Southwestern Michigan College nursing student Ashlie Herman of Cassopolis expects to graduate next spring with her Associate in Applied Science degree.

She received the Dr. Fred and Ann Dean Scholarship established at one of the first “Acres of Diamonds” fundraisers.

Eighty people attended the Aug. 15s event in Berrien County Road Commission Managing Director Louis Csokasy’s Diamond Lake orchard.

The annual scholarship event raised more than $21,000.

Herman graduated ninth in her 132-member Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School 2012 class.

“I wanted to major in a medical field, but not nursing,” Herman said. “I got accepted to Baker College, majoring in physical therapy. I ended up moving back because it wasn’t a good fit. I wasn’t ready to go to college. I was completely overwhelmed. My SMC advisor encouraged me to give nursing a shot. I really enjoy doing exactly what I told myself I wasn’t going to do. It was one of the best things I ever did.”

“Everybody says nursing is hard, but I passed my prerequisites with mostly A’s so how hard could it be?” Herman said. “Boy, was I wrong! Nursing school is intense. What helps is the instructors. They’re so knowledgeable and compassionate. One of my favorite things about nursing school is clinicals. Seeing surgery was my favorite part.”

“SMC classes are smaller compared to universities,” Herman said. “You can interact with teachers and students and get close because these people understand when no one else does. You see them more than your family. They become your family. Instructors get to know how far they can push you. When you think you can’t handle it, they push you a bit more to make sure you’re the best nurse you can be. They’re your biggest supporters. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.

“After I graduate in May, I’ll take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). I will continue working in Memorial Hospital’s Level II trauma unit in South Bend with the goal of working for a Level I with more-critical patients. I hope to go on for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and, down the line, nurse practitioner. My biggest dream is to be a travel nurse, see the world and touch as many lives as I can.”

Stephanie Rich of Berrien Springs, who earned her A.A.S. degree in 2015, continues in criminal justice through Ferris State University on the Dowagiac campus to become a criminal profiler. She also graduates next spring.

Rich, Brian Rhoa scholarship recipient, was among eight students selected for Seeking Justice, a cold-case team which helped authorities resolve a 38-year-old murder case.

“I am astonished by what we accomplished,” Rich said. “I am first in my family to graduate with a high-school diploma. Now, I’m going to be first with a bachelor’s degree. My father passed away when I was 8. I helped take care of my severely autistic brother” and “fell in love with court” following the televised 2011 Casey Anthony trial.

In the 2016-17 academic year, SMC Foundation awards $307,600 in scholarships. The college budgeted an additional $475,000, since 57 percent of students classify as financially needy under federal guidelines.

President Dr. David Mathews said, “$178,500 a year comes from one gift, Ed Guse’s farm. That money goes to students studying a variety of things, including agriculture through our partnership with Michigan State University. What a legacy! The general-fund contribution includes providing every penny of profit we get running our bookstore to student scholarships.”

Established in 1970, SMC’s foundation provides financial support for students seeking to enhance their lives through education and training.

“The goal of the foundation is to close through scholarships the gap that exists between needs and resources,” President Ginny Crawford said. “The SMC Foundation also supports the college in projects not funded through taxes, tuition and grants. For example, we recently helped fund the student-led Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Club. Our fundraising occurs continuously through events such as this, annual giving campaigns and planned gifts. Currently, 171 endowments and scholarships exist. Each helps us achieve our motto, Changing lives one student at a time.”

Since 2007, 15 Diamond Lake and five Eagle Lake endowments total $607,000. “Income on these monies produced almost $34,000 in scholarship funds for our students,” Crawford said. “However, the reality is financial needs of our students continue to outpace scholarship monies available.” The foundation matches gifts of at least $2,500 up to $25,000.

Saturday evening featured musical entertainment by Director of Choral Activities David Carew’s Select Voices and Director of Bands Dr. Jon Korzun’s Jazz Ensemble.

For more information on how to contribute to SMC scholarships, contact Director of Development Eileen Toney at (269) 782-1301, etoney@swmich.edu or 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047.