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SWIC releases fall 2019 dean’s list

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The following is a list of full- and part-time students on the Southwestern Illinois College Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 Semester.

This list includes full-time students who completed 12 or more semester credits during the semester and part-time students who completed six or more semester credits during the semester while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown:
SWIC Fall 2019 Dean’s List

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

Tech Ed students win DOD competition

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A team of Southwestern Illinois College students who captured gold medals at the national SkillsUSA competition earlier this year also won a Department of Defense Advanced Manufacturing contest in Danville, Virginia recently. From left, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Director A. Adele Ratliff, SWIC student Gavin Becherer of Troy, Precision Machining Technology Instructor Dave Berry, students Connor Braasch of Troy and Connor Barnard of Godfrey, and PMT Instructor Jerry Bonifield show off the $2,500 prize money they won. 

The competition, known as the Next Generation Manufacturing Challenge Series, was developed by Project MFG, the Department of Defense, HAAS CNC and NIMS. Project MFG, promotes the value of a career in the manufacturing trades and accelerates new employees into the workforce. It elevates the prestige of these careers. Also, it aligns industry and defense requirements, educational programs, and commercial capabilities and capacities through private-public partnerships. The two-day competition consisted of 5 Axis machining, programming, and scheduling and resource management.

For more information about the SWIC Precision Machining Technology program visit swic.edu/pmt.

SWIC Students attend annual cyber conference

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A group of Southwestern Illinois College Cybersecurity and Networking students attended the fifth annual STLCyberCon held recently at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. From left, front row, students included Michael Agne of Belleville, Alan Winters of Granite City, and Marc Ellington of O’Fallon; back row, Roy Frazier of Belleville, Jason Gnann of Maryville, Jacob Cook of O’Fallon, Parker Wrobbel of Highland, Terrence Barrett II of Edwardsville, Shane Banks of Scott Air Force Base, Kristin Puls of Belleville, and Program Coordinator Matt Swinford of Collinsville.

The conference provided a forum for cybersecurity practitioners, academics, researchers and students to interact. Visitors also had the chance to listen to presentations from some of the leading voices in cybersecurity. In addition, the conference included a Career Expo with major employers seeking to fill cybersecurity and information technology positions. SWIC offers a Cybersecurity Specialist certificate and a Cybersecurity and Networking degree.

For details, visit: swic.edu/cybersecurity.

SWIC Tech Ed students win medals at the National SkillsUSA Competition

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Southwestern Illinois College Technical Education students brought home gold medals in Automated Manufacturing from the National SkillsUSA Competition in Louisville, Kentucky – the ninth year in a row that SWIC has earned medals at the event.   

“Once again, our talented Precision Machining Technology students are national champions,” said SWIC Industrial Technology Coordinator Mark Bosworth. “The talent that comes out of this program is just amazing to watch. Our students have won 10 national medals in nine years.”

SWIC 2019 SkillsUSA gold medal Automated Manufacturing team includes:

  • Connor Barnard of Alton
  • Gavin Becherer of Troy
  • Connor Braasch of Troy

  Other SWIC students who competed at SkillsUSA Nationals include:

  • Bryce Dickenson of Granite City – Welding  
  • Clayton Lents of Waterloo – Mechatronics
  • Jonathan Lunk of Waterloo – Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 
  • Tom Petroski of St. Jacob – CNC Turning  
  • Mike Torre of Highland – CNC Milling   
  • Blake Schuette of Alton – CNC Technician   
  • Nicholas Wittenauer of Red Bud – Mechatronics

SkillsUSA is a national technical education organization that partners educators, employers and students to teach greater skills to Americans, according to its website. The SkillsUSA Championships are competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.

For more information about SWIC Technical Education programs, visit swic.edu/tech-ed.

Photo caption: The SWIC students in the first place Automated Manufacturing team include, left to right, Connor Barnard of Alton, Gavin Becherer and Connor Braasch, both of Troy.

SWIC releases summer 2019 grad list

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     The following is a list of Southwestern Illinois College students who graduated at the conclusion of the Summer 2019 Semester. The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown.

The list also denotes students who graduated with honors (a 3.5 grade point average or higher) and with a perfect 4.0 GPA: SWIC Summer 2019 Graduate List.

For more information, contact SWIC Public Information and Marketing at 618-235-2700 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5786.

Police Academy Graduates

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SWIC Session 138 Police Academy Graduates

The Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy recently celebrated the graduation of Session 138. The SWIC Police Academy is an intensive academic and physical training program designed to prepare recruits to enter a career in law enforcement. It is one of only seven police academies in Illinois.

