News Release

Greater Regional Health (GRH) recently committed to a gift of $50,000 for the purpose of establishing an endowment through Southwestern Community College’s Education Foundation in memory of longtime college administrator and men’s basketball coach William “Bill” Taylor, who passed away in 2019.

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met electronically on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, at 5:30 p.m., for their regular monthly board meeting.

Creston, IA—Tom Lesan, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) vice president of economic development, was honored at the college’s all-staff in-service, held on Friday, Jan. 7, 2021, in the college’s Instructional Center, for achieving a milestone 40 years of service to the college.

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) students Marshall Eddleman and Wyatt Vasey, both of Winterset, placed fourth in the hands-on portion of the 2021 DMACC/IADA High School Automotive Skills Contest on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. This competition recognizes some of the best high school auto technicians in the state.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees held their regular board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the Administration Center board room.

Dr. Tony Cass of Creston, board president, told the board Carmalee Woods, board secretary, had noted recently re-elected board members Kevin Britten of Red Oak, Jane Ernst of Greenfield, Jerry Smith of Osceola, and Zach Gunsolley of Diagonal have all completed their Oath of Office affidavits as prescribed by law.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Chamber Singers will be touring in the Des Moines area the week of November 29-December 3, presenting “Sure On This Shining Night” with carols and masterworks by Lauridsen, Mattson, Poulenc, Take 6, Weir, and Whitacre. The public is invited to attend.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) carpentry and building trades program is donating six finished doghouses to Creston’s animal rescue organizations Dog Gone Rescue, Inc. and Creston Animal Rescue.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees held their regular board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.

Tia Samo, SWCC chief financial officer, spoke about a resolution regarding the refunding of two outstanding Dorm Revenue Bonds belonging to the college. Samo said according to projections received from the college’s financial advisor, Speer Financial, the refinancing of the bonds at lower interest rates could generate a savings of approximately $650,000.

Tisha Gannon of Osceola has been named coordinator of Southwestern Community College’s Osceola Center. She replaces Sue Stearns of Woodburn, who has been the coordinator at the Osceola Center since 2013.

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the Administration Center.

The board approved consent agenda items, including the tentative agenda, payables, and depository resolution.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Red Oak Center is hosting a Nursing Program Open House, on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 4-7 p.m., to feature the college’s nursing program and highlight Red Oak’s registered nursing offerings. Future SWCC students and the general public are invited to attend.

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met electronically in special session on Tuesday, Sept. 28., at 8 a.m.

During the meeting, the board approved the employment of Marc Elcock for the position of criminal justice instructor for the 2021-22 academic year. Elcock will replace Travis Hamilton, who is leaving Southwestern for other employment.

Creston—The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the board room of the college’s Administration Center.

In personnel, the board accepted the resignation of Travis Hamilton, criminal justice instructor. Hamilton asked to be released prior to the end of his current contract. The board approved Hamilton’s resignation based on a mutually agreed upon date, provided college administration is able to secure a suitable replacement for the position.

The Iowa Association for College Admissions Counseling (IACAC) and Southwestern Community College (SWCC) are hosting a college fair on Wed., September 22, from 1:30–3 p.m., at the Creston Community High School Gymnasium, 601 West Townline Street, in Creston.

CRESTON — The TRIO Talent Search (TS) program at Southwestern Community College is hosting an ACT Boot Camp on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in the college’s Instructional Center, room 220, to assist high school students in preparation for the ACT Test.

CRESTON—Southwestern Community College (SWCC) recently received word from the United States Department of Education that funding has been renewed for the college’s TRIO Talent Search (TS) program. The $2.1 million grant will be funded at $438,253 per year for five years. This is an increase of $300,000 from the previous grant, which was a total of $1.8 million over five years.

CRESTON — Representatives from Southwestern Community College (SWCC) were on-hand Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at Osceola Food, a local manufacturing facility owned by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL), to sign five Osceola Food employees for SWCC’s industrial technology program and one Osceola Food employee for SWCC’s electrical technology program in Creston.

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., for their regular board meeting.

In personnel, the board moved to extend the contracts of Lindsay Stoaks, vice president of instruction, and John Franklin, assistant vice president of instruction, through June 30, 2022, with salary increases of 3.25 percent.

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the Agricultural Sciences Center.

Following a report by Tia Samo, SWCC chief financial officer, the board approved a $5 per credit hour tuition increase for the 2021-22 academic year. With this increase, SWCC’s in-state tuition and fees will be $202 per credit hour and out-of-state tuition and fees will be $209 per credit hour. Proposed changes to the course fees for the following classes were approved as well: ADN 561 medical surgical nursing II; PNN 172 fundamentals of nursing; MUA 101 applied voice; and MUA 201 applied voice II.

After a one-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southwestern Community College athletic department is hosting its 21st Annual 4-Person Best Shot Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 15, at Crestmoor Golf Club, 1801 W. Townline St., in Creston. Tee times will be 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.