May 9, 2024 | Alumni, Community, Foundation, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College will officially open its new Fire Training Tower on Thursday, May 23, 2024 on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. The College invites the public, students, firefighters and other partners to celebrate this accomplishment and tour the four story, state-of-the-art firefighting lab from 4 to 6 p.m. Local fire department personnel will be on site, along with the college’s student firefighters.
The tower will serve as a fire and rescue operations training hub for Southwestern’s students pursuing careers in structural firefighting and emergency response. That’s not all. The College anticipates this $1 million investment also will support regional safety and enhance annual disaster response training events that can bring together lifesavers from fire departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, medical facilities, and ambulance firms.
With this investment, regional municipal and volunteer fire departments from western Douglas, Coos and Curry counties will have ongoing opportunities to train at the College close to home without leaving the region. Southwestern’s partner school Columbia Pacific Maritime also will have the ability to provide professional mariners with maritime firefighting certification classes, which represents a new opportunity for mariners.
The modular 36-foot-tall steel structure meets International Building Code/National Fire Protection Association standards. It provides students, volunteers, and professionals space to practice a variety of skills:
- Interior search and rescue,
- Live fire drills to learn fire behavior and suppression,
- Safe ventilation operations,
- Aerial firefighting,
- Rappelling and ladder training,
- Day and night fire drills, response and rescue,
- Maritime/vessel fire response and rescue.
“It took us three years of planning with local fire departments to design and complete the project. This work has made our relationships stronger and the College’s fire science program more advanced, which helps students achieve even greater success,” said College President Patty Scott. “It also ensures quality training opportunities for rural volunteers so that the College is able to keep a pipeline of highly trained firefighters moving into departments as older professionals retire.”
Previously, the College used a wood-frame tower built by volunteers with donated materials in 1981 for limited training. The wood structure did not meet industry standards, and could not be used for live fire or rescue drills. With the new tower, the College also was able to expand and improve the training area around the tower, allowing better access and more people to train together at one time.
“Through hard work and determination by College staff and local fire agencies, the new fire tower is ready. This will serve as a symbol of pride for years to come, and provide an effective manner in which to train not only today’s firefighters, but tomorrows as well,” said Coos Bay Fire Chief Mark Anderson.
The project was funded with grants and donations. Organizations that made this project a reality are SWOCC Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation, City of Coos Bay, North Bend Volunteer Firefighters Association, Central Coos Fire & Rescue; and the State of Oregon via the work of Sen. David Brock Smith, Sen. Dick Anderson and Rep. Boomer Wright.
May 7, 2024 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to announce that selected credit classes during summer term are being offered on a “Two for One” deal. Register for one summer class and take another course for FREE!
Our “Two for One” summer deal allows students a cost-effective way to explore their options and career pathways. Do you need to get ahead on credits over the summer? Are you looking for a way to broaden your horizons? Maybe you only have a few credits left to earn your degree. There’s no better time to enroll at SWOCC.
Both classes students register for must be for credit. This offer excludes Oregon Coast Culinary Institute courses. All required fees and books are the student’s responsibility. The second class must be of equal or lesser value. Classes may be in-person or online and must be a minimum of three credits, with a maximum limit of two free classes. Tuition waiver will be added to student’s accounts on July 3, 2024.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to double your learning potential this summer at Southwestern!
For more information and to register contact the Student Success Center at 541-888-7352 for the Coos Campus, and 541-813-1667 for the Curry Campus.
May 7, 2024 | Alumni, Community, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) athletics is pleased to host a one-day soccer camp for players 6-18 years old on Saturday, June 1 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay). Registration is $75 per player, with all proceeds directly supporting SWOCC women’s soccer team.
Led by coaches and players of the 2023-24 women’s soccer team, the camp is designed to provide young athletes in the community with valuable skills and training as they prepare for the upcoming soccer season. Participants will have the chance to learn from experienced coaches and players while engaging in drills, exercises, and friendly matches.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own shin guards, cleats, water bottle, and lunch. Snacks and water will be provided throughout the day.
Pre-registration for the SWOCC Soccer Kids Camp is available online: https://swoccathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=26. Payment can be made on-site at the event. On-site registration and payment will also be available on the day of the camp.
For any additional information or questions, contact SWOCC’s head women’s soccer coach Emma Meyer: emma.meyer@socc.edu or 541-888-7711. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join us for a day of soccer fun in a positive, supportive environment!
