. Zollar Building (Student Activity Center)[3]
- Dale A. Lyons Building
- Foster W. Daugherty Building
- Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center
- Keith H. McKenzie Hall[4] (Student Housing)
- William M. White Hall[5] (Student Housing)
- Thomas F. Jerdon Hall[6] (Student Housing)
- David C. Briegel Building
- William P.D. O'Leary Building
Student Activity Center
The Student Activity Center (SAC) in the Charles O. Zollar Building is the center of campus life. It houses a fitness center, rock climbing wall, café, student theatre, and game room complete with pool, foosball, ping pong, arcade games, and video games. All student facilities and events are free for all students. Community members can also buy memberships or day passes to the fitness center.[7]
The SAC is also home to the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse, a first-class modern court facility that serves as home to the SMC Roadrunners and seats 525 fans; the McLoughlin Family Foundation Suite, a second-floor suite that houses athletic offices and a “skybox” view of the court; and the SMC Sports Medicine Center.
Satellite Campus
In July 1992 the Niles Campus opened with a new 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) facility, located just outside the city limits of Niles, Michigan. In 1999 a 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m2) addition was completed, which came close to doubling the size of the Niles Campus. In 2001 a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m2) Michigan Technology Center was added. Named for a former Michigan state senator, this building is known as the Harry T. Gast Building.
On-campus Student Housing
SMC has three residence halls, each offering apartment style accommodations with spacious living areas, full kitchens, and secure, private bedrooms. These fully furnished four-bedroom apartments feature two full bathrooms.
SMC housing covers all utilities including wired and wireless internet, air conditioning, electricity, water, and parking. Each residence hall also offers on-site laundry facilities and community lounge areas with a big-screen TV and fireplace on each floor.
The three residence halls are connected by The Backyard, a spacious grassy area perfect for cookouts, volleyball, roasting marshmallows around the Fire Pit, or an outdoor movie.
Board of Trustees
Southwestern Michigan College is governed by a seven-member locally elected Board of Trustees.
College Presidents
References
- ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (2006-02-14). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 539. ISBN 978-1-135-94859-7.
- ^ "State College Name". Ann Arbor News. March 23, 1965. p. 5.
- ^ "Student Activity Center | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- ^ "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- ^ "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- ^ "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
- ^ "Student Activity Center". Southwestern Michigan College. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
External links
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