Category: Student success

Successful boutique law firm owner thankful for SC4 start

Successful law firm owner, venture capitalist, community volunteer and advocate, and St. Clair County Community College (SC4) alumnus Gerry Mason has made his mark in Michigan. 

Mason owns a boutique law firm and practices law throughout Michigan, often in joint ventures with significant law firms. He is also active in the areas of private equity investment, small business, venture capital, renewable energy and technology. He’s worked as a City of Detroit Recorder’s Court Law Clerk, as a Macomb County Law Clerk for the Hon. Pat M. Donofrio, and served as a Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Crawford, Roscommon and Macomb Counties. 

He’s a member of St. Clair Rotary Club (Past President); Salvation Army Advisory Board Vice Chairman; St. Clair Police Foundation Vice Chairman; State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly Vice Chairman; State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners Member; American Battery Technology Company Advisory Board Member; Voise Inc. Advisory Board Member—and much more.

His many accomplishments are the result of hard work, commitment and dedication to his goals and community. They also help highlight the critical role community colleges like SC4 can play in the educational journey of Michigan residents.

When Mason graduated from St. Clair High School in 1986, he initially enrolled at Michigan Technological University to be a geological engineer.

“I was not ready for a big university,” Mason said. “My dad thought that I should be an attorney and do political science as an undergraduate degree. My friends were at SC4 so I could get a ride. My mom took me to SC4 and enrolled me. Everyone at SC4 was warm and helpful. I loved it. It was college.”

While at SC4 from 1986-1988, Mason participated in student government. He also fully engaged in the classroom and benefitted from great professors and mentors.

“SC4 had excellent professors who cared about their students,” he said. “Harley Smith was great. He taught political science but never showed his views or any bias. He was always totally objective. Virginia Pillsbury taught German, but really she was teaching life. Haddock Snyder taught physics. Professor Snyder had tons of energy and made science fun. Calculus Professor Joe Delisa and I used to eat lunch together. I made friends with other professors like Bob Tansky. Great people.”

Mason transferred from SC4 to the University of Michigan on the advice of SC4 Professor Pillsbury. “All of my credits transferred, saving me $22,000 at that time,” Mason said.

He enrolled in the U-M College of Literature, Science and Art, majoring in political science and minoring in German, Russian and natural science. While there, Mason studied China under Professor Kenneth Lieberthal and spent a semester in the former Soviet Union. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1991 and then went on to enroll in law school at the Detroit College of Law, which became Michigan State University College of Law.

At MSU, Mason served as President of Student Government and Executive Lt. Governor of the American Bar Association, and graduated as Class President. According to Mason, law school challenged him in new ways.

“Law school was hard, fast and intense,” said Mason, who earned a juris doctorate in 1998. “You drank from a fire hose. A law degree teaches you how to think, and organize your oral and written arguments. I felt ready to take it on, though, thanks to the foundation I received at SC4, which made college fun, challenging and attainable.”

The college football, blues music and exercise fan has been putting his well-crafted thoughts to use and taking action ever since—and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

“I’d like to do more by way of venture capital/private equity collaborations as well as continue charity and community work,” Mason said. “I really want to give back to the practice of law, and I will continue to be an advocate for community colleges like SC4. SC4 gave me a great start to life that I could build upon. Academia can be elitist and exclusive. SC4 offers every student the opportunity to be more than they are and all that they hoped to be by laying the foundation for future opportunities.”

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.

New SC4, Wayne State partnership helps future engineers save time and money 

A new partnership between St. Clair County Community College (SC4) and Wayne State University will provide SC4 students with a seamless transfer pathway to Wayne State’s College of Engineering, strengthening the commitment of both institutions to prepare future leaders and innovators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for high tech, high skilled jobs.   

Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State in the following programs can now earn the majority of their core engineering courses as well as the bulk of their general education courses at SC4 before transferring on to Wayne State, where they must complete a minimum of 30 credits toward their degree.  

  • Biomedical engineering 
  • Chemical engineering 
  • Civil engineering 
  • Electrical/electronic engineering 
  • Industrial engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering  
  • Information technology 
  • Computer science  
  • Electrical/electronic engineering technology  
  • Electromechanical engineering technology  
  • Mechanical engineering technology  
  • Welding and metallurgical engineering technology   

SC4 students also can earn an Associate of Science degree along the way. 

The future-focused partnership comes as SC4 launches its STEM-based Challenger Learning Center in collaboration with Challenger Center and Unity in Learning, which consists of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Leslie Science & Nature Center, Yankee Air Museum and SC4.  

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers fun and unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents. 

