Category: General

SC4 alumna thankful for SC4 experience in electronics, robotics, coding, welding and more

Like many middle school students, Dakota Makela didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up. What she did know was that she wanted to “create cool gadgets and help people fix issues.”

Makela enrolled in the Blue Water Middle College and St. Clair County Community College (SC4) as a high school freshman in 2014, choosing an engineering technology/mechatronics track that would allow her to innovate and solve challenges.

“SC4 gave me a good idea of what to expect in the field,” said Makela, who was homeschooled until enrolling in BWMC. “The classes were set up to be very hands-on and allowed me to get experience in electronics, robotics, coding, wiring, troubleshooting, drafting and welding by teaching me the basics and then allowing me to test out my ideas in the lab.”

She added, “SC4 helped prepare me a lot starting out. My teachers were incredibly helpful and introduced me to the culture of engineering through their own experiences working in production environments.”

Makela graduated from SC4 in 2018 with an associate degree in mechatronics before transferring to Michigan Technological University to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with a concentration on photonics.

She currently works as an operator controls electrical engineer at Caterpillar and is pleased with where her career path has thus far led her.

“I enjoy being able to continuously learn new things in my workplace,” Makela said. “Working at Caterpillar, there’s a lot of different components working together to get a functional machine and a lot of different people focused on each one. Being at a large company enables me to reach out to people who are masters at what they do and learn more about how things work by talking to them.”

And she credits SC4 for helping her get there.

“Overall, I don’t think I’d be where I’m at today if it wasn’t for SC4,” she said.

SC4 offers a wide array of courses, programs and transfer pathways for students interested in pursuing careers in engineering, engineering technology, electronics, engineering graphics/CAD, mechatronics, precision machining, and welding and fabrication. For a current schedule of offerings—including fast-path classes beginning Oct. 16—visit sc4.edu/schedule and apply at sc4.edu/apply.

Betty M. (Large) Raetzel named recipient of 2023 Distinguished Alumni of the Year award

Port Huron resident Betty M. (Large) Raetzel was named the recipient of the 2023 St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Distinguished Alumni of the Year award.

Raetzel earned an Associate of Arts from the College—then known as Port Huron Junior College—in 1945. While a student, she participated in the College’s Assembly Board, the International Relations Club and as a Triton yearbook staff member. 

“I fondly remember studying in the Maccabees building with primarily female classmates, as the majority of male students were proudly serving our country in World War II,” Raetzel said. “I feel very fortunate to have attended the College and credit it and its educators for my professional success in life.” 

Upon graduating, she went on to own and operate a successful family retail shoe business with her husband in downtown Port Huron for 50 years. Throughout the years, Raetzel has demonstrated positive, unwavering support and advocacy for the College in the community. 

“The College is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023 and honoring an alumna who graduated 78 years ago,” said Dr. Karen Niver, chair of the SC4 Board of Trustees. “That’s pretty remarkable and speaks to our rich history of successful alumni and our mission of providing access to quality higher education. Betty has given back to this College and its students in many ways over the years and we are thrilled to honor her legacy.” 

SC4 has recognized a Distinguished Alumni of the Year since 1986. Former recipient Randy Fernandez (2018) was present at a reception honoring Raetzel on Thursday and offered his congratulations. 

“I’m very happy to be here to honor Betty Raetzel as the 2023 SC4 Distinguished Alumni of the Year,” said Fernandez. “I’ve known the family for many years with Raetzel’s Shoe Store in downtown Port Huron. It’s just an honor and privilege to be here to honor such a special alumna who was in one of our beloved College’s earliest graduating classes.”

Betty M. (Large) Raetzel pictured with "Smile and the whole world smiles with you" quote.

Pictured at top in back row from left to right: Acting President/Chief Operating Officer Kirk Kramer, SC4 Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Karen Niver, Dennis Raetzel. Betty M. (Large) Raetzel pictured with award.

SC4 names wheelchair basketball head coach and disability resources specialist

Jordan Scheidecker—an adaptive sports and disabilities support expert, three-time national championship wheelchair basketball player and national championship coach—has been named wheelchair basketball head coach and disability resources specialist at St. Clair County Community College (SC4).

