Southwestern Foundation names interim director

Southwestern Oregon Community College recently named Marie Simonds Interim Foundation Director.

Simonds, who for the past three years has been employed with Southwestern as Resource Development Specialist and head golf coach, moved into the interim role in July. Her goals for the Foundation include increasing visibility and community support, developing ability to provide more scholarships and additional opportunities for students and continuing and expanding Foundation partnerships in the community.

In her short time on the job, Simonds has initiated the Laker Club Alumni Association and taken the lead on writing bylaws and organizing a board for that organization. The club already has hosted two public events that were well attended. During her watch the Foundation also has increased its number of endowments and continued to build donor relations to help keep donors informed and connected to the College. In the last year, the Foundation Board membership has more than doubled.

Simonds is embracing the new role with the Southwestern Foundation and is excited about future and current prospects – including partnerships with The World newspaper on the anti-methamphetamine campaign, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and Coos Art Museum – as well as assisting in the planning of a campaign for a Health and Science Technology building on the Southwestern campus in Coos Bay.

“I’ve said before that I think I have the best job on campus,” Simonds said. “I am in the community talking about how great Southwestern is and people give us money to help out with the things that we’re doing.”

Press Release Date: December 5, 2007