Category: Beyond the classroom

SC4 adds adaptive sports, wheelchair basketball team to its athletic offerings

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to announce the launch of a wheelchair basketball team beginning in the fall 2023 semester.

The SC4 wheelchair basketball team is open to SC4 students and community members with disabilities or those who are able-bodied and passionate about wheelchair basketball, with priority given to students enrolled at SC4. Those interested in joining the wheelchair basketball team for 2023-24 should visit sc4.edu/athletics, send an email to mjwhittredge@sc4.edu or contact the Athletics Department at 810-989-5670 with questions. 

This co-ed team brings collegiate athletic offerings at SC4 to 16 teams, joining opportunities in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, dance, Esports, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. Its addition makes SC4 a leader in adaptive sports offerings among colleges and universities in Michigan.

“Our Skippers Athletics program continues to grow and flourish, and the addition of adaptive sports at SC4 is a significant step forward in creating a more inclusive and diverse campus community,” said SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos. “We’re thrilled to offer this new opportunity for both athletes and fans.”

Last fall, talented wheelchair basketball teams from around the Midwest and Canada converged at SC4 for an action-packed weekend of wheelchair basketball. Hosted by the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness department in conjunction with SC4, the Wolverine Invitational marked the second edition of the event and kicked off the second competitive season of wheelchair basketball for the University of Michigan.

This year, SC4’s wheelchair basketball team plans to schedule exhibition contests and games as part of the inaugural season. The team is also working to participate as part of the Wolverine Invitational, which is scheduled to return to the SC4 Fieldhouse this fall, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. 

“The opportunity to host the Wolverine Invitational right here on our own campus with high-caliber collegiate athletes from institutions such as the University of Michigan is extremely exciting,” Vos said. “We’ll provide more information on game schedules and more as soon as details are finalized.”   

Alumni Spotlight: Holly Koglin

Current or most recent title and employer?
Finance Manager at Dick Huvaere’s Richmond CDJR

How did SC4 help prepare you?
Prior to SC4, I was a high school grad who was unsure of what I wanted to do in terms of my career. I felt extremely overwhelmed not knowing what I was passionate about and how I would be able to apply myself to the world in order to succeed. I felt there were too many options and not enough time to decide. SC4 helped me narrow down what interests I had and find a career path in which I was going to flourish. I was able to gain a better understanding of my strengths, weaknesses and passions. I feel extremely thankful for my decision in going to SC4 and I still reflect on my time spent there, especially all the amazing professors I met along the way who really inspired me.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
What I love most is that I’m able to love my career. Not many people are able to say they love their job or coworkers, so I feel very grateful that I’m able to be one of the lucky ones who really does. I’m able to truly be myself in my environment and do something that I’m passionate about each and every day. It’s all a dream!

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After SC4, I transferred to Oakland University. There, I earned my bachelor’s degree in management. After graduating from Oakland University, I decided to further my education at Central Michigan University and earned my MBA in project management.

Alumni Spotlight: Emily Puzan

Current or most recent title and employer?
Family nurse practitioner, Scheurer Health, Bad Axe location

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 helped prepare me for my amazing career as it was the foundation of my nursing profession. Through great leaders and excellent education, I was able to continue to pursue advanced degrees to be able to benefit my community. The support I received from my nursing instructors was unprecedented.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I love helping a varied diversity of patients at different times in their health journeys, from chronic conditions to acute visits, first days of life to the last. Providing the best patient-focused, compassionate care during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I was able to, after obtaining my ADN, transfer and complete my BSN at the University of Michigan. From there, I completed my MSN at Spring Arbor University. I am currently working on my DNP at Kent State University. This path has allowed me to be able to have a family while also continuing to immerse myself in the learning necessary to provide competent patient care. I am looking forward to implementing my DNP project in my practice as well as seeing it impact and benefit other aspects of patient care as well. 

SC4 Retirees Association raises $23,127 for Scholarship Fund

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Port Huron Junior College/St. Clair County Community College (1923-2023), the SC4 Retirees Association has raised funds to establish a commemorative tree to recognize those PHJC/SC4 employees who worked a minimum of 10 years and provide continuous support for the SC4 Retirees Scholarship Fund. The SC4 Retirees Scholarship Fund awards two scholarships annually to deserving students.
 
The tree, themed “Honoring the Past 100 Years ~ Looking to the Future,” was dedicated on May 5 in SC4’s College Center Building. It features 132 leaves purchased by former College employees to commemorate their, a family member’s or friend’s employment at the College, representing staff from 1923 to the present.
 
Eleven former SC4 retirees donated a total of $10,000 to cover the cost of the tree and start-up costs. A total of $23,127 was raised from the selling of the leaves and remaining start-up funding.
 
“This ongoing project will help sustain funding for the SC4 Retirees Scholarship Fund for years to come,” said Cindy Rourke, with the SC4 Retirees Association. “It symbolizes the retirees’ interest in paying it forward to future students of SC4.” 
 
Individuals may still purchase leaves throughout the year with placement on the tree annually in July. For more information, contact the SC4 Retirees at SC4Retirees19232023@gmail.com.