Southwestern's History

Southwestern Oregon Community College (Southwestern) is located within two
miles of the Pacific Ocean in an area of scenic beauty and mild climate.

The 153-acre institution lies completely within the city of Coos Bay and is bordered on the north and east by the city of North Bend.

The college was formed in a tax district election in May 1961. It included Coos and western Douglas counties. On July 1, 1995, Curry County joined the college district. The district now encompasses 3,648 square miles with a population of more than 92,000. The college is the only public, post-secondary institution in the region.

Enrollment has grown from 266 students in 1961 to nearly 14,500 students annually. Staff has grown from 15 to more than 60 full-time faculty and from 11 to over 275 part-time instructors. Cultural and athletic events at the college attract 20,000 men, women, and children each year.

During the early years, Southwestern held classes in surplus U.S. Navy facilities and in Coos Bay and North Bend school district buildings. Today’s main campus is located on the shore of Upper Empire Lake in a natural tract of coastal pine.

Permanent campus construction began in 1963. A majority of the campus was built between 1965 and 1969. A second phase of construction, which began in 1979, provided new and remodeled shops and laboratories and expanded facilities for several programs. The expansion included a student center with a cafeteria, student activity space, student government offices, and meeting rooms for school and community activities.

The college entered a new building phase in 1994 with the construction of a new student services and general classroom building. This was followed immediately by a comprehensive One-Stop Career Center, a Family Center, student housing, a new baseball field, an indoor athletic practice facility and a state-of-the-art performing arts and conference center.

The residents of Curry County voted to annex themselves to the district in 1995; the college area nearly doubled in size, extending to the California border. A full range of college services is now offered in Curry County.

Throughout the college’s years, a comprehensive instructional program has evolved. Instructional offerings include two-year transfer programs, one and two-year professional/technical programs, short course occupational programs, adult education, a high school diploma program, and adult enrichment courses. Classes are offered on the Coos Bay campus, on the Curry campus, and in towns throughout the college district.

As a partner in the South Coast’s economic development, Southwestern offers students and industrial partners education that meets their needs. Whether students enroll for a short course, a two-year transfer, or a two-year Associate degree, they are preparing for a rewarding future.