Graduates include, from left, front row:

Officer Leonard L. Bowen of the Rock Island Police Department

Officer Kelsey A. Bowman of the McLeansboro Police Department

Officer Ethan A. Brinson of the Belleville Police Department

Officer Thomas C. Carlock of the Jacksonville Police Department

Officer Alexander R. DeWall of the East Alton Police Department

Officer Nathan R. Eck of the Flora Police Department – Winner Academic Honors Award


Second row:

Officer Gregory M. Ferguson of the Rock Island Police Department – Winner Defense Tactics Award

Officer Claudia P. Gallegos of the Belleville Police Department

Officer Brandon T. Genenbacher of the Hamilton Police Department  

Officer Timothy D. Herink of the Farmington Police Department

Officer Adam S. Heuser of the Madison Police Department

Officer Gary C. Hoaks of the Clifton Police Department


Third row:

Officer Mason T. Ingram of the Waterloo Police Department – Winner Jeremy Chambers Top Gun Firearms Award  

Officer Tyler R. Johnson (of Fairmount) of the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group

Officer Samantha K. Jones of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department

Officer Andrew R. Krump of the Columbia Police Department

Officer Joshua D. Lee of the Oregon Police Department

Intern Katelyn M. Lucia (of Highland) of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board

Officer John P. Lulek of the Arthur Police Department Officer

Jordan M. May (of Collinsville) of the SWIC Public Safety Department– Winner Best Overall in Physical Fitness Award


Fourth row:

Officer Tylor G. McBride of the Litchfield Police Department

Intern Lane G. Messerli (of Greenville) of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board

Officer James B. Miller of the Prophetstown Police Department – Winner Most Improved Over all in Physical Fitness Award

Officer Jordan M. Miller of the Belleville Police Department

Officer Joseph R. Myers of the Cahokia Police Department

Officer Raymond J. Navarro of the Burnham Police Department

Officer Justin L. Nollau of the Belleville Police Department

Officer Andrew R. M. Ray of the Flora Police Department – Class President and Southern Illinois Police Chief’s Association Most Outstanding Officer Award


Fifth row:                       

Officer Joel R. Rush of the Belleville Police Department

Officer Cydny T. Saxer of the Jacksonville Police Department

Deputy Jacob M. Seed (of Lawrenceville) of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

Intern Scott Waldrup (of Mascoutah) of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board

Officer Bryant J. Weaver of the Sesser Police Department

Officer Justin S. Webb of the McLeansboro Police Department

Officer Tyler M. Wildrick of the Havana Police Department


SWIC photo by Dena Roland Woods 6-4-19

SWIC releases spring 2019 dean’s list

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The following is a list of full- and part-time students on the Southwestern Illinois College Dean’s List for the Spring 2019 Semester.

This list includes full-time students who completed 12 or more semester hours during the semester and part-time students who completed six or more semester hours during the semester while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown: SWIC Spring 2019 Dean’s List.

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

SWIC releases spring 2019 grad list

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The following is a list of Southwestern Illinois College students who graduated at the conclusion of the Spring 2019 Semester. The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown.

The list also denotes students who graduated with honors (a 3.5 grade point average or higher) and with a perfect 4.0 GPA: SWIC Spring 2019 Graduate List.

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5786.

Student with a Perfect ACT enrolls at SWIC

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Emilie Hoepker has always made academics a priority in her life, but it was still quite a shock when she received a perfect score of 36 on the ACT exam, a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Now, she’s headed to Southwestern Illinois College to start her college education.

“I was very surprised when I saw my scores, especially since it was my first time taking the ACT,” Hoepker said. “I feel proud of myself and the fact that I was able to score so well.”

With a perfect ACT score, it is no surprise that many colleges and universities have contacted Hoepker in hopes of her choosing to attend their institution. However, she has chosen to enroll in SWIC to study Computer-Aided Design.

While attending SWIC, aside from earning her education, Hoepker hopes to learn how to better interact with people and gain valuable hands-on work experience through an internship.

“When choosing a college, I recommend that you consider your financial options,” she said. “SWIC can give you a head start on your educational journey without putting you into financial debt and it matters what you do with the knowledge you receive, regardless of where it came from.”

Hoepker didn’t do much to prepare for the ACT exam. She had already taken the SAT exam, also a standardized test used for college admissions and the PSAT exam, a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test, twice. This gave her confidence in the format and process of taking standardized exams. She also did not take an ACT preparation class or an ACT practice test.

“I chose to take the ACT out of pure curiosity at what I could accomplish,” she said.  “My SAT score transferred to about a 34 on the ACT scale.”

While attending Highland High School, Hoepker earned the Top Algebra I, Geometry and Pre-Calculus Student of the Year honor, the Top 1% Award in Physical Education, Math, Business and Science, scored in the top 50,000 in the United States on the PSAT test, graduated with a 5.22 grade point average, ranked 13 out of 230 in her graduating class and has received the Highland Leo Lion Club Scholarship for $1500.

She has also incorporated academics in her social life by being on the Math team all four years of high school, was a member of the National Honors Society for two years, National Honor Society Co-Vice President in 2018, a member of the Spanish Club and volunteered as a Bible educator for approximately 30-50 hours a month for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“I wanted to choose a college that was affordable and close to home,” Hoepker said. “I want to attain my associate degree, then head straight into the work force. I want to spend more of my time, energy and money focusing on my Bible education volunteering.”

In the future she hopes to spend as much time as possible volunteering, to design new places of worship at the Jehovah’s Witnesses world headquarters and oversee current locations; however, her overall goal is to be able to care for others.

Hoepker currently works as a lifeguard, teaches swimming lessons through the Red Cross, holds positions at two daycares, tutors and is a child care provider. She lives in Highland with her parents and two younger siblings.

SWIC offers a two-year, 69-semester-credit AAS degree in CAD with specializations in General, Architecture, Machine or Structural Detail drafting, plus a one-year, 37-semester-credit CAD certificate.

For more information about SWIC’s Computer Aided Design program, visit swic.edu/cad.