2022 Southwestern Magazine

What a GREAT first year I have had as president of Southwestern Community College! In 1995, when I began my career in higher education as a science faculty member here at Southwestern, I never dreamed of the many different routes I would follow as I traveled along my career path. I certainly would never have believed 26 years later I would return to SWCC to serve as president of the college.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words! These highlight photos from the 2021-22 academic year speak volumes to all of the events and activities on campus during the last year. It was wonderful to see social distancing requirements following COVID being relaxed so students could be active again.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

During a ceremony held on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in the Southwestern Community College Student Center gymnasium, the 1998-99 national-qualifying Spartan men's basketball team, as well as the team's coach, the late Bill Taylor, were inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Hall of Fame.

• By Terri Higgins
• Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management
• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

Erica Frey and her team have touched the lives of countless students in the 20 years she has been the director of TRIO-Talent Search at Southwestern Community College.

The work she and her team do is important to the students in the eight school districts they serve. TRIO-Talent Search is a grant-funded program that aims to help prepare students in grades six through 12 get ready for college.

• By Scott Vicker
• Marketing and Institutional Advancement Specialist
• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

Looking at the calendar, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, was earmarked Random Act of Kindness Day, but a group of five Southwestern Community College (SWCC) students didn’t wait for the holiday, performing an unbelievable and unprompted act of kindness one day ahead, on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and garnering local and statewide attention for their positive behaviors.

• By Terri Higgins
• Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management
• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

Life has a funny way of placing people where they are supposed to be. In Tom Lesan’s case, that was at Southwestern Community College. A graduate of Creston High School, Lesan attended SWCC and graduated in 1978 before attending the University of Iowa. When he left SWCC as a student in 1978, he had no idea he would one day return and stay for 41 years.

• By Scott Vicker
• Marketing and Institutional Advancement Specialist
• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

In 1991, Phil Mattson joined the staff at Southwestern Community College to transform the college's professional music program, "to help the serious musician committed to a music career." According to the winter 1993 issue of The Southwestern, "The new program, called The School for Music Vocations, is built upon the reputation of Phil Mattson, a nationally recognized artist and instructor."

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

During the 2021-22 academic year, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) students and employees have received a number of accolades!

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.

• The Southwestern Magazine, published annually by the marketing and institutional advancement offices, is a publication of the Southwestern Community College Education Foundation. Address changes may be sent to Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, or emailed to thiggins@swcciowa.edu.