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New study shows SC4’s economic impact on students, taxpayers and society

three grads talk before the ceremony
Grad looks up and smiles
Grad smiles as she walks the recessional
Grad smiles with a thumbs upas he walks the recessional
Grad smiles as she walks the recessional
Grad smiles as she walks the recessional
Grad smiles as she walks the recessional
grad smiles during the ceremony
Grads sing the national athem
Grad in front of SC4 background
Grad smiles
Grad smiles in front of SC4 background
Grad smiles as she walks the recessional

More 2022 Commencement images

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) provides enormous economic value to St. Clair County and the surrounding area, generating more than $137 million in total economic impact.

The figure is among key findings of a newly released study by the nationally recognized economic research firm Emsi Burning Glass, which uses labor market statistics to measure the social as well as the economic impact of the community college in the region.

The study shows a high rate of return on investment for students, taxpayers and society. 

Students enjoy a 14.5 percent rate of return on their educational investment at SC4. For every $1 students invest, they’ll receive $3.80 in higher future earnings than their non-degree holding peers.

Taxpayers receive a high rate of return on their investment as well. State and local funding of $18.9 million in the study year generated $35.6 million in total benefits through added public sector revenue and savings derived through improved alumni salaries and lifestyles. This means for every tax dollar spent educating students attending SC4, taxpayers receive an average of $2.00 in return over the course of the students’ working lives—an annual rate of return of 4.3 percent.

Society invested $48.4 million in SC4 in FY 2020-21. This includes the college’s expenditures, student expenses, and student opportunity costs. In return, the state of Michigan will receive an estimated present value of $417 million in added state revenue over the course of the students’ working lives.

Michigan will also benefit from an estimated $9.5 million in present value social savings related to reduced crime, lower welfare and unemployment, and increased health and well-being across the state. Every dollar society invests in SC4 yields an average of $8.80 in benefits to society.

“The college naturally helps students achieve their individual potential and develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to have fulfilling and prosperous careers,” the report states. “However, SC4 impacts St. Clair County beyond influencing the lives of students. The college’s program offerings supply employers with workers to make their businesses more productive. The college, its day-to-day operations, its construction activities, and the expenditures of its students support the county economy through the output and employment generated by county vendors. The benefits created by the college extend as far as the state treasury in terms of the increased tax receipts and decreased public sector costs generated by students across the state.”

The study showed that in FY 2020-21, operations, construction and student spending of SC4, together with the enhanced productivity of its alumni, generated $137.7 million in added income for the St. Clair County economy— equal to approximately 2.3 percent of the total gross regional product (GRP) of St. Clair County. 2,041 jobs exist in the county because of the economic impact of SC4.

SC4 students, both drawn to and retained in the area because of the college, added $855,200 to the regional economy. The impact of SC4 alumni, including thousands employed in St. Clair County, amounted to $112.9 million in added income for the St. Clair County economy.

Michigan’s community colleges enroll nearly the same amount of students as Michigan’s public four-year colleges and universities. Historically, community colleges such as SC4 offer more affordable tuition, quality programs, enhanced personalized attention and support, flexible options and seamless transfer pathways.

SC4 alumni honor parents, support future generations with scholarships and grants

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) alumni Martha Foley and Dan Fredendall recently created the Therese A. Foley Student Assistance Fund and the Eileen M. and Lawrence D. Fredendall Scholarship Fund—as well as provided grants for the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 and other student support initiatives—to honor the lives and legacies of their parents.

“They were all such strong, selfless and caring role models,” said Martha, who met Dan at SC4 before they both transferred to Michigan State University. “They were committed to advancing the well-being of others within the Blue Water area. These scholarships and grants honor their work and ‘pay-it-forward’ commitment to others.”

Martha’s mother, Therese, was the youngest of 11 children from the east side of Detroit, who became a devoted mother of six, a registered nurse, and an environmental and public health activist, finishing her career as a clinical nursing instructor at SC4. Her father, Maurice was altruistic and driven, attended Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario after high school, served in the Navy during WWII, then finished his bachelor’s degree from Assumption after the war. After early jobs in the Fenton area, Maurice started working as a teacher. He taught middle school mathematics in Detroit and Port Huron schools for almost 35 years, served as supervisor of Fort Gratiot Township for eight years in the 1980s, and was active in the Society of St Vincent de Paul for decades.

