“There’s tremendous interest in the college right now,” President Dr. Joseph Odenwald reported to the Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Oct. 11. “Last week we received the highest number of applications in a single week since we began keeping records.”
Trustees also received good news about student retention, which is at a 10-year high.
“We have led the state in enrollment credit-hour growth the last two years among all community colleges. Locally and statewide we are witnessing the predicted decline in high school numbers across Michigan, so we are essentially carving a larger slice of a shrinking enrollment pie. This is truly nothing short of amazing and the credit goes to the SMC team making the college a destination. The word is getting out about SMC,” Board Chair Thomas F. Jerdon said.
Fall 2024 stepped off to a solid start, with applications up one third compared to a year ago.
With nearly 400 living in three residence halls, including 224 first-year students, the board directed the administration to explore options to incrementally add housing beds and report back at the December meeting.
Odenwald noted the volleyball team is 17-8, the cross country teams are nationally-ranked at No. 12, the Bass Anglers rank 17th and the basketball teams saw their first preseason action over the weekend.
Wrestlers will be in intrasquad competition Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse.
“Oct. 27 will be a double feature. Cross country will compete in Grand Rapids for the NJCAA Region 12 crown and the fall band concert is that evening,” Odenwald said.
Trustees awarded six service pins to staff and faculty.
Marketing Director Michelle Orlaske of St. Joseph received her 15-year pin from Trustee Todd Obren.
The Dowagiac native joined SMC after seven years as a graphic designer for WOOD TV8, the NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids. At the college she has progressed through marketing assistant, marketing coordinator and marketing manager to director.
Orlaske earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Siena Heights University in Adrian and has a master’s degree in marketing communications from Eastern Michigan University.
She and her husband, Shawn, have been married for six years.
Senior Staff Accountant Stephanie Lyons of Dowagiac accepted her 15-year pin from Trustee Beth Cripe.
Lyons, from Watervliet, earned an associate degree from SMC and her bachelor’s degree in accounting through Ferris State University.
She and Craig, her husband of 18 years, have a daughter. Lyons is active as a Dowagiac schools volunteer and with Dowagiac Conservation Club. She is treasurer of Miss Michele and Company Dance Studio.
Mathematics Professor Mark Pelfrey of Decatur was presented his 10-year pin by Trustee Dr. Elaine Foster.
Pelfrey graduated from the Central Michigan University (CMU) Honors Program and added a master’s degree from Western Michigan University. He co-founded SMC’s Honors Program and was instrumental in developing the college’s Math Boot Camp.
Pelfrey serves on Decatur’s school board while his wife, Jessica, is a village trustee. They have two children.
Senior Writer and Media Relations Coordinator John Eby of Dowagiac received his 10-year pin from Trustee Becky Moore.
Eby spent most of his career as Dowagiac Daily News managing editor, covering southwest Michigan and half of SMC’s eight administrations.
Eby graduated from Dowagiac Union High School and CMU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He and his wife, Sue, have two sons and a daughter, and three grandsons.
Library Assistant Keely Williamson of Niles accepted her five-year pin from Trustee Tracy Hertsel.
She earned her associate degree in music from SMC and is enrolled in information technology for her bachelor’s degree through Ferris State University.
Williamson keeps active in music, singing in Chorallenium and playing percussion with St. Joseph Municipal Band.
Assistant Student Activities Center Supervisor Danny Cunningham of Sister Lakes was presented his five-year pin by Trustee Skip Dyes.
Cunningham served 43 years in education as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and 25 years as a building principal.
He graduated from high school in Spencer, Ind., earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Valley College in Marshall and a master’s degree from Indiana University South Bend.
The board acknowledged 13 donations to the SMC Foundation totaling $21,913.80.
–Contributed by John Eby
