College News

Published October 16, 2014 10:59 am

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., in the Administration Center on the Creston campus.

During the meeting, Ken Rech of Red Oak was re-elected as president of the college’s board.  Rech has been president of the board since 2008.  Dennis Davis of Greenfield was re-elected as the board’s vice president.  SWCC Assistant to the President Mary Jo Skarda was re-appointed as board secretary, SWCC Chief Financial Officer Randy Cook was appointed as board treasurer, and Jerry Smith, board member from Osceola, was re-appointed as SWCC’s Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) representative.

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Published October 8, 2014 4:27 pm

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of trustees met in special session on Tues., October 7, at 8:30 a.m. in the president’s office of the Administration Center. 

During the meeting, the board voted to terminate the college’s auditor contract with Draper, Snodgrass, Mikkelsen & Co., P.C.  Prior to the vote, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, explained to the board that Randy Cook, who was recently named SWCC’s chief financial officer, has an ownership interest in Draper, Snodgrass, Mikkelsen & Co., P.C.  Crittenden stated in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest, due to the hiring of Cook, the contract with Draper, Snodgrass, Mikkelsen, & Co would need to be terminated.    

The SWCC board then reviewed bids from four firms for the college’s audit services.  The board approved the lowest bid, from Denman & Company, LLP, of West Des Moines.  Bids from Denman & Company were $36,900 for year ending June 30, 2014, $37,400 for year ending June 30, 2015, and $37,900 for year ending June 30, 2016.

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Published October 6, 2014 9:47 am

The 2014 SmartStart Kickoff for high school students is this Wednesday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the SWCC Creston campus. 

This event is a great way for high school students to check out SWCC and its campus!  Students will be able to sit in on college classes, visit program areas, talk with instructors and students, and tour the residence halls.  High school students in attendance will receive lunch, a SWCC T-shirt, and have the opportunity to win door prizes.  The college will be awarding two-$250 SWCC scholarships for senior attendees.

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Published October 3, 2014 1:13 pm

The Fraternal Order of Eagles #1398 of Creston presented a check to the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation, thanks to a donation from the Don Mullin Family Memorial, to award scholarships to four SWCC students. 

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Published October 1, 2014 3:37 pm

An innovative plan developed by Iowa’s community colleges to train thousands of workers in high-demand fields is being recognized with a $15 million grant announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

A consortium, consisting of all 15 Iowa community colleges, jointly applied for funding to build training capacity in the areas of information technology, healthcare, utilities, and manufacturing – also known as the IHUM Network.  Grant funds will be used statewide to create more than 45 additional training certificates in the IHUM targeted areas.

Southwestern Community College’s (SWCC) portion of the grant, $1 million, will be used to assist in the implementation of a high-tech simulation lab on-campus for the college’s esteemed nursing programs—licensed practical nursing and registered nursing—as well as SWCC’s health-related continuing education programs.

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Published September 26, 2014 11:28 am

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) marketing department received two Medallion Awards at the District 5 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) Conference, held in Des Moines, from September 21-23.

The SWCC team won a Gold Medallion Award in the "Viewbook" category and a Bronze Medallion Award in the “Radio Advertisement/PSA Single” category.  

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Published September 26, 2014 10:25 am

Terry Wangberg, early childhood program director at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) in Creston, has been named the 2014 Iowa Children’s Champion.  The award is given by the Region VII Head Start Association.

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Published September 26, 2014 9:50 am

Charlie Mundy, SWCC high school carpentry and building trades instructor in Osceola, was the recipient of the 2014 Iowa Masonic Teacher of the Year Award at the 170th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Iowa at Cedar Rapids on Sept. 18, 2014.

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Published September 25, 2014 9:04 am

To celebrate 2014 National Manufacturing Day, on Thurs., October 2, iManufacture will be held in the SWCC Student Center, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

SWCC students, area high school students, and community members are invited to attend an open house that will connect them to manufacturing in interactive ways through hands-on demonstrations. Participants will also be able to explore advanced manufacturing through interactive applications on an iPad Air!

This event is being hosted by SWCC's Workplace Learning Network. Questions may be directed to Valerie White, Workplace Learning Network coordinator.

Published September 19, 2014 11:51 am

CRESTON—Southwestern Community College (SWCC) will sponsor the 2014 SmartStart Kickoff for high school students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, on the SWCC Creston campus.  

The event—an open house for students—will be a great chance for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to check out SWCC and its campus!  Students will be able to sit in on college classes, visit program areas, talk with instructors and students, and tour the residence halls.  High school students in attendance will receive lunch, a SWCC T-shirt, and have the opportunity to win door prizes.  The college will be awarding two-$250 SWCC scholarships for senior attendees.

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