Southwestern Michigan College

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.

Southwestern Michigan College
TypeCommunity college
Established1964
ChairmanThomas F. Jerdon
PresidentDr. David M. Mathews
Students3,387 in Fall 2012
Location
Dowagiac
,
Michigan
,
United States

41.9658°N 86.0826°W / 41.9658; -86.0826
CampusDowagiac with one satellite campus (Niles)
AthleticsIntramural Sports
NicknameSMC
SportsNone
MascotRoadrunner
Websiteswmich.edu

History

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. 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. Their sports teams were nicknamed the "Roadrunners" before SMC dropped sports in 1998. Intramural sports are still popular on campus, however, and the Roadrunner moniker is still used.

Academics

Southwestern Michigan College offers Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science as well as certificate programs. It also offers bachelor's degrees on the Dowagiac campus through partnerships 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 towards an associate degree. Students take at least 21 credits from SMC which are recognized by MSU toward completion of a certificate.

Main campus

Currently the Main Campus houses 10 buildings:

  • Jan and A.C Kairis Building
  • Barbara Wood Building
  • Charles O. Zollar Sports Complex[2]
  • Dale A. Lyons Building
  • Foster W. Daugherty Building
  • Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center
  • Keith H. McKenzie Hall[3] (Student Housing)
  • William M. White Hall[4] (Student Housing)
  • Thomas F. Jerdon Hall[5] (Student Housing)
  • David C. Briegel Building
  • William P.D. O'Leary Building

Student Activity Center

The Student Activity Center is the center of campus life. It houses a fitness center, gymnasium, racquetball courts, rock climbing gym, resistance pools, cafe, student theater, 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.[6]

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 add to the Niles Campus. This building is known as the Harry T. Gast Building, named for the former Michigan state senator. Renovations began on the main building at the Niles Campus in 2013, and continued improvements are planned.[7]

Accreditations

Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Southwestern Michigan College is also a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

On-campus student housing

SMC Housing offers apartment style living with full kitchens and private, lockable bedrooms. These fully furnished four bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. SMC housing covers all utilities including wired and wireless internet, air conditioning, electricity, and water.

In fall 2009, Southwestern Michigan College opened their first residential housing facility on campus with a 130-bed student housing unit. On August 16, 2009 the student housing was dedicated and named in Honor of Keith H. McKenzie. Southwestern Michigan College's second housing unit, East Hall, on the College's Dowagiac campus opened for the fall 2010 semester.

Due to continuing high demand, SMC built their third housing facility which opened to students in 2013. Originally named South Hall, the building became William M. White Hall on August 19, 2013; East Hall was renamed Thomas F. Jerdon Hall on this date as well.[8]

Board of Trustees

Southwestern Michigan College is governed by a 7-member locally elected Board of Trustees.[9]

Name Position
Thomas F. Jerdon Chairman
Keith H. McKenzie Vice-Chairman
William M. White Secretary
Becky Moore Treasurer
Beth J. Cripe Trustee
Dr. Heidi M. Grabemeyer-Layman Trustee
Todd Obren Trustee

References
  1. Hellmann, Paul T. (2006-02-14). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 539. ISBN 978-1-135-94859-7.
  2. "Student Activity Center | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  3. "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  4. "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  5. "Community Colleges in Michigan with Dorms, Dowagiac, Niles| Campus Housing | Southwestern Michigan College". Swmich.edu. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  6. "Student Activity Center". Southwestern Michigan College. Southwestern Michigan College. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  7. "$3 million renovation of Niles Area Campus announced by Board of Trustees Monday Night". Southwestern Michigan College. Southwestern Michigan College. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  8. "Campus Housing". Southwestern Michigan College. Southwestern Michigan College. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  9. "Board of Trustees". Southwestern Michigan College. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
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