May 1, 2024 | Alumni, Community, Foundation, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to invite our community, students, and alumni to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the award-winning Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) at a very special event. Join us for a culinary extravaganza on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Bristol Event Center, 481 Bennett Ave., Coos Bay. Seating is available by reservation only. The cost is $95 per person or $700 for a table of eight. OCCI alumni who have graduated from either the Culinary or Baking & Pastry programs receive a discounted rate of $50 per person.
Take a trip down memory lane with us, reminiscing about our humble beginnings at an off-campus facility to this year’s incredible achievement of winning Culinary Olympic medals. Our culinary program has become a beacon of quality education, and our facility a beloved gathering place for the community. It’s been an incredible journey. Southwestern wants to share this momentous occasion with long-time friends and supporters.
Come enjoy live music by jazz singer Shaymus Hanlin, stellar ice carvings, mouth-watering food stations, a silent auction, and the company of current and former students and visiting guest chefs.
Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward funding state-of-the-art culinary equipment and scholarships for students. There will be a no-host bar.
Please note: Our celebration will be held at the Bristol Event Center, not our facility on the SWOCC campus. Holding our celebration at an off-campus event space gives our students real-world experience in catering special events.
To secure reservations for this event contact Shawn Warren at shawn.warren@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309.
Apr 23, 2024 | Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – The Oregon TRIO Association (OTA) is proud to announce the receipt of a $6,000 grant from the Coquille Tribal Fund. This generous award will support OTA’s mission to provide resources and support for low-income students in the Southwestern Oregon area who are pursuing postsecondary education.
In today’s educational landscape, access to technology is paramount for academic success. Many students from disadvantaged communities face barriers to accessing essential resources like computers, laptops, tablets, and high-speed internet connectivity. The grant from the Coquille Tribal Fund will enable OTA to bridge this digital divide and ensure that these students have the necessary tools to thrive in their academic pursuits.
“We are grateful to the Coquille Tribe for their generosity and support of our pre-college TRIO students. As potential first generation college students, our high school TRIO scholars have overcome many obstacles and worked very hard. They are grateful for the community support and are so thankful to the Coquille Tribe for enabling them to enter college next fall with a laptop.” – DeAnne Varitek, Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Director of TRIO, Upward Bound, and Educational Talent Search.
“Our project aims to address the critical need for technology access among low-income students in Southwestern Oregon,” said Matt Bisek, Executive Director of the Oregon TRIO Association. “This generous grant from the Coquille Tribal Fund will allow us to provide computers, laptops, tablets, and internet connectivity to students in need, empowering them to access online learning platforms, research materials, and educational software.”
The project targets households in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) community, where access to affordable broadband and essential resources like computers is often limited. According to the 2020 Census, a significant number of households in Oregon lack access to computers or internet connectivity, further exacerbating educational disparities.
“There are 140+ AI/AN TRIO students in the Coquille Tribal Fund target area that OTA can reach,” added Bisek. “This grant will make a tangible difference in the lives of these students, providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed academically.”
OTA’s project addresses the immediate need for technology access and contributes to long-term economic development and educational equity in the Southwestern Oregon area. By providing students with the tools they need to excel in their studies, OTA is helping to create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape for all students.
For more information about the TRIO Talent Search program at Southwestern Oregon Community College, please visit our webpage. (www.socc.edu/resources/trio-programs). If you or your organization is interested in supporting our TRIO programs with a donation you can do so at: https://www.socc.edu/give. Please label your donation “TRIO Pre-College”.
Apr 9, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss
Reading is fundamental. It develops the brains of young children, provides a window into the world around them and helps them do better in all school subjects.
Yet, 800 million people around the world cannot read or write. And many families (and some schools) have no books for children to read.
With the idea of encouraging a love of reading, the Rotary Clubs and school districts of North Bend, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point and Powers, along with South Coast Education Service District (ESD), and Southwestern Oregon Community College are partnering to help children on the south coast get excited about books with the Gift of Literacy Program.
Modeled after the Springfield Gift of Literacy, this well-established, time-tested, award-winning program fosters a love of reading among young children. Through a multi-club Rotary District Grant matched by local clubs, every first-grader (over 600) in each of the club’s coastal communities are participating in this enriching six-month literacy program.
The Gift of Literacy Program will culminate in a festive celebration on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Southwestern Oregon Community College, when first-graders from the south coast will be transported by bus to the College to attend an assembly and receive a cinch bag filled with fun swag … and two brand-new books!
