Author: Bridget Barrett

SC4 Cinema Celebrates Black History Month with Special Film Series

PORT HURON, Mich. — St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will honor Black History Month with a powerful lineup of films at SC4 Cinema, celebrating Black artistry, storytelling and cultural impact. The featured films highlight music, sports, resilience and history through compelling cinematic experiences.

The series includes:

“Amazing Grace” is an Aretha Franklin concert film shot in a church at the live recording of her gospel record of the same name. Filmed in 1972, technical and legal challenges kept it unseen for nearly 40 years. It’s a powerful film of music and soul that showcases the legendary Detroit singer at the absolute height of her talent, spirit, and power.

“Love and Basketball” is a film about a competitive boy and girl who grow up as friends loving the sport. Can they balance their basketball dreams with their relationship as they get older? This classic drama from Gina Prince-Bythewood is a sensitive and crowd-pleasing blend of sports and romance.

With “Creed,” Ryan Coogler, the Oscar-nominated director and writer of “Sinners” and “Black Panther” made a bold and exciting early-career feature with a sequel to the “Rocky” movies. By focusing on the son of that character’s rival hoping to follow in his footsteps, he finds fresh perspective. A powerhouse performance from star Michael B. Jordan centers an exciting boxing story that builds real emotional heft in the drama between matches.

Last year’s Best Picture Oscar nominee “Nickle Boys,” based on the novel by Colson Whitehead, follows a boy mistakenly sent to a juvenile detention camp in the South during the 1960s. A story of struggle and perseverance, director RaMell Ross gives it a unique first-person perspective that matches its deeply empathetic storytelling with exciting filmmaking craft.

“Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the depth, creativity and impact of Black voices in film,” said Sarah Rutallie, Chief of Staff at SC4. “Through SC4 Cinema, we are proud to provide our campus and community with meaningful stories that inspire reflection, spark conversation and honor the cultural contributions that continue to shape our world.”

Film dates, showtimes and ticket information are available at www.sc4cinema.com. Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in this month-long celebration of powerful storytelling and cinematic excellence.

SC4 employees posing in SC4 cinema shirts at the SC4 cinema at sperrys lobby

SC4 and MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology Launch Agricultural Operations Certificate Program in Port Huron

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Collaboration Brings Career-Ready Agricultural Education to Southeast Michigan

Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology (MSU IAT) has signed an agreement with St. Clair County Community College (SC4) to offer the Agricultural Operations certificate program beginning Fall 2026. This collaboration provides world-class agricultural education to students in the greater Port Huron region.

Comprehensive Agricultural Education

Starting in Fall 2026, SC4 students will be able to pursue the Agricultural Operations certificate while working toward their associate degree, completing both credentials in just two years. The program provides students with a solid foundation in plant and soil science, precision agriculture, water management, entomology, plant pathology, and business management.

Students enrolled in the program will benefit from small class sizes and individualized instruction, with all MSU coursework delivered locally at SC4 or online. The curriculum includes 61 credits with a minimum of 34 MSU credits, 3-4 semesters of classroom instruction, and a required 480-hour professional internship experience.

Areas of study encompass farm management, agricultural water resources management, soil science, precision agriculture technologies, agricultural compliance and safety, and plant pathology. The program combines classroom theory with practical field laboratory experiences and real-world internships to prepare graduates for immediate employment in Michigan’s diverse agricultural sector.

“SC4 continues to expand its academic offerings to better serve the residents of our region, and we are pleased to collaborate with Michigan State University on the Agriculture Operations Certificate. Agriculture is a vital contributor to our local economy and way of life, making it especially meaningful for SC4 to support and strengthen agricultural education that meets regional workforce needs.” Kirk Kramer, SC4 President

Career Opportunities in Michigan’s $104 Billion Agricultural Economy

Graduates receive both an MSU IAT certificate and an associate degree from SC4, positioning them for diverse career opportunities in Michigan’s robust agricultural economy, which generates $104 billion annually and ranks second only to California in the number of agricultural commodities produced. Career paths include equipment retail sales and service, farm operations, crop production management, production service companies, and crop processing facilities.

The program also provides a seamless pathway for students interested in continuing their education, with graduates eligible to transfer to MSU to complete a related bachelor’s degree. This dual benefit offers students both immediate career readiness and long-term educational flexibility.

Benefits for Students and Community

The MSU IAT-SC4 agreement delivers significant value to students and the broader community. Students pay community college tuition rates for SC4 courses and MSU tuition rates only for MSU courses, making a world-class agricultural education more affordable than traditional four-year university attendance.

Students gain access to MSU’s extensive resources, including study abroad opportunities, student discounts, and university resources, while enjoying the supportive, student-focused environment of SC4. The program particularly benefits students who are first-generation college attendees, working professionals, or those seeking career changes in agriculture.

