College News

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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Published February 2, 2012 11:09 am

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) is hosting an Iowa College Goal Sunday event on Wed., February 22, 2012, from 2-7 p.m. in Tech Center I on the Creston campus.  During the event, volunteers will assist future college students and their families in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

No appointment is necessary for College Goal Sunday and all services are FREE.  The event is open to the public.  Students or parents may attend individually, but it is recommended students bring at least one parent or guardian.  Refreshments will be provided from 4-7 p.m. and each individual attending will receive a complimentary ticket to attend the SWCC women’s basketball game that evening at 5:30 p.m. against Marshalltown Community College.

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Published January 27, 2012 1:45 pm

January 27, 2012, DES MOINES—Iowa Senator John P. “Jack” Kibbie, who is often referred to as “the father of Iowa community colleges,” was honored on January 26, 2012, at the Iowa statehouse by those who have been impacted the most by his leadership in action.  Some 200 Iowa community college students, Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) board members, community college presidents and staff, along with agency boards and directors, gathered at 7:30 a.m. on the first floor of the State Capitol East Rotunda to show their respect for Kibbie’s efforts through the years.  During the ceremony, state legislators and special guest Iowa Governor Terry Branstad made remarks regarding Kibbie’s significant contribution to Iowa’s educational system.

In 1965, Kibbie sponsored the bill to create Iowa’s community colleges.  During his tenure as an elected official in the Iowa House of Representatives, as a member of the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees, and in the Iowa Senate, Kibbie has remained a steadfast supporter of Iowa’s community colleges.  Kibbie was first elected to the Iowa House in 1960.  He served on the Iowa Lakes Community College board from 1970 to 1988, when he joined the Senate.  Kibbie will not run for re-election in the 2012 elections.

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