A petition has been launched to oppose new Southwestern Michigan College interim President Brent Brewer.
A group calling itself “Citizens Opposed to Appointing Brent Brewer as President of Southwestern Michigan College” has launched the campaign and says Brewer isn’t qualified to lead SMC because he doesn’t have a doctorate. It also says Brewer was arrested in 2023 on charges of misdemeanor domestic violence and disturbing the peace. The domestic violence charge was later dropped and he pleaded to the lesser charge.
The Change.org petition seeks to have SMC appoint a different interim president, saying, “This is not just about one man — this is about the values we stand for as a community.” It had just over 200 signatures as of Monday morning.
SMC board Chair Tom Jerdon has released a statement saying, “The college is well aware of those past allegations. After further investigation, all of the initial domestic violence charges were dropped. The SMC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Brewer as interim president.” It says SMC Trustees have full confidence in Brewer’s ability to lead the college.
Trustees announced in February Brent Brewer would be stepping in as interim president when current SMC President Joe Odenwald leaves in June.
Brewer is currently SMC’s senior vice president and chief strategy officer.
