New SMC degree harnesses entrepreneurial spirit
On Feb. 4, Southwestern Michigan College’s Board of Trustees heard two business-oriented presentations — a new Associate in Arts in Entrepreneurship degree for Fall 2019 and paid Crowe accounting internships introduced on the Dowagiac campus.
“These are two very exciting sets of opportunities for SMC students,” President Dr. David Mathews said.
Board of Trustees reviews 2018 achievements
Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. David Mathews recapped 10 notable 2018 accomplishments for the Board of Trustees at the final meeting of the year:
• SMC in July was voted “Best Local College” in Leader Publications’ 2018 Best of the Best Readers’ Choice contest. “That’s a reflection of how the college is viewed by generation after generation of area residents who’ve gone to Southwestern Michigan College,” Mathews said.
$17,500 awarded in Ed Guse ag scholarships

SMC Trustees Todd Obren and Keith McKenzie; Edward A. Guse Agricultural Scholarship recipients Hannah Gibson of Berrien Springs and Andrea Lee of Hudson; Cliff Poehlman, executor of Edward Guse’s estate; and SMC Trustee Bill White.
Southwestern Michigan College Trustees met Edward A. Guse Agricultural Scholarship recipients at the Dowagiac campus greenhouse prior to their Sept. 17 meeting.
Students Hannah Gibson and Andrea Lee visited with Trustees Keith McKenzie, Todd Obren and William White, Guse estate executor Cliff Poehlman and Stacey Rocklin, coordinator of Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Institute of Agricultural Technology.
Community responds to Welcome Week
The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Sept. 17 heard a Welcome Week recap from Vice President of Student Services Dr. Joseph Odenwald, including gratitude from ACTION Ministries for assistance that SMC students provided on Friday’s Community Service Day.
ACTION — Area Churches Together in One Network — operates a food pantry at 301 Main St. in Dowagiac. After being oriented to their new community Thursday evening, Aug. 30, with a Downtown at Dusk scavenger hunt, concert and barbecue picnic, many SMC students returned Aug. 31 to volunteer.
SMC Trustees recognize President Mathews

President Dr. David Mathews
At their June 18 meeting, the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees recognized “the tremendous positive impact Dr. David Mathews has on the College,” recognizing him as on July 1 he becomes the longest-serving president in the college’s history.