Eileen Fredendall, born in Port Huron, was a committed mother of nine, a registered nurse and a community volunteer. Dan’s father, Lawrence, came to Port Huron from Iowa after high school. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was the first in his family line to go to college. After marrying Eileen, he earned an associate degree from Port Huron Junior College (SC4) under the GI Bill while working full time. An entrepreneur, Lawrence owned or managed a variety of businesses and finished his career with Serve-All Appliance. He was most proud of his work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, including revitalizing the stores in the greater metro Detroit area, and was instrumental in launching the Blue Water Community Food Depot.

Their parents had similar backgrounds and experiences and, unbeknownst to Martha and Dan, they knew each other before Martha and Dan met. Both mothers attended three-year, hospital-based nursing degree programs as United States Cadet Nurse Corps, finishing just after WWII ended. Their fathers were both involved at their parish churches in community outreach and knew each other through their work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

“They all poured themselves out to others,” Dan said. “Whether that was in the hospital, the classroom, taking someone into their home, or in the community, they gave others the best of themselves, even when it may have been difficult. There was always someone else who needed more and they helped provide it.”

By creating these scholarships and grants through the SC4 Foundation held at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Martha and Dan are following in their parents’ footsteps and encouraging future generations to do the same. They both recognize that community college is an important bridge for many students to make the transition between high school graduation and success in a bachelor’s degree at the university level, particularly for a first-generation college student.

The Therese A. Foley Student Assistance Fund and the Eileen M. and Lawrence D. Fredendall Scholarship Fund will be awarded in perpetuity to SC4 students pursuing nursing or a STEM-related program. The grants will support access to missions at the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 as well as potential tuition assistance for disadvantaged students, Skip’s Corner Pantry support, ad hoc student assistance for one-time unanticipated events or housing support.

“We are beyond grateful to Martha and Dan for their generous support,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, SC4 president. “It’s clear Martha and Dan’s parents were incredible individuals and role models for their families and communities. Thanks to their parents’ example, they are now doing the same for a whole new generation of students. The impact of their parents’ lives and work will continue to be felt for years to come.”

Community Foundation Vice President Jackie Hanton added, “Martha and Dan were thoughtful and impact-driven with their major gift. They were able to make a bigger impact on future students because they gifted stock. When appreciated stock is gifted, the donors do not have to pay capital gains tax. It is truly a win-win that will have lasting implications in the lives of so many future students.”

Dan and Martha recently visited SC4’s campus and reflected on their and Therese’s time there.

“That’s the first time we’ve been back to campus in a long time,” Martha said. “Back when Therese taught Nursing at the College, they learned by way of practicing on each other. She would be astonished and thrilled to see the technology and spaces in the Health Sciences Building. It’s an impressive facility.”

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5530.

1947 Nursing School image of Therese Foley
1946 Nursing School image of Eileen Fredendall
1986 image of Maurice and Therese Foley
2005 image of Eileen and Lawrence Fredendall
1950 image of Lawrence Fredendall with Dean Jr. upon SC4 (Port Huron Junior College) Commencement

College celebrates 64th edition of Michigan’s longest-running, student-led literary and arts magazine

St. Clair County Community College students were recognized for their work in the 64th edition of Patterns magazine, Michigan’s oldest literary and arts publication aimed at showcasing student writing talent and works of art.

Patterns is designed, proofed and published by SC4 students. Brandi Schmitz was the graphic designer for this edition, while faculty members Sarah Flatter, Jim Frank and Gary Schmitz provided direction and support to students.

“Patterns is an opportunity to celebrate being creative and to recognize the unique talents of our next generation of artists,” said Flatter, professor of fine arts and graphic design at the college. “We congratulate all of those who contributed to the 64th edition of Patterns and honor their success while at SC4.”

The following students received awards:

Literature

  • Eleanor Mathews Award, writing — Daisi Dixon, of Emmett
  • Blanche Redman Award, poetry — Makenna Joppich, of Kenockee Township, for Is Everyone Okay?
  • Second-place poem — Daisi Dixon, of Emmett, for Vines
  • Third-place poem — Makenna Joppich, of Kenockee Township, for In a Single Moment
  • Kathleen Nickerson Award, essay — Max Kenny, of Fort Gratiot, for Nuclear Energy
  • Second-place essay — Daisi Dixon, of Emmett, for The Boy with Chocolate Curls
  • Third-place essay — Amanda Hurst, of Marine City, for Equality for All or Only for Some
  • Richard Colwell Award, short story — Gracie Graber, of Wales Township, for One Last Ride
  • Second-place short story — Maya Taylor, of Port Huron, for Mary de la Rosa and Mrs. Little
  • Third-place short story — Madison Mattox, of St. Clair, for Burning Fire

