Southwestern Michigan College won Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s “Shining Star” Oct. 19 at its annual dinner and membership recognition at Elks Lodge 889.

“This organization jumps in and helps in myriad ways,” President Kim MacGregor said, “always with smiles and ‘let us know how we can help.’ We’re so very lucky to have (SMC) in the community.”

“This is very unexpected,” President Dr. David Mathews said, “but we consider ourselves inseparable from the community. Let me say about the sheriff, long before the tragedy at Virginia Tech, we were involved jointly in a law enforcement partnership with the City of Dowagiac and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office to provide campus security. That was only possible because of the sheriff’s confidence in city leadership. I thank the sheriff for his willingness to partner to make the community better.”

Retiring Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. accepted the Chamber’s second Lifetime Achievement Award, prompting congratulations from the first, SMC Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus Dr. Fred L. Mathews.

State Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, extolled SMC recounting Underwood’s achievements during a law-enforcement career, which began with Dowagiac Police Department from 1971 to 1973 under Michigan’s first black chief, George Grady, and ends Dec. 31 after 24 years as sheriff.

“I immediately thought of the golf outing,” Proos said, “which happened because of the partnership with Dr. Mathews and the team at SMC. Joe saw an opportunity to help students. Eighteen years the golf outing produced $500 scholarships for 185 individuals — nearly $93,000.”

The 1997 Cass County Sheriff’s Department and Cass Community Policing Scholarships Endowment contains $126,187, plus Underwood in 2014 added the $5,600 Law Enforcement and Corrections Endowment to support SMC’s criminal justice program.

“Our sheriff went about his work every day without fanfare and no particular interest in accolades. His unique selflessness is an example to all of us. Two years in a row we’ve honored icons,” Proos said.

“It’s not about things I’ve done,” Underwood said, “but things we do as a community. Community input and support lay the groundwork for us to move forward. We were able to put together not only scholarships, but an endowment that will go on forever at SMC. We’ve got to take care of our own first.”

Working with SMC Chief of Staff Tom Atkinson, then Dowagiac public safety director, a city-county drug team was created that “voters approved over and over so we could fight crime together. Then Judge (Susan) Dobrich came along with her drug-court programs that help break the cycle. Law enforcement would not be where we are without court commitment.

“When I became sheriff we averaged 30 fatalities in our small county. Through a combination of visibility and education we average 12 a year. Commissioners bought in and we were able to get grants to work on our high fatality rate. Good people in front of me showed the way.”

Underwood, awarded a Vietnam Purple Heart, has received numerous accolades, from a 2001 Dowagiac Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow to the 2000 Michigan Credit Union Foundation Volunteer of the Year.

The sheriff delivered meals for Cass County Council on Aging.

His wife, Cindy, directed the state Department of Human Services locally.

Underwood graduated from Western Michigan University and the National FBI Academy in Quantico, Va.

He joined the sheriff’s office in 1973 and left at the end of 1988 to work in the private sector until returning as sheriff Jan. 1, 1993.

“Because of your leadership these many years, I know of nowhere in the U.S. where I feel as safe as in Cass County,” Fred Mathews said. “Not only have you served with efficiency, but class. I wish you and your wife many years of relaxation, travel and other activities you enjoy. Thank you for many years of friendship and service.”

“His leadership permeates the county and makes us a kinder, gentler county that treats us with respect,” MacGregor said.

Mayor Donald Lyons and James Bradford accepted the Partnership Award on behalf of the city Department of Public Services.

“A count for the state concluded we had 51 partnerships, from SMC and the Chamber to the City of Buchanan. We could not do what we do or be who we are without critical partnerships leveraging scarce resources,” Lyons said.

Jordan Anderson of Baker’s Rhapsody and Debbie Rohdy of Bow Wow Bakery and Bath received Rising Star Awards. Rob True of True’s Towing and Recovery was named Member of the Year. Rich McCormick received the President’s Award. McCormick, who owns Preferred Printing, has been in business in Dowagiac for 39 years.

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.