The five selected books, chosen by Coos County librarians and educators, are a wonderful and diverse mix. Each first-grade classroom received a set of the books in November. Teachers or guest readers read the books in the classroom. And on April 30th, each first-grade student will come to campus for a literacy program that includes receiving two books for them to take home.
The importance and enjoyment of reading will be reinforced with the acquisition of a library card. First-graders will also be introduced to a college campus, where they can get a glimpse of college life.
“All Rotarians are committed to promoting literacy, both in the United States and abroad,” said Southwestern President and local Rotarian Dr. Patty M. Scott, who helped organize the event. “We are proud to celebrate and promote literacy for our local first-grade students!”
The Rotary Clubs, ESD and the College would like to give special thanks to Yellow Cab, First Community Credit Union, McDonald’s, and Northwest Community Credit Union for their generous support of the Gift of Literacy Program.
NOTE TO PRESS: Representatives of the press are welcome and encouraged to cover this event. We will have one group of students in the morning from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. The morning session includes first-graders from Bandon, Coquille, Powers, Reedsport, and Winter Lakes schools. The afternoon session runs from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. and includes first-graders from Coos Bay, Lighthouse, Myrtle Point, and North Bend schools. Both sessions will be held at the Recreation Center on the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus, 1988 Newmark Ave. For further details, please contact Southwestern President Dr. Patty M. Scott at pscott@socc.edu or phone at 541-888-7401.
Apr 9, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Psychology Department and Associated Student Government are offering students and the community an opportunity to hear international guest speaker Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis (via Zoom) discuss the work of her late husband Dr. Albert Ellis. Join us Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in Eden Hall room 1 on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Dr. Ellis has dedicated herself to sharing the life enhancing and inspiring approach of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) with as many people as possible. A clear and easy-to-understand approach, its application brings striking and beneficial results. Its efficiency is fueled by its pragmatic tools and along with it a philosophical backbone encouraging kindness and compassion.
At the core of the presentations and writings of Dr. Ellis is the groundbreaking philosophy and psychological approach of her husband, a pioneer in the field of psychology, Dr. Albert Ellis, the creator of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy.
Albert Ellis PhD (1913-2007) dedicated himself to fighting injustices and changing restrictive social norms. He was a major figure in changing general attitudes held by many in the twentieth century, and first decade of the twenty-first century, on women’s rights, racial equality, inter-racial marriage, gay rights, freedom of speech, and literature – to name a few.
Ellis’ approach is holistic and ethical, attending to the interplay of a person’s beliefs, emotions and actions, and seeing people as capable of choosing their emotional destiny according to their capacity and willingness to choose rational thinking over irrational thinking. He asserted that we humans are fallible creatures who can unnecessarily disturb ourselves and prescribed the use of his REBT approach for un-disturbing ourselves.
Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
Dr. Ellis was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. New York City has been her home base for the past two decades. She is a licensed psychologist (Australia), licensed mental health counselor (New York), presenter, writer, and adjunct professor at Columbia University in New York City where she teaches Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Comparative Psychotherapies. For years she worked with her husband, Dr Albert Ellis, giving public presentations and professional trainings in his approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, as well as collaborating with him on writing and research projects until his death in 2007.
Before his passing he stated and wrote that he entrusted her to continue his work. She is recognized as a world-renowned expert on REBT, and regularly presents, throughout the USA and around the world, to students, academics, practitioners in the helping professions, and to members of the general public.
More information can be found at her website: www.debbiejoffeellis.com.
The lecture will be presented via Zoom and recorded for later viewing via the College’s YouTube channel. This is a free event. For more information, please contact Cheryl Davies, Professor of Psychology at Southwestern at 541-888-7291 or cdavies@socc.edu.
Apr 5, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: Inspiring Travel and Strengthening a Sustainable Coastal Economy.
This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Curry Campus and will be held in the Community Room on Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings. Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch.
Want to learn more about travel and tourism in Curry County? Stacey Reynolds and Miranda Plagge both play big roles in what’s happening in Curry County now and in the future. Their talk promises to be one filled with stories and strategies.
Stacey Reynolds works as the Global Sales and Marketing Coordinator for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA). They are a Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast.
The tourism industry is one of the leading economic drivers on the Oregon Coast. OCVA’s mission is to inspire travel and strengthen collaboration to create and steward a sustainable coastal economy.
The OCVA is the official Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) for the entire Oregon Coast as designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).
OCVA has the honor of working with coastal communities to align partnerships, destination development projects, and destination marketing with the vision of creating “a coastal utopia for all.” This includes coastal stakeholders, new and returning visitors, and the natural resources that make these coveted experiences so magical.
