College News

Published January 15, 2014 4:58 pm

Creston— The Southwestern Community College board of trustees met on Tues., January 14, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Administration Center.

The board tentatively approved the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of total cost for paving, walks, and site amenities; landscaping; slabs and stair pan fill; gypcrete; masonry; finish carpentry; insulation; EIFS; siding, soffits, fascia, gutters, and downspouts; roofing; aluminum entrances and storefront; gypsum board; acoustical ceilings; flooring; painting; fire sprinkler; mechanical; and electrical for the dormitory project subject to final approval following public hearings which were set for February 11, 2014, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the board room at Southwestern Community College.

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Published January 15, 2014 9:27 am

OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 7, 2014) — To help ensure a sufficient blood supply this winter season, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) is hosting an American Red Cross We Challenge U Blood Drive on its Creston campus on Feb. 5, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., in room 180 of the Instructional Center. During this special blood drive, all presenting donors will receive a commemorative We Challenge U T-shirt, while supplies last.

“An hour of your time could help save up to three lives,” said Caitlyn Lesan, SWCC admissions coordinator. “I challenge students, staff, and supporters to roll up a sleeve and give blood at our upcoming drive. Donating blood is an easy way to volunteer, and it helps patients in need.” 

To make an appointment to donate or for more information, call Deb Peterson at 641.782.1421 or visit redcrossblood.org.

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Published January 6, 2014 9:56 am

Spring 2014 semester begins January 13!  If you haven't already registered for classes, call the admissions department at 641.782.1421 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get signed up.

Online classes begin on January 21.  If you are interested in learning more about online classes, please visit the Distance Education/Online pages or contact Doug Greene, director of distance education.

The spring 2014 class schedule is available on the Class Schedules page on the website.  Take a look at the class schedule prior to your appointment to get an idea of the classes you'd like to take.

Published December 16, 2013 8:24 am

Approximately 15 high school students and their instructors were on campus Wed., December 11, 2013, for the first-ever Advanced Technical and Industrial Exploration Day, hosted by Bill Huntington, career and technical education recruiter. 

Students who attended were nominated by their high school instructors. There was a limit of two students per high school.

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Published December 11, 2013 11:21 am

The Southwestern Community College Chamber Singers will be presenting Holiday Carols in Concert on Sun., December 15, at 7:30 p.m., in the SWCC Performing Arts Center theater.

The concert will feature favorite carols and masterworks by Poulenc, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Christiansen, Durufle, Shaw, and Mattson.  Ryan Howe, SWCC professional music instructor, will be the conductor for the event.

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Published December 4, 2013 5:28 pm

CRESTON — The TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) program at Southwestern Community College is offering free ACT Test prep courses for all ETS high school participants the morning of Sat., January 11, 2014.    

Two options are available for students who choose to attend:  
Option 1 – 8 a.m. to noon.  Students who choose Option 1 will be participating in a mock exam consisting of the same conditions as the official ACT exam.  
Option 2 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Students who choose Option 2 will attend three break-out sessions (math, English/reading, and science).  

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Published December 4, 2013 4:41 pm

Special meetings of the Southwestern Community College board of trustees were held on November 26, 2013, and December 3, 2013, to discuss and approve plans related to the construction of a new residence hall on campus. Due to time constraints of board members, the meetings were held electronically.

The first item on the agenda at the November 26 meeting was consideration of earthwork and major utilities for the residence hall construction project. Two bids were received. Following discussion, the board approved the lowest bid of $721,680 from Seamus Excavating.

Next on the agenda was consideration of footings and foundations for the residence hall project. The board approved the lowest bid of $143,400 from Jensen Builders.

At the December 3 board meeting, the board held public hearings for topping slabs, precast hollow core plank, masonry, miscellaneous metals, wood framing, joists, trusses, sheathing, building wrap, and windows, as well as for the elevator project, for the new residence hall construction project. No oral or written objections were heard or submitted for either project.

Following the public hearings, the board approved the lowest bid of $587,000, from Lansink Construction, for the construction for topping slabs, precast hollow core plank, masonry, miscellaneous metals, wood framing, joists, trusses, sheathing, building wrap, and windows.

O’Keefe Elevator was approved for the elevator project. O’Keefe had the lowest bid, at $69,500, of two submitted bids.

Published December 2, 2013 12:00 pm

 CRESTON, IOWA (December 2, 2013) – The Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council’s Southwest Regional Hub housed at Southwestern Community College in Creston has announced the placement of the region’s new STEM manager, Deb Frazee.

Frazee comes to the STEM Advisory Council after years of valuable work in education and economic development, including 13 years with Iowa Western Community College as a job training specialist, five years with the Iowa Department of Education as a rehabilitation counselor and a wealth of further experience in the private sector.

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Published November 25, 2013 11:24 am

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Chamber Singers will be touring in the Des Moines area the week of December 2, 2013, presenting “Holiday Carols in Concert."

The SWCC Chamber Choir features the amazing voices of students from across the country who have come to SWCC in Creston to attend the college’s School for Music Vocations.  The concerts will feature favorite carols and masterworks by Poulenc, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Christiansen, Durufle, Shaw, and Mattson.

Concert dates and locations follow:

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Published November 21, 2013 9:31 am

Students from the Osceola High School and Creston college carpentry and building trades classes braved the wind, cold, and rain yesterday, November 20, to help neighbors in Osceola with a ramp project on their house. 

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