SC4’s strategic location in southeast Michigan provides unique advantages for agricultural education, with proximity to diverse farming operations, agricultural businesses, and food processing facilities throughout the region. SC4 success includes skill training as well as student transfer to university with the MSU path another opportunity for students.

“SC4 offered me a great opportunity to start my educational and collegiate athletic careers before transitioning to pursue my Agri-Business Management degree and play basketball for Coach Izzo at MSU”, said SC4 and MSU alum Matt VanDyk, a Vegetable Farmer from Imlay City. “Having the Agricultural Operations certificate program would have really enhanced my experience. I wish it had been available 13 years ago, but it is awesome to see MSU and SC4 working together to prepare students in the Thumb of Michigan for Agriculture careers.”     

About the Institute of Agricultural Technology

The MSU IAT’s mission is to make agricultural education accessible and affordable across Michigan. MSU and SC4 will build on successful collaborations with ten other community colleges throughout the state. Founded in 1894, the Institute of Agricultural Technology has been developing career-ready graduates through innovative, hands-on educational programs for over 130 years.

The MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology empowers students to succeed in diverse industries within the agricultural sector, from farming to food processing to forestry. The institute offers various certificate programs across multiple locations statewide through partnerships with community colleges and industry leaders, with most students completing their certificates in 3-4 academic semesters.

Currently, MSU IAT serves approximately 320 students, with 173 enrolled at the East Lansing campus and 147 at partner community college locations. The institute operates partnerships with community colleges including Bay College, Delta College, Glen Oaks Community College, Kellogg Community College, Monroe County Community College, Montcalm Community College, Muskegon Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College, St. Clair County Community College, and West Shore Community College. For more information, visit www.canr.msu.edu/iat.

SC4 Celebration Commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

St. Clair County Community College invites all members of the community to join in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the production of “The Color of Freedom.” This free, family-friendly celebration will portray several riveting vignettes that will capture significant moments that have impacted the lives of African Americans.

“It is a profound honor to commemorate the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Kirk Kramer, President of St. Clair County Community College. “Dr. King devoted his life to advancing peace, freedom, and equality, challenging us to rise to our highest ideals. SC4 is honored to welcome back Mrs. Debra McNair as she directs the powerful stage production, The Color of Freedom, which invites us to reflect on our shared past, confront our present, and envision a future defined by unity, justice, and collective progress.”

The Martin Luther King Jr. event at SC4 has been a celebratory event on campus for decades. SC4 serves the community through educational events such as this one to reflect, remember, and inspire.  This free event is open to all and will take place on Monday, January 19, at 6 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre.

St Clair County Community College (SC4) was founded in 1923 and is the only public higher education institution in the thumb of Michigan. SC4 is a comprehensive community college that provides certificates and degrees for employable skills and college credits that can be transferred to a four-year college or university. The college provides collegiate arts and athletics for the area and has been an asset for students and the Port Huron community for over one hundred years.   

St. Clair County Community College Honors Tom Obee as 2025 Alumni of the Year

Port Huron, Mich.— The St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Board of Trustees has formally recognized Tom Obee as the 2025 SC4 Alumni of the Year, honoring his lifelong dedication to education, academic excellence, and service to the college and community.

Tom Obee began his academic journey at Port Huron Junior College, now St. Clair County Community College, in 1961. As a student, he distinguished himself as an honors scholar and campus leader, serving in student government, contributing as co-editor of the college newspaper, working as a student librarian, and earning membership in Phi Theta Kappa.

In 1963, Obee graduated as only the second student in the institution’s history to achieve a perfect 4.0 grade point average and was named Male Student of the Year. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Obee returned to SC4 in 1967 as an instructor and dedicated 45 years to the college as a professor of English and Philosophy. During his tenure, he inspired generations of students through his passion for teaching and commitment to academic rigor. He also served as the Phi Theta Kappa advisor at SC4 for 35 years, mentoring students and fostering academic achievement and leadership.

His contributions to teaching and student success have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Blessinger Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Distinguished Faculty Award, and the Phi Theta Kappa Alumnus Award.

Even in retirement, Obee remains actively engaged with the College and local community. He participates in retiree events, presents for the St. Clair Senior Study Group, serves as a lector at Holy Family Church, and shares his knowledge through a question-and-answer column focused on Catholic beliefs.

The SC4 Board of Trustees adopted the Resolution of Recognition on November 13, 2025, celebrating Tom Obee’s enduring impact on the college and recognizing him as a model alumnus whose legacy continues to shape the SC4 community.

St Clair County Community College (SC4) was founded in 1923 and is the only public higher education institution in the thumb of Michigan. SC4 is a comprehensive community college that provides certificates and degrees for employable skills and college credits that can be transferred to a four-year college or university. The college provides collegiate arts and athletics for the area and has been an asset for students and the Port Huron community for over one hundred years.