Stacey Reynolds was born in Portland, Oregon but raised in North Dakota. Stacey knew from an early age she’d return to Oregon. The Oregon Coast captured her twelve-year-old heart while on a family vacation during a stormy Thanksgiving, and she vowed to move here someday. Now, as a 15-year resident of the coast, her love for The People’s Coast still runs deep.
Stacey attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she studied graphic communications with an art minor. Stacey has used her graphic design skills to market companies of all sizes, including her own small business on the Oregon Coast. Through this experience, she found a passion for building and promoting small community-oriented businesses. She is deeply excited to bring her passion and skills to the OCVA team. Her past projects with OCVA include developing the Oregon Coast Public Art Trail and designing communication pieces for the Oregon Ocean Cluster Initiative.
Stacey lives in Brookings with her son and enjoys hiking the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, surfing, swimming, and exploring the local rivers.
Miranda Plagge is the Economic Development Administrator for Curry County. She actively promotes the expansion of the tourism industry on the South Coast, while also expanding her responsibilities to include more comprehensive economic endeavors.
Her professional experience prior to Curry County ranged from the picturesque landscapes of Colorado to the dynamic culture of New Mexico. Miranda pursued a Bachelor of Science in Creative Media at New Mexico State University while minoring in Business Administration. Miranda also completed a certificate in Sustainable Destination Management from The George Washington University.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Miranda supports the arts and community development. With her past positions as President of the Ellensburg Theatre Company and Board of Director for Travel Southern Oregon Coast, she continues to promote sustainable development and cultural vitality.
“I lead one of Oregon’s hottest destinations on the southern Oregon coastline. I’m extremely passionate about telling the stories of this region including the businesses that make up this industry. The businesses we support gravitate to my office for direction in social media engagement and strategy. We help educate businesses on the possibilities of scaling up with consistent social media marketing, all while promoting the County with traditional and non-traditional media buys. When I’m not developing marketing strategies, I love traveling – road trips are my absolute favorite! I sit on the Board of Directors for Gold Beach Mainstreet, Rogue Playhouse, and South Coast Oregon Film Festival. I also try to keep up with 15 nieces and nephews throughout the year.”
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Apr 3, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites 3rd to 6th grade students to join us for “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) for KIDS: Star Wars!” on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This science-immersion event will be from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm in the College’s health and science building, Umpqua Hall, on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Grab your lightsaber and join us! Students will engage with professors in hands-on activities in Physics & Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Art, and more. This includes working alongside the College’s SPEAR Student Researchers, who are involved in various STEAM projects.
Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch, as there will be a break to eat. Star Wars themed costumes are encouraged, but not required. There will also be an opportunity to experience a show in the new Discovery Dome Planetarium. This digital theater space immerses students in a show that takes them on an adventure.
STEAM education projects help students visualize career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math. The “A” adds in the arts, such as humanities, dance, drama, visual arts and design. When people learn in all these areas together, they gain soft skills that can help grow ability in out-of-the-box thinking and collaboration.
Cost is $25. Spots are limited to 15. Scholarships are available. For more information and to register contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
For more information regarding science programs at Southwestern visit the STEM Pathways & Degrees page of our website. (https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/).
Apr 1, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College will be hosting a financial aid workshop on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) on Monday, April 15, 2024. This event is free and open to all. It will take place on the third floor of Tioga Hall in the Tutoring Center from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The first 40 people to arrive will receive a $10 Gas/Grocery card.
CURRY COUNTY RESIDENTS: Join us via zoom from the Curry Campus, Room 232 (906082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings). The first 10 people to arrive will receive a $10 Gas/Grocery card.
Financial aid advisors will be available to assist people with submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in securing funding to pay for the costs associated with going to college. Applying for federal and state aid can be time consuming and difficult. The Financial Aid staff at Southwestern would like to provide current students, prospective students, and the community assistance with navigating this process.
The workshop offers hands-on assistance from trained professionals who will be available to help you navigate the FAFSA from beginning to end. Our staff will also be able to access any successfully submitted FAFSAs that we have received to review them for errors and assist you with making corrections to the form.
It is important to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible as Southwestern has a Priority Deadline of August 1, 2024 for the submission of all additional required paperwork.
For more information contact Stevie Jennings, Director of Financial Aid at Southwestern via email at stevie.jennings@socc.edu or by calling 541-888-1615.
General information regarding financial aid can be found on our website: HERE.
