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DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College will be searching to fill the school’s top administrative post following the resignation of President Dr. Joseph Odenwald.

Odenwald has notified the SMC Board of Trustees that he has accepted the presidency of Alma College in Alma, Mich., effective June 1, 2025.  Odenwald will remain in his current position stewarding the college through Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10.

“Dr. Odenwald has had an exemplary time of service at SMC, first as Vice President of Student Services, and then more than five years as president,” said Board Chairman Tom Jerdon. “SMC has been blessed to have Dr. Odenwald, who has been an entrepreneurial and  transformative  leader.  With regret, the Board accepts his resignation and wishes him and his family the best with all blessings in his next position.”

Odenwald joined the college on Nov. 27, 2017, moving from his role as assistant dean for academic affairs at the Louisiana State University College of Engineering. The Board of Trustees appointed him SMC’s eighth president effective Jan. 1, 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history (with a minor in religion) from Louisiana College, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Mississippi College, a doctorate in higher education administration from The University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree with a concentration in strategic management from Michigan State University. He also completed the coursework for a certificate in fundraising management from the Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. 

“SMC is home to Laura, Joseph and me,” Dr. Odenwald said. “It’s the only college Joseph has known, from watching graduations to attending concerts to enjoying exciting game nights in 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse. You welcomed us from a faraway land, and we will always consider ourselves Roadrunners. This is a special place because of each of you. Any success for me from here forward will be due in part to what I have learned, and we have applied here.”

“The Board of Trustees will act accordingly to continue to advance the college and move forward with campus initiatives, projects and leadership to continue to provide high-quality and affordable post-secondary education for our students, as well as provide great facilities and a beautiful campus for both students and all team members,” Jerdon said.