College News

Published November 21, 2011 10:40 am

If you have ever thought about teaching K-12 math or science, consider registering for "Exploring Math & Science Teaching" during the Spring 2012 semester. The class begins on January 31, 2012, and meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. During the course, you will hear from outstanding teachers each week and will get the opportunity to observe and teach in a classroom.

The best part ... if you successfully complete the course, your tuition for the class is reimbursed, completion of the course makes you eligible for scholarships at state universities, AND you will be eligible for paid internships.

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Published November 16, 2011 3:21 pm

CRESTON —The fall 2011 semester brought additional course options for Southwestern Community College students who are interested in fields such as law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, security, private investigation, etc.  The college now has an associate of arts transfer plan for criminal justice majors.

With this criminal justice degree plan in place, SWCC is offering the following new courses:  introduction to criminal justice, criminal law, criminology, constitutional law, introduction to computer forensics, and juvenile delinquency.  In addition, the college has sociology and psychology courses in place that will complement the student’s academic plan.  The criminal justice courses will be offered on the Creston campus, as well as the Osceola Center.

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Published November 9, 2011 5:24 pm

Creston— The Southwestern Community College board of trustees met on Tues., November 8, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Administration Center.

A public hearing was held for renewal of a tower land lease with Electronic Engineering. The tower is located on SWCC’s Creston campus. The current land lease expired spring 2011. No written or oral objections or petitions were heard or submitted. The board voted to approve the new lease as presented. The land lease will run June 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, and is for $500 per month.

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Published November 4, 2011 9:39 am

Get ready for a week of fun!  The agenda is complete and there is a ton planned for the college’s first-ever SWCC Week, November 7-11, 2011. Some activities do require pre-registration, so if you are interested in any of the following activities start planning now:

• Game Night, Monday, 8:30 p.m. – Come play and compete in Call of Duty at Game Night for SWCC students. Sign up with Admissions in the Administration Center. Deadline for entry is Friday, November 4 by 4 p.m. Rules and other information can be found on the events page on Facebook.

• President’s Chili Cook-off, Wednesday, 11 a.m. – If you’re interested in showing off your chili making skills, please contact Matt Thompson at 641.782.1413 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register.

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Published October 29, 2011 8:20 pm

October 30, 2011--We, at Southwestern Community College, are trying to come to grips with the sudden and unexpected loss of Southwestern Community College student-athlete Chrystal Olerich (pictured at right).  Olerich, a freshman at Southwestern, and two other SWCC students—Samantha Weed and Kaley Folkerts—were involved in a one-vehicle accident early Saturday morning just outside of Hopkins, MO.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Chrystal’s family during this extremely difficult time.  Chrystal, who wore number nine for the Spartan volleyball team, had a passion for volleyball that runs deep from her family roots.  She had played the sport since she was a little girl.  Coaches say she was a great teammate, did her best every day, and always accepted the assignments she was given on the court.  She will be remembered by her teammates for her outgoing and friendly personality and her dedication to their sport.

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Published October 28, 2011 8:16 am

The SWCC Art Club is sponsoring a canned food drive on campus from October 27-November 7, 2011. The donated goods will be given to local food pantries in time for the holidays.

Cans may be dropped off in boxes located outside the main door of the SWCC LRC and the main hallway of the Instructional Center. During SWCC Week, which is scheduled for November 7-11, the Art Club will make an art sculpture out of the donated cans in the Student Center.

Published October 27, 2011 2:36 pm

Approximately 600 people were on campus Sunday, October 23, 2011, for Simon Estes in Concert.  In addition to Estes, the SWCC Concert Choir, Creston High School choir, and East Union High School choir performed; as well as Mike Giles, saxophonist and formerly of Creston, Leah McIntire-Barnett, soprano and daughter-in-law of SWCC’s own Dale Barnett.  The concert finale featured all artists on stage singing a rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic.

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Published October 20, 2011 10:45 am

The college’s first annual SWCC Week will be held November 7-11, 2011!  Fun events are being planned for SWCC students throughout that week.  Some of the events will include a dodge ball tournament, a brain bowl, Creston-wide scavenger hunt, and construction of a canned goods sculpture.  See the complete agenda below to plan your week of fun!

SWCC Week Agenda

Monday, November 7

8:15-8:30 a.m.                    SWCC Greet                                                       Outside on campus

Faculty and staff welcome students to campus.  Get your agenda for the week.

Noon                                     Brain Bowl                                                          Student Center

Teams of three will challenge their knowledge during the SWCC Brain Bowl.  Students, faculty, and staff may participate.  Get your team together now or come that day and be teamed up with other individuals.  See Tracey Evans (office in the Student Center), at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 641.782.1437, to register.  Emcee will be Wade Sick, math instructor.

7 p.m.                                   Dodgeball                                                           SWCC Gym

Co-ed teams of up to 10 individuals (must have at least three females and only six on court at one time) will compete in a dodge ball tournament.  Plan your team ahead of time or come and be placed on a team at the event.  Top three teams will receive awards and bragging rights for the rest of the year.  Register with student activities (Tracey Evan’s office in Student Center) or in the Spartan Suites office.  Please have teams there by 6:30 p.m. to go over rules.

8:30 p.m.                             Game Night                                                       Student Center

Come play and compete in Call of Duty at Game Night for SWCC Students.  The SWCC Student Ambassadors are the sponsor for this event. Sign up with Admissions in the Administration Center. Deadline for entry is Friday, November 4 by 4 p.m. Rules and other information can be found on the event's page on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 8

8:45-9 a.m.                          SWCC Greet                                                       Outside on campus

Faculty and staff welcome students to campus.  Get your agenda for the week.

Noon                                     Creston-Wide Scavenger Hunt                  Around town

Teams of three to five students will participate in a Scavenger Hunt across the city of Creston.  Meet at the Student Center at 11:45 a.m. for sign-in, rules, and instructions. Teams must complete the hunt and be back to the Student Center in a designated amount of time.  Student Senate is the sponsor for this event. Details for this event will be available online during the next week. Sign up your team online today. Pizza will be available upon return to all participants while team scores are tabulated. Door prizes will be given away in addition to prizes for the winning team!

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Published October 19, 2011 8:32 am

Tonight’s volleyball game will be a PINK OUT for breast cancer awareness.  Wear a pink shirt or be one of the first 130 spectators to get a FREE shirt at the door.  The game starts at 6:30 p.m. when the Spartans will take on Southeast NE.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

Thanks to the student housing office for organization of tonight’s Pink Out event!

Published October 14, 2011 2:48 pm

Phi Theta Kappa is organizing a winter clothing drive.  Donation boxes will be available on campus from Monday, October 17, through Friday, October 28, in the Student Center and the Instructional Center (LRC).

Please make sure all items are clean and usable for winter.  Coats, mittens, jeans, slacks, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and sweatshirts are suggested items.

Be sure to check pockets for items before donating.  All sizes from children to adults, female and male, will be accepted!