“We know many SC4 students transfer on to earn four-year degrees and have gone on to lead in cutting-edge industries, but too many others lose interest in crucial STEM subjects or encounter barriers along the way,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, SC4 president. “We can do more to inspire, educate and prepare students. Our Challenger Learning Center will provide greater access and opportunity to STEM experiences, and this partnership with Wayne State will help students save on tuition costs and time as they pursue a bachelor’s degree from one of Michigan’s most innovative four-year institutions.” 

“The demand for talented and innovative professionals in the STEM fields has never been higher, particularly in Michigan which has the fourth-largest engineering workforce in the country,” said Farshad Fotouhi, dean of the Wayne State College of Engineering. “This partnership with SC4 will strengthen the pipeline of students looking to become leaders in the high-tech marketplace, not only in Southeast Michigan but globally as well.” 

The institutions announced the partnership April 29 during a Challenger Learning Center at SC4 launch event. 

Prospective students can learn more about and apply to St. Clair County Community College online. Contact the SC4 team with questions at starthere@sc4.edu or 810-989-5571, or schedule an advising appointment online. 

Students who need help transferring to Wayne State can contact the Transfer Student Success Center at transfer@wayne.edu; set up a virtual advising appointment online at tssc.youcanbook.me/ or visit TSSC.wayne.edu to live chat with advisers from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. 

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 opens early registration for Mission Lunar Quest

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) is pleased to launch its Challenger Learning Center website and announce early mission registration opportunities for Michigan and Ontario students and educators, businesses and corporations, and community members.

SC4—in partnership with the Challenger Center, a nonprofit science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education organization, and in collaboration with Unity in Learning, which includes the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Leslie Science & Nature Center and the Yankee Air Museum—will officially launch its Challenger Learning Center on the College’s campus in Spring 2022.

The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed, STEM experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st century skills. Challenger Center and its network of Challenger Learning Centers aim to ignite a passion for learning in students and open their eyes to new possibilities for the future. The Center offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for learners of all ages and unparalleled programming for 5th-8th grade learners (adaptable for 8th grade+) that aligns with national science standards.

Though the Challenger Learning Center at SC4 won’t officially launch until Spring 2022, early registration for the first space mission offering, Lunar Quest, is now open. Lunar Quest takes crew members, serving in a variety of STEM-based roles, to the Moon in search of a long-term human habitat. It is the first of four space missions that will take flight in the Challenger Learning Center at SC4. Half day (min. 18 guests/max. 35 guests) and full-day experiences (min. 36 guests/max. 70 guests) are available, and pricing varies based on mission experience.

“We’re thrilled to launch this website and open registration for those interested in reserving a mission experience,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College. “Our nation needs future leaders who are adept at understanding and solving the challenging problems of today and the future. The Challenger Learning Center at SC4 will help support STEM education, exploration and innovation with experiences that go far beyond an everyday field trip, outing or corporate training session.”

Additional opportunities such as a Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will be available beginning in Summer 2022.

“We’re incredibly excited to see the momentum continue to build for the Challenger Learning Center at SC4,” said Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “We’re hard at work building the Spacecraft and preparing Mission Control to welcome students and community members to fly our newest space missions that we developed in partnership with NASA. The countdown has started and we can’t wait to open the doors of this new Center in 2022.”

Added Mel Drumm, president and CEO of Unity in Learning, “The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is delighted to collaborate with SC4 upon the opening of the new Challenger Center. This new informal learning experience will immerse each participant into life-like simulations well beyond anything previously available in Southeast Michigan. As the newest member of the region’s Unity in Learning collaborative, the Challenger Center will join with three regional science, nature and aviation organizations to become the region’s newest destination for hands-on discovery, exploration of the natural world and experiences that take flight.” 

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger accident by the crew’s families, who were firmly committed to carrying on the spirit of their loved ones and continuing the Challenger crew’s educational mission. Challenger Center and its network of Challenger Learning Centers have reached more than 5.5 million students worldwide.

For more information and to book a Lunar Quest mission, visit challenger.sc4.edu.

New nursing scholarship created in memory of Marilynn Campbell

The St. Clair County Community College Foundation (SC4 Foundation) and the Community Foundation are honored to work with Herbert Campbell to honor his late wife, Marilynn Campbell, through a new nursing scholarship.

“I funded this nursing scholarship in loving memory of my wife of 70 years,” said Herbert Campbell. “She was a passionate believer in the value of nurses who cared for patients with compassion and professionalism.”

Marilynn was a graduate of Port Huron High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She also graduated from the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York City before marrying Herbert. Marilynn raised three wonderful children with Herbert and lived up to her No. 1 goal of providing love and care for her family.

