DOWAGIAC — In January 2020, the eighth president of Southwestern Michigan College, Dr. Joseph Odenwald, will begin to make his shared vision a reality.

He was unanimously selected as the eighth president of Southwestern Michigan College by the board of trustees Monday night. Odenwald is the current vice president of student services and has been at the college since 2017. He will succeed Dr. David Mathews, who announced earlier this year his planned retirement from the college.

Odenwald told Leader Publications Tuesday afternoon that he felt lots of emotions and was grateful and appreciative of the support.

“It’s just very exciting for me, and I’m just kind of overwhelmed right now still,” he said.

His vision for serving as the president of a college institution began when he was a freshman at Louisiana College, where he earned his bachelor of arts. He went on to then earn a master of science from Mississippi College and his doctor of education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Odenwald has previously worked as assistant dean for academic affairs and student services at Louisiana State University’s College of Engineering. He also held positions at Mississippi College, including associate dean of students and director of student life, while teaching graduate courses as a member of adjunct faculty.

Now, as he was announced as the eighth president of SMC, his goal is becoming reality.

“It’s been a goal of mine for probably 18 years, and this is getting to it,” he said.

The “getting to it” aspect begins with Odenwald working with the rest of campus to collaboratively figure out the specific steps of how to meet his seven themes for the future.

Conditions the future president already saw at SMC included an enrollment culture, exceptional faculty and staff, an entrepreneurial academic spirit, excellent facilities, engaged students and eager educational partners. Odenwald also mentioned the continuation of strong bonds and relationships with local high schools and SMC’s four-year partners.

“A big step there will be hammering out this strategic plan for 2020-2023 with a lot of representation across campus,” Odenwald said.

The board of trustees unanimously voted to select Odenwald as the eighth president of SMC after his shared vision, strong interpersonal skills and his cover letter stood out from the other three candidates.

“I just thought in the presentation, I listened to the vision this person had for this institution through the communication he gave us that day, the history, the mission, the values of this college,” Secretary William White said at the board of trustees meeting. “I think this person is committed [to the idea] that this institution is a learning institution. It’s not just a teaching institution; it’s for people to learn at. I believe this individual is conservative and responsible. … I think they align with the focus of this board and what we’ve talked about the last couple of years with enrollment being the key to continued excellence.”

White went on to say his choice would be Odenwald. Fellow trustee Dr. Elaine Foster, Dr. Heidi Grabmeyer-Layman, Vice Chairman Keith McKenzie, Treasurer Becky Moore and President Thomas Jerdon all stated Odenwald was their top choice.

Two board members also shared a feeling that the other three candidates were already in their ideal positions.

“I felt like [the other three candidates] were in the right positions already,” Moore said. “They have so much more to offer the college in the positions that they are in that they are doing such an excellent job with.”

White concluded trustee comments by saying Odenwald had not forgotten what it was like to be a student.

“I think that’s really important at our institution,” White said.

As Odenwald makes the transition to become the college’s eighth president in the next few months, he feels he will be accepted in the same way he was when he arrived at SMC two years ago.

“We just feel like we are at home,” Odenwald said. “I hope this is my last stop.”