Caitlyn Napier and Amanda Badner are Southwestern Michigan College business majors from Dowagiac.

The freshmen friends are two of 386 housing students who moved in Sept. 3. Fall classes start today.

Napier and Badner room together in William M. White Hall with suitemates from Wisconsin and South Bend, Ind.

“It’s real close to home, but not at home, so I can get out by myself a little bit,” Napier said. “It’s way cheaper than if I had my own apartment. I’m almost a sophomore” thanks to SMC classes completed while enrolled at Union High School.

She’s studying business with the goal of becoming a buyer.

Badner, like other business students, chose a versatile degree while refining career aspirations.

“My boyfriend’s mom owns her own business, so she’s talked to me a lot,” Badner said. “I want to see what all is out there.”

“I’m looking forward to activities going on this week, like water slide kickball and volleyball,” which Badner played for the Chieftains. “I’m excited. Everyone’s so close because they try to get everybody together to hang out. It was cool we got to request rooming together. They worked with us, which was nice.”

Badner considered studying interior design. “Designing the inside of a restaurant seems cool, but there’s a lot of drawing and I’m not an artist. Some people come in with a plan and it ends up changing. I don’t have a plan yet.”

A theme unifies each floor, while each of three triple-floored residence halls possesses a unique character contrary to identical exterior appearances.

White’s academic floor with earlier quiet hours sets a studious tone that filters through the hall.

Keith H. McKenzie Hall, opened first in 2009, is the sporty spot, while the arts community inhabits Thomas F. Jerdon Hall, themed with villains, aliens and zombies.

Portraits of “The Walking Dead” cast line Jerdon’s top floor.

Shawn Rawson, the former Student Activities Center manager who oversees Jerdon, said, “In the Battle of the Buildings, we’re the villains. We won last year. Everybody’s always trying to take us down.”

Katelynn Flowers, residential assistant (RA) and SpongeBob fan, selected a nautical theme for McKenzie’s second floor, sandwiched between travel and owls.

“Being an RA is a growing experience,” Flowers, a communications student from Sturgis, said. “You have to grow up and help a lot of people. A year ago I had tightness in my throat all day because I was about to cry, which I did while folding my laundry when my parents left because I was sad.”

“I picked SMC because it was close to home and not so big I would feel far away,” Flowers said. “It helps you take those first steps leaving home.”

“Ironically,” Craig Goralski said, “I downsized from high school to college. My graduating class was 1,200.”

Goralski, a third-year student transitioning into Ferris State University without leaving the Dowagiac campus, graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind.

The business administration major is the youngest of three.

His sisters attended Indiana University and Arizona State University.

“This is more affordable,” said Goralski, who spent summer working 40 hours a week as a Menard’s building materials department sales representative.

“I haven’t needed my parents to move me in since freshman year,” the son of an electrical contractor said. “Being the youngest, my mom cried when she dropped me off. I haven’t made my bed yet, which she wouldn’t be happy about.”

“It’s nice to be back,” said the avid intramural athlete, who squeezed in travel to Chicago, Indianapolis and Cedar Point.

Emily Schrock, the RA responsible for Goralski’s travel-themed floor, is a business major from Constantine.

Her passion for photography will serve her well when she realizes her dream destination, Venice, Italy.

Ruthie Ramon, the RA who decorated with owls, incorporates the birds in motivational messages such as “owl succeed.”

“I wanted to become an RA for more of an experience with my college,” said Ramon, of Hartford. “I really enjoyed being at this college and wanted more from it before I graduate. I’m studying to be an early childhood educator. I started in medical assisting and changed my major when I realized needles are not for me.”

Upon first coming to SMC, “I was very nervous,” Ramon recalled. “I was afraid of not having friends. Now, I know a lot about college and I’m very confident. I’m glad I have the opportunity to help incoming freshmen feel at home and not be afraid or nervous. It’s something new that can be scary if no one helps you.”

 

About Southwestern Michigan College

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.