When her children grew up, Marilynn had a strong desire to become a registered nurse. She enrolled at Port Huron Junior College (now St. Clair County Community College), received her associate degree in nursing in 1973 and became a registered nurse.

Marilynn used her nursing degree to work at Port Huron Hospital and served the community for several years caring for mostly pediatric patients.

“She was soft spoken, but so caring and gracious,” Campbell said. “It would make Marilynn so happy to be part of helping students become nurses. I appreciate the SC4 Foundation and their partnership with the Community Foundation for making the process of opening this charitable fund so easy.”

The Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will help her legacy of being a devoted wife, mother and loving caregiver live on for future generations of nurses.

“We are grateful to Herb for creating the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Scholarship in honor of Marilynn,” said Dr. Deborah Snyder, SC4 president. “It’s clear she had a profound impact in the lives of family members, friends and strangers alike. This scholarship will enable her legacy to live on through the life and work of SC4 nursing alumni for years to come.”

Marilynn Campbell in a nursing uniform

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Herbert and help customize the ideal way in which he wanted to give back to the college and honor his wife’s legacy of caring for others,” said William Oldford, president of the SC4 Foundation. “The fact that he trusts the SC4 Foundation with her legacy is a true honor.”

SC4 nursing students can apply for the Marilynn S. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship beginning in 2022. Selection will be based on financial need with a preference for students who reside in St. Clair County.

The SC4 Foundation connects donors with opportunities to support St. Clair County Community College in whatever way fits their interests. Whether it’s supporting students, opportunities on campus or enhancements of learning spaces, the SC4 Foundation is proud to support our community’s college.

St. Clair County Community College and the Community Foundation bring to the area a combined 175 years of service to the community in education and philanthropy. Since 2018, the collaborative philanthropic partnership between the organizations allows donors to have an even greater impact on both SC4 students and the community.

More information about the SC4 Scholarship and Foundation.

College celebrates new edition of ‘Patterns’ magazine

St. Clair County Community College recently released the 63rd edition of Patterns magazine, Michigan’s oldest literary and arts publication aimed at showcasing student writing talent and works of art.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020-21 academic year, traditional activities surrounding the creation and publication of the magazine were delayed.

“Patterns is an opportunity to celebrate being creative and to recognize the unique talents of our next generation of artists,” said Sarah Flatter, professor of fine arts at the college. “We’re excited to honor students and their success while at SC4.”

A digital version of Patterns is available on our website at sc4.edu/patterns.

The following students received awards:

Special honors

  • Eleanor Mathews Award, literature — Makenna Joppich
  • Patrick Bourke Award, visual art — Brandi Schmitz

Essays

  • Kathleen Nickerson Award — Thomas Short for “A Father’s Love: Rejection from the Beloved”
  • Second-place — Samantha Kicinski for “Another Day at the Office”
  • Third-place — Rebekah Delmedico for “Advertisements and Persuasion: Manipulating our Wants into Needs”

Poetry

  • Blanche Redman Award, — Lindsey Sobkowski for “Rainy Day Villanelle”
  • Second-place — Makenna Joppich for “Living Room Windows”
  • Third-place — Patricia Jo Bowman for “Eli”

Short stories

  • Richard Colwell Award, — Emily Kean for “Pareidolia”
  • Second-place — Natalya Reid for “She Strings the Beads to Make a Brighter Day”
  • Third-place — Makenna Joppich for “Brother”

Visual Art

  • First-place — Skylar Aleman for “New View”
  • Second-place — Doug Penrod for “Strange Medicine”
  • Third-place — Heather Brassfield for “Snowy Dirt Road”

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

Literary Selections of Merit

  • Makenna Joppich for “Marred Sky”
  • Zachary Kerhoulas for “Autumn Leaves”
  • Stacy Nichols for “Dinner Bell”
  • William Patterson for “Morning Coffee”
  • Jacqueline Wahl for “The Ruby-Eyed Man”
  • Avery Westbrook for “Espresso Express”

Visual Art Selections of Merit

  • Heather Brassfield for “Cades Cove Barn”
  • Miranda Benner for “Wagon Wheel”
  • Hannah Buckley for “Morning at 40th Street Pond”
  • Alicia Fortuna for “Face off”
  • Vera Klimovich for “Daydreamer”
  • Doug Penrod for “Marine City Throw Back”
  • Brandi Schmitz for “Lucy in the Sky”

Production of Patterns was made possible by the financial support from St. Clair County Community College and SC4 Friends of the Arts.