Art

  • Patrick Bourke Award, art — Katsiaryna Trapashka, of Port Huron
  • First-place visual art — Cass Gordon, of Snover, for Dragon Fossil
  • Second-place visual art — Bryce Hurd, of Fort Gratiot, for Untitled
  • Third-place visual art — Katsiaryna Trapashka, of Port Huron, for The Intertwining of Time

Merit awards also were provided to students for having their work chosen for inclusion in Patterns:

Literary Selection of Merit

  • Makenzie Beauchamp, of Port Huron
  • Luke Eitniear, of St. Clair
  • Gracie Graber, of Wales Township
  • Makenna Joppich, of Kenockee Township
  • Breanna Sylvia, of Port Huron
  • Grace Woytta, of St. Clair

Arts Selection of Merit

  • Emerald Anderson, of Imlay City
  • Courtney Angebrandt, of Peck
  • Lauren Cooney, of Kimball Township
  • Acadia DeNault, of St. Clair
  • Isabella Perry, of Capac
  • JR McPhail, of Port Huron
  • Grace McCarthy, of Capac
  • Elaina Penn, of Port Huron
  • Brandi Schmitz, of St. Clair
  • Tessa Weingartz, of Imlay City
  • Phillip Winterbauer, of St. Clair

Production of Patterns is made possible by the financial support from St. Clair County Community College and SC4 Friends of the Arts. Copies of Patterns are available in Room 10, SC4 Fine Arts Building, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or by calling (810) 989-5709. A digital copy is available to view and download at sc4.edu/patterns.

SC4 students earn degrees, certificates

St. Clair County Community College’s 98th Commencement ceremony Friday, May 6, honored graduating students in numerous associate degree and certificate programs.

More than 400 students eligible to graduate from the current academic year, as well as 1,470 previous graduates who finished during the pandemic were invited to participate in the ceremony.

SC4 students earned one-year certificates and associate degrees in arts, business, science, general education, and applied arts and sciences. The official Commencement program with a complete list of student names, certificates, degrees and honors is available at sc4.edu/commencement.

Links to photo galleries and a video of the ceremony are available at sc4.edu/commencement.

Candidates for graduation for winter and summer 2022 semesters, ordered by hometown:

ALGONAC — Hannah Carithers, Cassidy Gordon, Raven Gunnells, Miles Hojnacki, Jasmina Jovanovska-Spence, Ciara Lane, Rachel Metcalf, Taylor Myers, Madelynn Saddler, Jonathan Saums and Lexi Wagner.

ALLENDALE — Alicia Munro.

ALLENTON — Emma Horetski.

ALMONT — Maria Bussone, Ashley Kraft, Holly Meno and Timothy Wolf.

ANN ARBOR — Kallie Albert.

ARMADA — Kayla Campis and Nicole Sawitzky.

ATTICA — Ashley Vissotski.

AVOCA — Russell Keuning, Sarah Koch, Julia McMillin, Nicholas Preston, Kyle Stapleton, Katherine Stevenson, Ashley Wescott and Craig Wilder.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP — Olivia McCarroll and Ashley Wampfler.

BROCKWAY TOWNSHIP — Virginia Kosek.

BROWN CITY — Breydon Andrez, Benjamin Garcia, Joseph Gingell, Chealse Miller and Tiffany Paschke.

BURTCHVILLE TOWNSHIP — Alison Lacey, Tyler Maxfield and Bethany Pomaville.

CAPAC — Ashlynn Fistler, Samantha King, Nicole Marabate, Grace McCarthy, Alyssa Orlando and Ava Vancil.

CARSONVILLE — Anna Hill.

CASCO TOWNSHIP — Alexis Jarvis and Alyssa Pollauf.

CASS CITY — Angela Bryant.

CHESTERFIELD — Mical Bey-Shelley, Giovanni Coletti and Ashley Howard.

CHINA TOWNSHIP — Haley Rittenhouse and Brooke Volkman.

CLAY TOWNSHIP — Sarah Borunda, Riley Brandt, Abigail Folkerts, Katie Gabriel, Alicia Jarvi, Marianne Karos and Percy Ziolkowski.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Amanda Bruce, Natalie Conley and Alicia Urben.

