SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE

Sou

Jerry N. Porter displays one of the sculptures she has on display at the SMC library. She also has exhibited paintings

while a student here. She plans to become · an art teacher. [Photo by Dan Griffin].

Hobby collection starts from one gift of Mickey Mouse figurine

By Deanna Deming Eight years ago, Daniel Klute's best

friend brought a Mickey Mouse f igurine to him as a souvenir of a visit to Disneyland . That was the beginning of his collection, which has grown to include such items as a gumball machine, stuffed Mickeys, dishes, clothes, a pocketwatch, a cookie jar , Christmas bulbs and even a Mickey Mouse phone .

There are many more pieces, and Dan says the collection has real monetary value , although for him it's a hobby , not an investment. Recently there was an auction in New York that included Mickey Mouse items, and some of them sold for $50 and more.

Dan is an Engl ish major, and as his interest in Mickey Mouse has grown, he has written essays on the subject, and recently entered a contest in a national magazine for which he designed a birthday card . The results of this contest will be announced this month.

Friends have helped D_an add to his collection , br ining him pieces they find on vacation, and ch i ldren of friends have donated their old Mickey Mouse toys .

Sometimes Dan is able to find items at garage sales, and grocery stores have saved their display pieces for him. Dan has begun adding Minnie Mouse pieces to the collection, too .

Dan says there are films to attend, and last year when Mickey celebrated his 50th birthday, Scottsdale Mall held a celebra­tion which included a 300-pound birthday cake and a visit from members of the Mickey Mouse Club.

On Dan's birthday, several of his SMC friends attended a Mickey Mouse party which was hosted by Randy Pease. There were decorations and refreshments with the Mickey Mouse theme. Films were shown and Disney music was provided for dancing .

Dan says , " 1 ' ve never been to Disney­land or Disney World and that is one of my ultimate wishes - to go with plenty of money and be able to spend a couple of weeks there. ' '

SMC originated from informal meetings of a Cass County Citizens' Advisory Committee on the need for education on the county level after high school.

Apr. 4, 1979

Student displays her sculptures at SMC Library

By Deanna Deming Jerry N. Porter's latest accomplishment

in art is her sculpture, "Transition". Ms. Porter says this piece combines a classical look with a decorative quality. Last semester both her sculpture and several paintings appeared in the art show in the O'Leary Building, and Jerry was awarded a blue ribbon for her macramae hanging entitled , "Tempered Wisdom," which she had entered in the 1978 Cass County Fair. She later donated this piece to the new Cass County Library.

While at SMC, several instructors have influenced her work, Jerry says. "Mr. Simpson has given me all kinds of helpful books on sculpture, and Mrs. Biek has given me helpful comments and technical knowledge. By looking at Mrs. Drew's art work, I can see the changes in my own work. For instance, seeing the way she paints her facial expressions has elongated this mask."

Jerry has one more semester to complete at SMC and then will be going to Western Michigan University, where she plans to major in art, with teaching as a career goal.

Grants recognize achievements of two graduates

By Donna Robinson State University Outstanding Commun­

ity College Student Scholarships for the 1979-80 academic year will be awarded to two SMC students nominated by President Russell Owen. The $400 awards are to recognize the high achievement of students in Michigan community colleges.

Candidates must have a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and complete an associate degree at SMC to quajify. The scholarships are not presented according to financial need and, if required, other forms of financial aid are available.

Last year's graduate recipients of these scholarships were Steven Sukta of Dowag­iac and Cathy Stover of Decatur. Both received associate degree in arts.

Page 2 - Sou'wester - April 4, 1979

Wrestling called most demanding sport by coach

By Jully Keys "It takes a special individual to be a

wrestler," Mr. James Judd, instructor of physical education, said .

In his 16 years of coaching high school football, softball, track, basketball and professional football and softball, Mr. Judd says that no sport has been more physically and mentally demanding than wrestling.

·'When a wrestler is on the mat for a number of minutes," Coach Judd said, "he has to use all of his strength against his opponent. He also has to be a fast thinker. There's no turning back and saying, •Maybe I should have done that.' A wrestler has to have brains and he has to be in strong condition," he added.