SC4 campus culture and interaction helped alumnus Christian Jones grow and thrive

Driving through the neighborhood he serves as Executive Director of the Franklin Avenue Mission on the east side of Flint, Rev. Christian Jones sees the immediate realities of loss of jobs and lack of food that happened when the city lost its auto industry employers over the past few decades.

“There are families – men, women, and children – living in absolute, destitute poverty,” Jones said. “Homes are abandoned, burned out, and in some cases even lack running water. If the water is running, there’s little motivation for owners to renovate the pipes to mitigate the lead exposure of their tenants. Most of the schools have been boarded up and abandoned, too.”

The Franklin Avenue Mission serves this community through three key areas: The Franklin Avenue Diner, which served warm, well-balanced meals twice a week during the pandemic (a total of nearly 40,000 so far); the Clothes Closet and Personals Closet, which provide clothing and hygienic products to those who can’t afford them; and the new Luke Clinic will open this fall, providing free mobile prenatal and antenatal health services to mothers trapped in poverty.

Jones’ faith led him to devote his time and energy to the underserved and often forgotten residents of Flint. But his journey began over a decade ago on the campus of St. Clair County Community College.

“I started at SC4 in 2010,” Jones explained. “My father is a criminal justice professor at the college, which played a key factor in my decision to start there. It unquestionably made the most economic sense, and it allowed me to complete my associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees for a fraction of the cost of many of my friends.”

Jones has many great memories of his time at SC4 that go well beyond saving money, though.

“Being a student at SC4 was probably the most important and formative two years of my life,” he said. “It’s where I matured from being a high school kid into becoming an adult member of the community. I met my wife as a student at SC4. Some of the closest friends I’ve ever had were introduced to me as a student and through student activities.”

“I had some anxiety at first as I wrestled with the fact than most of my lifelong friends immediately dove into the idealized university model,” he continued. “But when I realized that many of my new SC4 classmates were experiencing the same anxiety, it created such a beautiful environment that it allowed me to form some of the closest friendships I’ve ever had. It drew us together; we organically became family, and supported each other’s dreams, goals, and aspirations in a way I’d never experienced before, and rarely since.”

Jones spent much of his time at SC4 in the Fine Arts Building, participating in The SC4 Players and the student drama club, WSGR radio, and the music club. He also spent many hours in the piano practice rooms, both playing music and using them for studying.

“I think I was labeled as ‘general studies,’ or something like that,” Jones laughed. “But I primarily loaded my schedule with English, theater, and (SC4 Professor) Scott Fernandez.”

He has fond memories for many of the instructors and staff members in the FAB, whether he had them as a teacher or not.

“Stewart Reed, David Korff, Holly Pennington, Lisa Sturtridge, Karen Jezewski, Al Matthews, Paul Miller, Gary Schmitz, Ethan Flick.” Jones paused as he listed some of those who influenced him as a student. “And Alfred Gay, who happened to be an elder at my church growing up. They all passionately fought for and supported the growth of everyone who stepped foot inside that building and their classrooms.”

One instructor was particularly important to Jones, though: Tom Kephart, who taught acting, improvisation, and oral interpretation courses and was the artistic director for The SC4 Players during Jones’ time at SC4.

“He was single-handedly the most important instructor I had across all of my collegiate studies,” Jones explained. “He graciously led by example, taking interpretive risks, showing genuine vulnerability, and giving unwavering support for his students as he challenged us to do the same. He instilled more confidence, empathy, and appreciation for the human experience in his students than any other class I took elsewhere.”

Jones graduated from SC4 in 2012 and was the commencement speaker that year. He transferred to Oakland University, where he finished his Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2014, then moved on to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he received his Master of Divinity degree in 2019.

“When I was placed in Flint after graduating from Concordia Seminary, my wife Krysti and I decided that if we wanted to make an impact here, we were going to stay for the long haul,” Jones said. “Some pastors talk about becoming mega-preacher millionaires, which is foolishness and is not Christianity. As a pastor, I cherish the times when families invite me into their realities to weep, to pray, and to sing songs with them. There is no greater privilege I’ve ever had than to simply be called someone’s pastor.”

Jones has even bigger plans for the Franklin Avenue Mission, including an early childhood education center, a low-income laundromat, and eventually expansion into Flint’s north side. They’re ambitious and service-centered goals, that all began when he graduated from St. Clair High School and walked onto the SC4 campus in Port Huron.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today if dedicated teachers hadn’t put forth their very best personal efforts to see their students grow into game-changers in their communities,” Jones said.

For more information about the Franklin Avenue Mission, visit their website at franklinavemission.com.