CLYDE TOWNSHIP — Brennan Ainsworth, Cameron Barlass, Alexa Bramer, Molly Hillis, Aiden Horn, Jordan Kelly, Katie Marcero, Gavin Schwentor and Riley Soulliere.

COLUMBIAVILLE — Lily Ragatz.

COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP — John Gross, Paul Jones, Dean Kalebjian, Logan Kessinger, Anna Roland, Carrie Rush and Kevin Zoeplitz.

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP — Kelly Bonam and Karleigh Mistretta.

CROSWELL — Susan Cornwell, Julia Krawczyk and Carla Reimel.

DAVISON — Darrell Washington.

DECKERVILLE — Timothy Rich.

DETROIT — Cameron Hudson.

EAST CHINA TOWNSHIP — Tristen Anglin, Zachary Burt, Jessica Hopkins, Amy Jabe, Olivia Jovanovich, Mary Langell, Molly Metheny, Karly Scharf and Lacey Tite.

EMMETT — Mark Donnellon, Kathryn Lozowski, Justus McCall, Alexandra Moran, Austin Snider and Sabrina Wicker.

FAIR HAVEN — Zachary Bral, Trevor Buza and Isabella Kawalec.

FORT GRATIOT — Halie Bearden, Alissa Bonney, Lydia Bonney, Brooke Booth, Tianna Boyd-Cleaver, Alexzandra Carr, Matthew Cronce, Emma Farnsworth, Abbigayle Haskell, Kevin Hilliker, Keenon Huss, Larissa John, Ethan Kane, Maxwell Kenny, Zoe Klink, Sean Kreda, Kiera McNeill, Kobi Moretz, James Phillips, Alexandra Platzer, MacKenzie Schott, Kassandra Sepsey, Kelleigh Shanahan, Lily Sharkey, Alisa Shudell, Lawrence Skotzke, Nicholas Stalker, Joshua Staples, Sophia Vani, Devin Walker, Ian Wilson and Luke Zeller.

GOODELLS — Christina Cooper, Tracy Lepak, Mya Lounsberry, Tara Peters and Rachel Walch.

HARBOR BEACH — Gina Ahrens, Camryn Booms, Brady Kirsch and Rebecca Roggenbuck.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Samuel Delisi, Jenna Eskelinen and Jenna Eskelinen.

IMLAY CITY — Jade Anderson.

IRA TOWNSHIP — Jennifer Darga.

JEDDO — Lily Connelly, Ciara Heckendorn, Donovan Paldanius and Cory Vanbuskirk.

KALAMAZOO — Stephanie Moravcik.

KENOCKEE TOWNSHIP — Brooke Thompson.

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP — Jacob Armstrong, Kaylyn Ashbaugh, Dominic Atkins, Cameron Colgan, Lauren Cooney, Averie Dunn, Ethan Dunsmore, Kyle Frizzle, Jackie Gibbs, Katie Gossman, Jessica Justice, Tara Lukasik-Blount, Brynn Meadows, Tyler Nunez, Nadine Ritchey, Lauryn Roff, Olivia Rousey, Beth Seibert, Kaitlyn Szukala, Max Thoennes, Robin Tomaschko, Amber Whitefield and Paige Zimmerman.

KINCHELOE — Logan Kessinger.

LAKEPORT — Asmara Miron and Daniel Rich.

LAPEER — Stacy Baldwin, Alexis Crenshaw, Rebecca Jar and Jessica Starr.

LEONARD — Carolynne Mole.

LEXINGTON — Brooke Albrecht, Brandon Barr, Alesha Hibbs and Cody Paris.

MACOMB — Jacob Horvath.

MARINE CITY — Victoria Beauvais, Melanie Carlson, Emily Casadei, Nicole Degasperis, Lydia Fowler, Chelsea Frost, Amanda Hurst, Karl Kozfkay, Heather Swearingen and Alyssa Westrick.

MARYSVILLE — Nichole Burgess, Michael Cowhy, Emily Dodson, Kaci Ferguson, James Fogal, Alicia Hall, Jennifer Harvey, Chantel Hilgendorf, Darren Hoxsey, Jenna Hude, Danielle Kettlewell, Heather Krawczyk, Krysta Krawczyk, Loretta Latimer, Luke Mosher, Kasie Mosurak, Andrea Peters, Paige Raymo, Aaron Rogers, Drew Saunders, Troy Walcott, Emily Westrick and Sean Wolfinger.

MELVIN — Hailey Chisholm.