As for whether or not some wrestlers may have to lose weight to stay in condition, Coach Judd says that it depends on philosophy. "If losing weight hurts the strength of a wrestler," he said, " then that's no good. However, " he added, "so~e wrestlers may want to lose weight to help their strength; it's up to the individual, really."

"Wrestling can be a team sport," Coach Judd said. "The wrestlers do encourage one another before a meet. However, it also can be strictly an individual sport. When a wrestler is out there on the mat, he's all by himself," he added.

According to Coach Judd, the SMC wrestlers have been lucky with transporta­tion so far. "We use two vans to go to our meets," he said . "If we need more room, we use wagons . We may not be the most affluent, but we take care of our kids; we stay in good motels," he added .

"SMC has an open door policy for wrestlers," Coach Judd said . "If you're a student and you want to wrestle, then that is fine with us. It doesn't matter if you're a champion or a beginner . Of course, we do look for guys who can win. As a matter of fact," he added, "we had two guys who never wrestled before they came to SMC and they lettered at a four-year school after leaving SMC.

Publi shed during th e fa ll and spring semesters by So uthwestern Michigan College . Ch erry Grove Rd . . Dowagiac. Mich . 49047

STAFF

Deanna Deming Shelly Palin Dan Griffin Donna Robinson Jully Keys Gary Schaffer Karen Motter Wanita Smith

Jack Sinclair, Adviser

Outdoor track season at SMC started even before all traces of snow disappeared. Warmly-clad runners take to the roads and

trails in one of their regular workouts. [Photo by Shelly Palin].

Army veteran finishes high school, now is studying to become CPA

By Deanna Deming After several years away from high

school, John R. Thomson decided the time had come to see if he could "begin" again.

John had quit high school shortly before graduating, and at the age of 18 he joined the Army. After his discharge, John held a number of jobs , some of them more satisfying than others, but none of them were what he really wanted . He worked as a property records clerk, a certified small engine repairman, a Ii ne foreman and superintendent at a trailer factory. He was once denied advancement in a job because he lacked his high school diploma.

Finally, in 1975, John decided to talk to Mr. James Culver , the Edwardsburg High School coordinator . Mr. Culver convinced John that he could attain his diploma by attending night classes . John finished his required courses and graduated in 1978. Then, with the encouragement of Mr. Culver , John conferred with Dean Wesley Muth, Dean 0 . L. Vecillio and Mr. Robert Campbell at SMC. John says, "I was convinced that SMC had an excellent accounting program. "

This is John 's first year at SMC and he is very sure of his goal. " Five years from now I would like to see a CPA 's license hanging on my wall. My goal is to become a CPA no matter how long it takes," he said.

John and his wife, Beverly , have two children at home, Phillip , 9, and Amanda, 3. John feels an education is an infinite asset to al I people, and says, " I don ' t want to see my children go through a rough life as I have done. I would like to see them complete high school and go on to college. ''

After a lapse of several years, John Thomson graduated from high school and now is attending SMC. His goal is to become a certified public accountant. [Photo by Shelly Palin].

Latin instruments added to SMC music equipment

By Jully Keys

The music area at SMC has added Latin musical instruments to its brass, woodwind and percussion group.

"A lot of money was spent for the music area," Mr. David Purcell, SMC music director, said.

"After the college bought a bass trombone, baritone saxophone (imported from Paris), tuba and tenor saxophone," Mr. Purcell said, "the music area had about $620 left to purchase Latin musical instruments.''

The instruments include a set of mara­cas, cabasa, vibra slap, jingle bells, concert castanets, three triangles with holders, cowbell with holder, wood block, concert hand cymbals, snare drum, orches­tra bells with stand and mallets to play bells. A trap case also was bought to store the instruments in.

The woodwind players will be able to use the Latin musical instruments in a song called "MacArthur Park," according to Mr. Purcell.

" It's just a matter of keeping a beat. With one motion from these instruments, you might get two sounds. The caracas, for instance, can produce a nice sound with one motion with the wrist. The instruments give depth to the rhythm section; they add the kind of variety you wouldn't normally have, " Mr. Purcell said.

MSU offers $450 scholarship to engineering grad

By Jully Keys

"Michigan State University is offering a $450 scholarship to an SMC engineering graduate who will be enrolling in an engineering program at SMC," Dr. R. "M" Owen, SMC president, said.

