Southwestern Michigan College celebrated its 59th Commencement ceremonies Saturday with outdoor graduations in Alumni Plaza on the Dowagiac campus, featuring messages of perseverance, growth and community from two student speakers representing the Class of 2026.
Chloe Itimu, who plans to pursue a career in pediatrics, addressed graduates from the School of Arts, Science and Business and the School of Advanced Technology during the morning ceremony.
Itimu described SMC as “a place of growth,” reflecting on the challenges students overcame to reach graduation.
Originally from Malawi in southeastern Africa, Itimu said adjusting to life in the United States was difficult, but credited the SMC community for helping her stay connected to her culture while building confidence and opportunity.
She shared a personal story about nursing a struggling plant back to health in her dorm room, using it as a symbol for the student experience.
“Every little bit of effort mattered,” Itimu said. “Growth is inevitable when you put in the work and place yourself in the right environment.”
During the afternoon ceremony, Kaylee Bradshaw of Hartford spoke to graduates from the School of Arts, Science and Business and the School of Nursing and Health Services.
Bradshaw, who plans to continue studying marketing at Western Michigan University, reflected on an emotional and chaotic first day as a commuter student, when she misplaced her keys and had to call her father for help.
She said finding community through the AKO Bible Study Club transformed her college experience and helped her overcome feelings of isolation.
“At SMC, we are known, supported and truly cared for,” Bradshaw said, praising faculty and staff for investing in students both academically and personally.
Bradshaw encouraged classmates to embrace uncertainty about the future and remember the determination they developed during college.
“The story of your life will be written with the ink of your actions,” she said. “What kind of story will you write?”
SMC President and CEO Dr. Klint Pleasant introduced the student speakers during the ceremonies.
Chief Academic and Assurance Officer Dr. Jeff Freels also recognized students graduating from associate degree programs with perfect 4.0 grade-point averages: Kaylee Bradshaw, Kaitlin Ferrell, Nevaeh Hemminger, Amelia Hurst, Isabell Ramsey, Emil Rydin, Austin McCreary and Gwendolyn Sexton.