MEMPHIS — Jordyn Malinowski, Mira Passalacqua, Isabella Quesnelle, Erica Syck and Gracie Walsh.

MUSSEY TOWNSHIP — Ryann Ramirez and Brianna Robberstad.

NEW BALTIMORE — Casondra Sumpter.

NEW HAVEN — Latonya Harmon and Lacrisa Jackson.

NORTH BRANCH — Katrina Guldi.

NORTH STREET — Destiny Harrison, Heather Jacobs, Kayley Lambert and Joseph Marcero.

ORTONVILLE — Natasha Krivak.

PEARL BEACH — Shayla Avers.

PECK — Courtney Angebrandt.

PORT HURON — Sydney Anger, Maleiah Banks, Brook Bauman, MacKenzie Beauchamp, Matthew Beebe, Danielle Bower, Lillian Caldwell, Ryan Churchill, Asia Cooper, Noel Cosby, Kylee Crane, Morgan Crigger, Monea Cureton, Di’mond Davis, Cristina De Gregory, Andrew Dietz, Amara DiTrapani, Elaina DiTrapani, Shylah Drouillard, Megan Drummond, Rachel Dubs, Courtney Ehrler, Courtney Fair, Jacob Frantz, Morgan Fulgenti, Jenna Fye, Jose Ganhs, Daniel Gore, Kaitlin Green, Avery Greene, Madison Greer, Michael Grove, Brooke Haggerty, Jessica Harmon-Franz, Kennedy Harrell, AnaLisa Harrington, Samantha Herman, Jenna Holzberger, Chandelle Howard, Paul Jacobs, Chaise Jawor, Allison Jones, Marc Jones, Logan Kellerman, Elaina Kocis, Toni Lasher, Somer Laubert, Amy Leach, Amanda Lemon, Skylar Lewandowski, Mikayla Madley, Kayleen McComas, Nelle McDonald, Linsay McLain, Laura McNeill, JR McPhail, Diamond Meadows, Brent Mitchell, Caleb Nevison, Logan Nichols, Amanda Nunez, Mari Olvera, Elaina Penn, Ethan Poor, Brandon Purcell, Paige Ringer, Nicholle Rose, David Roy, Hannah Sagash, Enesa Salihovic, Violet Sanchez, Sean Sapienza, Andre Sasser, Lauren Schoof, Athena Schrader, Helena Schrader, Conner Smith, Diann Smith, Hailey Stark, Skyler Streeter Fye, Makhia Tremble, Jennifer Tucker, Andrew Tyburskie, Zoey Vos, Kaley Wagner, Steven Webster, Avery Westbrook, Payton Westbrook, Thomaya White, Kaitlyn Willis, Tayler Willis, Julia Wing, Donna Wolven and Grace Wurmlinger.

PORT HURON TOWNSHIP — Armond Hicks.

PORT SANILAC — Samantha Coon.

RICHMOND — Renee DuVall, Regina Long and Camille Schafer.

RILEY TOWNSHIP — Shelby Enders and Chelsea Szyska.

ROMEO — Naomi Amey and Alivia Cameron,

RUBY — Sarah Kovacs and Sara Pilgrim.

RUTH — Tori Stein.

SAINT JOHNS — Cody Wood.

SANDUSKY — Olivia Bracken and Kailey Schomaker.

SNOVER — Samuel Gordon and Elizabeth Minard.

ST. CLAIR — Brennen Buckley, Samantha Dodson, Shelby Eveland, Zacchaeus Gilbert, Nathan Hartman, Luke Heid, Lydia Hiller, Dakota Holka, Stephanie Jandron, Emily Jurkiewicz, Megan Kammer, Sarah Kehoe, Makayla Kolakovich, Quain Korth, Emma Labeau, James Majeski, John Majeski, Chloe Mills, Katelynn Paynter, Ella Potthoff, Sydney Raymo, Kevin Rogers, Elizabeth Rylander, Drew Saunders, Danielle Sikora, Wyatt Stimac, Casey Verbeke, Brittany Watts and Heather Woodman.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Sierra Ganhs and Jake Myers.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Dominic Spahn.

UTICA — Sarah Miller.

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO — Stephen Phillips.

WARREN — Janae Smith and Jewel Smith.

YALE — Brooke Edgerton, Julia Hendershot-Reno, Olivia Iseler, Trenton Petersen, Chad Plenda, Carleigh Randolph, Cindy Starks and Donyele Watson.