The SMC program coordinator of the engineering scholarship is Dr. William Haidler.

Last year, the SMC President's Award was presented to David Rector, a May, 1978, graduate. He is currently enrolled at the Michigan State University College of Engineering.

On April 7, the College of Engineering at Michigan State University will have an open house. Persons will be able to explore career opportunities in engineering and observe research activities.

A tennis singles tournament will be held in late April and early May for anyone interested.

Sou'wester - April 4, 1979 - Page 3

These are just a few of a large number of paintings, prints and pottery pieces done by SMC art instructors which are on

Commons crowd entertained by two musicians

By Deanna Deming

Gregory Kan iuga and Clark Cobb, who cal I themselves ·'Traces,'' provided music for those gathered in the Commons March 16 .

Greg and Clark have been a duo for about two months now, and play regularly in Dowag iac at the Cottage Restaurant. They both play with another area group, too , which is called " Hyper, " and p1imar­ily is a rock and roll band , while "Traces" blends both rock and roll , and country music .

Greg does all the lead guitar work, and sings back-up vocals and harmonies, while Clark does the lead singing and the rhythms.

They are both interested in pursuing music as a career . Clark , who has an associate degree in arts from SMC, is attending Andrews University, where he studies classical guitar. He hopes to earn a bachelor's degree in music education . They both enjoy playing at SMC, and are available for other engagements. "We would really like to thank Dean Vecellio for the opportunity he has given us to play here, " Greg says.

display in the O'Leary Building. [Photo by Donna Robinson].

Spring musical, 'Charlie Brown,' ready for stage

By Donna Robinson

Rehearsals for SMC's spring musical are moving along toward show dates of April 5, 6 and 7 when "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" will be presented.

Musical Director David Purcell and the orchestra strike off the opening with the song, "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," and continue entertainment dur­ing the production. In act one, Charlie Brown gets his peanut butter sandwich stuck to the roof of his mouth, Linus sings to his blanket and Lucy thinks it's undemo­cratic . Then it's on to more laughter as Charlie Brown succeeds in wrecking a kite, and admitting his bad points, or in other words, not finding his good points .

To start off act two, Snoopy fights the Red Baron and goes hunting for rabbits with Patty. Scenes change and SctJ.roeder confronts Lucy by telling her she's a crabby person, which causes Linus a slug in the face. Then it's "Home on the Range" where always is heard "Give me my pencil, you blockhead!''

The play is being directed by Ms. Tonda Bian, drama instructor.

Page 4 - Sou'wester - April 4, 1979

Foreign students face difficulties in studying • 1n U.S. By Dan Griffin

If you can imagine moving to another country and leaving behind your friends, customs and language, then you are just beginning to realize the multitude of difficulties that foreign students at SMC face.

SMC started accepting foreign students in the early 1970's when American Field Service and Youth tor Understanding high school exchange students first started showing an interest in SMC. Since then, SMC has hosted a number of foreign students.

During the 1978-79 academic year, SMC has hosted 15 foreign students from such countries as Germany, Iceland, Iran and Saudi Arabia, according to Mr. David Schultz, vice president for student serv­ices.

Before attending any college in the United States, a foreign student has to qualify for entrance to the U.S . as well as entrance to a college. For entrance to the U.S., a student must first pass the "test of English for a foreign language." After the TOEFL is passed, an 1-20 government form requesting admittance to the U .S. must be turned in by the student to the American consulate in his country. Along with the 1-20 form , the student must submit proof of

funds tor his support while staying in the U.S.

After the student has pqssed the TOEFL test and completed the proper government forms, he is allowed to come to the U.S. after the American consul in his country has given him the O.K. Once he has reached the U.S., the student is issued an F-1 student visa. The visa must be kept current during the student's entire stay in the U.S.

It is after getting to America that the challenge of being a stranger in a strange land begins. Before entering a school in Michigan, most foreign students are given another English proficiency test. The "Michigan Test," written at the University of Michigan, is the statewide English proficiency test . After taking the Michigan test, the student applies for admittance to the college of his choice.

