College News

Published March 13, 2012 11:47 am

Southwestern Community College's annual iHire Employment Fair is scheduled for Wed., April 4, 2012, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., in the Student Center gymnasium on SWCC’s Creston campus.  More than 40 employers are expected, representing business and industry, education, and the military.

During the employment fair, individuals will have opportunities for one-on-one contact with human resources professionals, on-site interviews, career exploration, and possible employment offers.  The services of a sign language interpreter will be available at the fair courtesy of Vocational Rehabilitation.

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Published March 9, 2012 5:19 pm

The Osceola high school carpentry class will be traveling to Joplin, MO, from March 11-17, 2012, to assist with rebuilding efforts following the Joplin tornados.  Charlie Mundy, SWCC carpentry instructor, organized the trips through the Fuller Center for Housing.  Fourteen students, two chaperones, and Mundy will be making the trip.  This story was recently featured on KCCI-TV, Des Moines. 

The president of the Fuller Center had heard about similar work the Osceola students completed for storm-ravaged homes in Louisiana a couple of years ago.  The Fuller Center is excited about the students’ skill sets and looking forward to putting them to work.  Many times volunteers travel to assist with projects such as this without any prior construction knowledge.  During their time in Joplin, the students will be working on miscellaneous construction projects including construction of bunk beds, tool storage units, and completing the stucco on the exterior of a house.  The group will be staying in a gymnasium at a local church in Joplin.

Published March 6, 2012 2:54 pm

Creston, IA—Southwestern Community College (SWCC) recently announced the addition of men’s and women’s track and field starting with the 2012-13 school year.

According to Dr. Matt Thompson, SWCC dean of students, the decision to add an intercollegiate sport was made after a lot of thought and consideration by the college’s administration.  SWCC has had men’s and women’s cross country programs in place since 2006.  The Spartans’ cross country teams, under the direction of Head Coach Bill Huntington and Assistant Coach Cari Stalker, have been national contenders throughout the years.  During the 2011 season, the women’s team was ranked in the top 20 nationally.

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Published March 5, 2012 4:04 pm

CRESTON, IA, March 5, 2012—Five Southwestern Community College students placed at the Spring Business Professionals of America (BPA) Leadership Conference in Des Moines, February 26-27, qualifying them for BPA national competition, to be held during the 2012 National Leadership Conference, April 25-29, in Chicago, IL.

SWCC students qualifying for nationals included Nora Andrews, sophomore, office systems specialist major, from Benton; Jacqueline Castillo, sophomore, medical transcription major, from Lenox; Amber Graciano, sophomore, liberal arts major, from Lenox; Melissa Villarreal, sophomore, medical transcription major, from Lenox; and Carla Willis, sophomore, business administration major, from Creston.

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Published February 27, 2012 1:21 pm

Be sure to check out the Art Quilt Display by the local Arts and Fibers Club in the Southwestern Community College LRC (library) in the Instructional Center on the SWCC Creston campus.  More than 30 quilt and craft items are on display throughout the library.  The items will be available for viewing at SWCC until Wednesday, February 29.  To view photos of all items in the show, please visit the "SWCC Library" page on Facebook.

Published February 17, 2012 3:01 pm

CRESTON, IA—The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) women’s basketball team is joining in the fight against breast cancer on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 5:30 p.m., in the Student Center gymnasium.  The Spartans will host Southeastern Community College in a 2012 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone® event.  The team will be raising funds for the Greater Regional Cancer Center, in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, through the 2012 Pink Zone® initiative.

Sponsors for the SWCC Pink Zone® event include Curves, First National Bank, Great Western Bank, Greater Regional Cancer Center in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, Iowa State Savings Bank, State Savings Bank, and Wal-Mart.  Three’s Company of Creston will be donating pink headbands for the event.

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Published February 16, 2012 9:09 am

Read this week's SWCC Weekly online student newsletter!  Articles include Pink Zone Event information, transfer day prize winners, softball raffle wrap-up, auto club apparel on sale, National TRIO Day, and transfer opportunities to the University of Iowa.

Published February 14, 2012 2:10 pm

Creston, IOWA—Two great artists, The Four Freshmen, the legendary vocal jazz/instrumental ensemble, and Nancy King, a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, will headline the Southwestern Community College (SWCC) 15th annual vocal jazz festival, now titled Fox Fest. Both artists will perform in concert on Friday, February 24, and Saturday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center.  Limited tickets will be available to the public each night at a cost of $25 per ticket.  

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Published February 13, 2012 11:41 am

The Automotive Club is selling hats, hoodies, stocking caps, and T-shirts with the SWCC automotive logo (see photos at right).  Costs follow: beanie (black), $14; hat (black with flame), $15; hoodie (black), $30; T-shirt (black, orange, pink, or purple), $16; stocking cap (orange), $14. Pink T-shirts will include the breast cancer symbol (ribbon) and for each T-shirt purchased, $2 will be donated to the breast cancer fund.

To order, please contact Sue Claiser, automotive parts clerk, at 641.782.1306 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Orders are due by February 29, 2012.

Published February 13, 2012 10:09 am

CRESTON—Are you a high school senior looking for help completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms for college this fall?  If so, plan to attend the TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) program’s ninth annual Dinner & a FAFSA Night.  

ETS student participants and their parents may set individual appointments at Southwestern Community College (SWCC) in Creston on Wednesday, February 22, 2012.  Appointments will be scheduled between 4 and 7 p.m. and last approximately 30 minutes.  Students are not required to attend SWCC to register for the event.

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