Scheidecker brings to SC4 hands-on experience planning and implementing high-quality adaptive sports programs and experiences. He also brings recruitment- and diversity, equity and inclusion-based expertise and knowledge. His past roles include transition and outreach specialist at the Center for Students with Disabilities, graduate assistant of Adaptive Athletics, and assistant director of Wheelchair Basketball Camp, all at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

A disability awareness speaker who travels throughout the Midwest, Scheidecker earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jordan to campus,” said SC4 Chief Diversity Officer Jessica Brown. “His diverse combination of work and athletics experiences uniquely positions him to lead and support students on the court and across our campus. As one of just a few adaptive sports teams in Michigan—and the only community college in the nation—SC4 and its students will benefit greatly by having Jordan as part of our team.”

“I’m really excited to join the SC4 community and create greater awareness, participation in and support for adaptive sports and students with disabilities,” Scheidecker said. “We want to be a place that helps people find success and ultimately move on to where they want to go, athletically and academically. Through my roles at SC4, I look forward to doing just that by advocating for more awareness, leading and supporting students, and providing information from the perspective of a person with disabilities to an able-bodied, diverse population.”

Scheidecker will start in his full-time capacity in late October, though he’ll be on campus prior to that for the Wolverine Invitational and adaptive sports clinics to teach individuals how to play Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the SC4 Fieldhouse.

Committed 2023 Wolverine Invitational teams thus far include top teams from across the U.S. and Canada:

  • University of Michigan (NWBA Adult D2)
  • LWSRA Hawks (NAWBL) – Chicago
  • Kitchener Spinners (CWBL D1) – Ontario
  • London Forest City Flyers (CWBL D2 / NWBA Adult D3) – Ontario
  • Brampton Rockets (CWBL D2) – Ontario
  • University of Arizona (NWBA Intercollegiate Women)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University (NWBA Intercollegiate Men)
  • University of Wisconsin Whitewater (NWBA Intercollegiate Men)

With a full tournament schedule forthcoming, the University of Michigan tips off against the University of Arizona at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and the championship game is set for Sunday, Oct. 1, at noon (12:20 p.m. tip off planned). Additionally, SC4’s new wheelchair basketball team will take on Michigan State University on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 12:30 p.m. in the Wolverine Invitational’s Emerging Teams bracket.

“This is high-level competition,” Scheidecker said. “The caliber of athletes is impressive and something the entire region should get excited about and attend. I’m looking forward to it!”

The co-ed 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. For more information about joining the wheelchair basketball team at SC4, visit sc4.edu/campus-life/athletics/athlete-interest-form/.

To learn more about the Wolverine Invitational at SC4—including ticket information and how to volunteer at the event—visit sc4.edu/wolverine.

Exhibit to showcase faculty talent and passion

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) opens its annual faculty art showcase, “Collectively Independent,” on Monday, Sept. 18, in the College’s Fine Arts Gallery.

The showcase is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 20. It features thought-provoking pieces on various subject matter in a wide array of mediums. Each piece on display is an original work from faculty members who lead courses in graphic design, art history, photography and more.

Participating faculty include:

  • Sarah Flatter, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Brian Kovach, MFA, Art
  • Jacqueline Mahannah, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Jason Palmer, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Mark Rummel, BFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Elizabeth Sevick, MFA, Art
  • Alan Vidali, MFA, Art/Graphic Design
  • Jacob Vinson, MFA, Art

“This annual exhibit is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the very talented art and design faculty here at SC4,” says Sarah Flatter, professor of fine arts. “This exhibit is one of my favorites, because it gives faculty members the opportunity to show off their talents to a wider audience. It is a great show of work and worth checking out!”

From sculptures and photographs to illustrations and more, the exhibit offers a unique opportunity for SC4 students and community members to observe the artistic interests and expertise of SC4 instructors.

For the most current list of upcoming arts and other events at SC4, visit sc4.edu/events/.

SC4 offers a wide array of courses and programs for students interested in pursuing the arts. For a current schedule of offerings—including fast-path classes beginning Sept. 18 and Oct. 16—visit sc4.edu/schedule and apply at sc4.edu/apply/.

Pieces from the 2022 showcase are pictured above.