College News

Published November 8, 2012 10:31 am

A special meeting of the Southwestern Community College board of trustees was held electronically on Wed., November 7, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in the Administration Center on the college’s Creston campus.  

During the meeting, the board accepted an offer for the purchase of the college’s student-constructed home at 1305 N. Mulberry Street in Creston.  The home was constructed by SWCC’s carpentry and building trades program during the 2010-11 school year.  The bid of $200,000 was submitted by Gary and Sandra Krauth.

Published November 8, 2012 8:17 am

Don't wait to get involved. There are two more days to be a part of the SWCC Week fun and festivities. Check out what is scheduled for today, and plan to join in the fun!

Thursday, November 8

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Veteran’s Day Lunch, Spartan Café, Student Center

Student veterans, as well as faculty and staff who have served in the military, are invited to attend a Veteran’s Day lunch sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa.  Veterans should check in at the east side of the Student Center in the reserved seating area.  Please RSVP to Matt Thompson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  RSVPs are not required. 

6 p.m., Out on the Farm/Ag Olympics, Ag Site

Out on the Farm will be full of fun and crazy activities at SWCC’s ag site.  Come by yourself or come with a group, but be ready for a good time.  Contests will include a hay bale toss, greased pumpkin contest, tug of war, pennies in the straw, and calf bottle chugging.

Following the games, Cookout, Ag Site

Stick around after the games and contest for a good ‘ole fashioned cookout!

Entire SWCC Week Schedule

Published November 6, 2012 5:08 pm

SWCC Week Day 3 includes a Scavenger Hunt, men's and women's home basketball games, the debut of the 2012-13 Spartan Drill Team (during half-time of the women's and men's basketball games), and don't forget to donate to the Phi Theta Kappa Food Drive.  And remember to head to the Creston Pizza Ranch for dinner, because the SWCC Art Club will be hosting a Pizza Ranch Tip Night.

Wednesday, November 7

Noon, Creston-Wide Scavenger Hunt, Student Center

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 Ambassadors are the sponsors 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!

5:30 p.m., Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Student Center Gymnasium

Sparty wears blue, why don't YOU?  Dress in blue and paint your face for tonight's games.  Get in free with a donation of canned good items.  Canned goods and gate admissions from the game will be donated to a local food pantry.  Spartan Drill Team performs at half-times of women's and men's games.

Entire SWCC Week Schedule

Published November 5, 2012 8:47 am

Get involved!  SWCC Week starts today.  Reminder, please sign your team up by noon if you are participating in the dodge ball tourney tonight.  To register for dodge ball, contact Tracey Evans.  There's still time to register for Tuesday night's SWCC's Got Talent as well.  To register for SWCC's Got Talent, please contact Lisa Carstens.  Keep in mind the Phi Theta Kappa Food Drive takes place all week!  If you haven't already donated, you may bring your donation to Wednesday night's basketball games.

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Published October 26, 2012 11:28 am

The college’s second annual SWCC Week will be held November 5-9, 2012!  Fun events are being planned for SWCC students throughout that week.  Some of the events will include a dodge ball tournament, Creston-wide scavenger hunt, and turkey bowling.  See the complete agenda below to plan your week of fun!

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Published October 26, 2012 11:24 am

A special meeting of the Southwestern Community College board of trustees was held Fri., October 26, 2012, at 8 a.m. in the Administration Center on the college’s Creston campus.  During the meeting, the board held a public hearing for phase one of the Instructional Center improvement construction project.

The board of trustees reviewed bids from three contractors.  Ken Rech, SWCC board of trustees president from Red Oak, called for any oral or written objections or petitions.  No oral or written objections or petitions were heard or submitted.  The board approved the bid of $388,300 from Proctor Mechanical Corporation of West Des Moines.

Phase one of the Instructional Center project includes installation of a new boiler and sprinkler system.  Work on the project will begin this fall.

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Published October 24, 2012 11:45 am

The SWCC Bookstore has announced their Holiday Open House will be Tues., November 6, from 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Get a jump on your holiday shopping by stopping in.  There will be plenty of gift ideas and holiday decor.  Be sure to sign up for the door prizes while you're there. 

Get started on your holiday shopping early with a trip to the SWCC Bookstore!

Published October 17, 2012 2:46 pm

CRESTON, IA—Beth Kulow, area regional manager for the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiative has announced more than 170 teachers and community leaders will be participating in Scale-Up programs for the STEM initiative. Statewide, more than 800 schools and community organizations will have the opportunity to experience STEM programming and activities.

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Published October 15, 2012 4:48 pm

Southwestern Community College's art & design department recently received notification they were the recipient of a grant from the Iowa Arts Council.  The grant funds were used to purchase a kiosk, which will be utilized as a virtual art gallery for the art & design department.  The kiosk in position (shown in photo at right) is located in the main entry of the Instructional Center.  Two additional kiosks will be located in the SWCC Student Center and in uptown Creston, possibly at the restored depot. 

Once the kiosks are fully functional, the kiosks will provide details about current art venues and events in and around the area; information regarding SWCC's art & design programs; biographical sketches of local artists and their work; display exhibit work of SWCC students, local artists, and other students in the college's region; and much more.  The kiosks feature a large monitor to display artwork, as well as a touch screen viewers will use to browse through the galleries.

Published October 11, 2012 4:36 pm

Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met Tuesday, October 10, 2012, 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. 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 and SWCC Chief Financial Officer Teresa Krejci was re-appointed as board treasurer.

The board re-appointed members to the Education Foundation board for the 2012-13 year. Education Foundation board members re-appointed include Patti Bricker of Greenfield, Randy Huewe of Creston, Karl Knock of Creston, Rick Oshel of Osceola, Allen Pohren of Red Oak, Jerry Smith of Osceola, Alec Turner of Corning, Larry Giles of Mt. Ayr, Amy Hook of Creston, Connie Purdum of Creston, and Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC representative.

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