Author: Mark Rummel

Nationally acclaimed performer to take the SC4 stage Nov. 16

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will welcome nationally acclaimed acoustic singer and guitarist Cliff Erickson to campus for performances at noon and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

Erickson—a longtime performer who’s opened for top industry icons such as Ringo Starr, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys and Wynona Judd—brings to the stage original works along with passionate renditions of classic cover tunes.

His two albums, “Rendezvous” and “Acquired Taste,” released by Accurate Records, capture the essence of acoustic songwriting. Sales of his Christmas album, “The Spirit of Christmas,” released in 2005, raised thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Nov. 16 Cliff Erickson concerts are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. For the most current list of upcoming events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 to open traveling Detroit Historical Society ‘WWII Propaganda Posters’ exhibit Nov. 6

St. Clair County Community College’s (SC4) Fine Arts Gallery will soon offer an unforgettable journey back in time with a traveling “WWII Propaganda Posters” exhibit from the Detroit Historical Society.
 
The exhibit opens on Monday, Nov. 6, with a ceremony at 6 p.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre and Gallery featuring SC4 history professors Scott Fernandez and Patricia Frank. The exhibit is open for viewing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 8, with closure dates Nov. 22-24. 
 
Posters included in the exhibit highlight key messaging by U.S. Government departments at the time, reflecting themes such as military and nursing recruitment, patriotism, conservation of resources and security. They also highlight the works of specific period cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists and portraitists.
 
“We’re thrilled to bring this exhibit to our community,” said SC4 Chief Academic Officer Ethan Flick. “These posters—a primary communication tool long before digital screens and social media platforms existed—help us explore the notion of propaganda and provide a glimpse into a pivotal time in our nation’s history. We look forward to welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to this exhibit.”
 
“WWII Propaganda Posters” is free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed.
 
For more information and the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events/. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

Above posters are part of the Detroit Historical Society’s “WWII Propaganda Posters” exhibit at SC4 beginning Nov. 6. 

SC4 to present ‘KODACHROME’ by Adam Szymkowicz, Nov. 2-4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) thespians will take the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre stage Nov. 2-4 as they present “KODACHROME” by Adam Szymkowicz.

“KODACHROME,” a “play about love, nostalgia, the seasons and how we learn to say goodbye,” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (concordtheatricals.com). Performances are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“Being able to join the wonderful tradition of theater at SC4 is a true joy and an honor. Over the years, I have had the privilege of attending several top-notch productions at the College,” said James McCulloch, SC4 theater director. “For this production, we have a talented cast of students who are going to be storytellers on the stage. Adam Szymkowicz´s new play takes us to those beautiful and bittersweet moments in life. Audience members will recognize themselves and see their lives onstage in the stories of the folks who live in Colchester. The play really celebrates how life is made up of these wondrous moments, and I believe audience members will be truly impacted by the moving and beautiful scenes.”

“Kodachrome” performances are free as an SC4 Community Arts offering to encourage and support the arts in our community. No tickets are needed. SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre seats 295. For more information and the most current list of upcoming events, visit sc4.edu/events. Please note that additional programming may be added and event information may change.

View image pdf here.

Alumni Spotlight: Mike Baysdell

Current or most recent title and employer?
Director of K-12 Relations at Macomb Community College

How did SC4 help prepare you?
The April before my senior year of high school, Michigan Dual Enrollment legislation was passed. I took five classes through SC4 at the Sanilac Career Center extension center, and I earned 17 credits, which transferred to Alma College. Along with one additional guest student course in 1998, I managed to graduate from Alma in three years with a double-major. I then earned my master’s degree and teaching certification by age 22 and worked 21 years for Davison Community Schools before accepting my current role at Macomb Community College. I also taught as an adjunct professor for 13 years at Saginaw Valley State University, and those SC4 classes provided considerable content knowledge that helped me do my job.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I am now in a position where I can use my experience as a dual enrollment student and background in higher ed to help students achieve even more than I did. Students starting their DE experience at a younger age can take up to 10 classes, complete the Michigan Transfer Agreement, and even complete an associate degree–before leaving high school.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
Transferred to Alma College, where I earned a B.A. in Political Science and History (all three dual enrollment classes in these subjects transferred as credit within the majors). I also earned my master’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan. As a proud SC4 alum, I really need to reverse transfer my Alma credits and earn that associate from SC4.