When asked what the major problem of adjusting to an American school was, Mahmood Jafari , an Iranian student at­tending SMC for his second year, said translating English quickly was a big problem . Even with a working understand­ing of the English language, translating and keeping up with an instructor's lecture is hard. Although most of the SMC instructors are understanding on the communication problem, there are a few

who don't even seem to notice that a problem exists, according to Jafari.

During the recent turmoil in Iran, many Iranian students stopped receiving any mail from home while the post offices in Iran were closed . Dean 0. L. Vecillio was a great help to the Iranian students who temporarily quit getting money from home, said Jafari.

According to the Iran Times, Iranians with dependents in foreign schools may now send a maximum of $1,000 a month out of the country to send their children to school .

Despite the hardships of moving to a new land, America is still a popular place for foreign students. Many of the students who left Iran during the Shah's regime were attracted by the ''Freedom of choice in America," according to Jafari. Now that the Shah has toppled, many Iranian students are considering returning to their homeland .

Presently the University of Michigan has more foreign students attending its camp­us than SMC has total enrollment. During the 1977-78 academic year, foreign student enrollment on U.S. campuses was more than a quarter of a million students, according to the Institute of International Education .

39 athletes receive awards at winter sports banquet By Karen Motter

Thirty-nine SMC athletes received aw­ards at the annual winter sports banquet March 19 at Niles. Members of the men's and women's basketball teams and wrest­ling team , along with the SMC cheerlead­ers were honored .

Mr. James Tansey, men ' s basketball coach, presented a two-year award to

Rusty Greiner and one-year awards to Tom Brady, Jim Case, Keith Ferguson , Lee Frank, Terry Hosbien, Werner Maak, Gary Schaffer, Jay Skibbe, Randy Small and Joe White .

Miss Diane Morea, women ' s basketball coach, presented two-year awards to Karen Lukeman and Cindy Miller. One-year awards went to Debbie Daschke, Jane

Coach Gunn and staff will teach beginning course for joggers

By Jully Keys

" If this is the spring you intend to join the masses of people out running for health and physical fitness," Mrs. Gloria Cooper , director of public information , said, "learn from the 'feet of the master', SMC's national champion Roadrunner coach, Mr. Ron Gunn."

Dean Gunn and his staff will be teaching a "You Can Do It " class in beginning jogging. The class will begin on April 2 and continue for 14 weeks . No previous experience in jogging is required; inter­ested persons will have to fill out an application form which will be available at the admissions office. Students also may choose to take the jogging class for credit

or it may be audited . "The jogging activities, which will be on

Mondays from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., will be voluntary, with students progressing at their own rate," Mrs. Cooper said . The primary goals of the course are: Total mental and physical fitness, lower blood pressure, loss of weight, firming up, reduction of cardio vascular risk and increasing your energy and productivity , she added.

"The instructors will carefully and slowly teach individuals the fine art and science of jogging ," Mrs . Cooper said. "Members of the class will be using SMC's all weather track, conditioning room and cross-country trails," she added .

Klein, Barb Kowalski, Karen Motter, Peggy Myers , Joyce Peterson, Lisa Pollan­der and Diane Saltzgaber.

Coach James Judd presented two-year wrestling awards to Andy Bachtel , Terry Holm , Dale Killarney and Kelly Low. Receiving one-year awards were Jeff Biller, Davi.cl Brent, Greg George, Paul Getz, Esaw Harris, Dave Lee and Darrell Thornton.

Mrs. Thelma Smith presented two-year cheerleading awards to Shelly Davis, Lea Ann England, Kathy Schaner and Maryann VanLierop. One-year awards went to Dina Hollister, Beth Phelps and Karen Strong .

Among speakers at the banquet were Dr. Fred L. Mathews, chairman of the SMC Board of Trustees; Dr. Russell Owen, SMC president, and Mr. Ron Gunn , dean of sports education . Dr. W. E. Spencer, v ice president tor instruction, was master of ceremonies.

Speaking on behalf of the athletic teams were Rusty Greiner from men's basketball, Karen Lukeman from women's basketball, Terry Holm from wrestling and Maryann VanLierop from the cheerleading squad.

A slowpitch softball league will be formed, with games scheduled tor April and May.

Enrollment at SMC has increased by 444 per cent since its opening in 1966.