Jun 2, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – In celebration of Juneteenth, Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the public to a free presentation “Juneteenth: Americanism Reclaimed” by Taylor Stewart, founder of the Oregon Remembrance & Sunrise Projects. The presentation will be held at Southwestern’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Umpqua Hall, Room 184. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
Stewart’s presentation will offer a powerful reflection on emancipation, the meaning of Juneteenth, and the ongoing pursuit of truth, justice and reconciliation in America.
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery. For the past four years, Taylor Stewart has been at the forefront of Juneteenth celebrations across the state of Oregon, lending his expertise and passion to the cause. Stewart’s first time working on a Juneteenth celebration was in 2021 in Coos Bay.
Stewart founded the Oregon Remembrance Project in 2018 to memorialize Alonzo Tucker, Oregon’s most widely documented African American victim of lynching, which occurred in Coos Bay in 1902.
For more information contact Forrest Akers, Director of International Recruitment and Academic Partnerships, at 541-888-7185, forrest.akers@socc.edu.
May 20, 2025 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – The Coos Singers, a community choir from Southwestern Oregon Community College, will be presenting “Songs from the Stage” an evening of choruses and solos in the great Broadway tradition. This free concert will be presented June 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm in The Hales Center for the Performing Arts on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
The performance will feature selections from Oklahoma, Wicked, Les Mis, and more! The 70+ members of The Coos Singers will showcase talented soloists, small ensembles, and a performance by the cast of Little Theatre on the Bay’s local production, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. The audience will even be invited to join in on a song or two!
Please make plans to join The Coos Singers, Monday June 2nd, at 7 pm, to share in this wonderful evening of music.
May 16, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Photo by Gretchen Kay Stuart
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New Time!) for: Sea Otters: Once More on Our Shores?
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.
Join Kyle Motley, Coastal Community Coordinator with the Elakha Alliance, for an in-depth exploration of sea otters, their ecological role, and their historical significance along the Oregon Coast. Kyle will share the fascinating history of these iconic marine mammals, discuss the vital ecological functions they serve in coastal ecosystems, and outline the considerations involved in their potential reintroduction to Oregon. This presentation highlights the intersection of science, culture, and community in restoring balance to our coastal waters.
Kyle has an extensive background working with endangered species, threatened ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and watershed restoration projects on private and public lands. He received his Master of Science degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont, where he focused on forest ecology. He has worked on monitoring, restoration, and forestry projects with the United States Forest Service, the National Park Service, and several local government agencies around the country. Since moving to the south coast six years ago, Kyle has worked with local non-profit groups to successfully implement habitat restoration projects focused on coho salmon and oak woodlands. He is excited to be able to use his stakeholder engagement and community outreach skills for the Elakha Alliance.
Explore, grow, and create with the Friends of Curry Campus on the second Thursday of every month during the school year. Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
May 13, 2025 | Community, News
[Photo: Southwestern’s Assistant Professor of Biology, Amy Burgess, instructs students at the Cape Arago tide pools. Students in Southwestern’s new Marine Biology Program will study coastal ecosystems like these before transferring to OIMB.]
Partnership ensures students transfer seamlessly into the University of Oregon’s Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB)
COOS BAY, OR – Students now have a direct path to earning a bachelor’s degree in marine biology without leaving Oregon’s South Coast, thanks to a new partnership between Southwestern Oregon Community College and the University of Oregon’s Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) in Charleston.
The new Associate of Science in Marine Biology at Southwestern allows students to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree and seamlessly transfer to the University of Oregon to finish their upper-division coursework at OIMB.
“It just makes sense,” said Dr. Doug Goodwin, Dean of Instruction – Transfer, Arts, & Community Education at Southwestern. “With a nationally renowned marine research institute in our backyard, this collaboration opens the door for students to complete their entire marine biology degree—start to finish—right here on the South Coast, in one of the most beautiful and biologically rich environments on the Pacific Coast.”
This is the only associate degree program of its kind in Oregon. Southwestern’s location near Charleston, where OIMB is based, allows students to immerse themselves in coastal ecosystems from the very beginning of their college journey.
“We’re excited for SWOCC’s new Associate of Science in Marine Biology and the opportunity to collaborate on a more accessible pathway for Oregon students,” said Maya Watts, Education Program Coordinator at OIMB. “This program allows students to immerse themselves in marine biology for four consecutive years on our two coastal campuses. It helps students integrate into the coastal community and the many opportunities it offers.”
Students in the program will take foundational courses in biology, chemistry, oceanography, and mathematics at Southwestern. The curriculum also emphasizes critical thinking, ecosystem understanding, and global environmental awareness. After completing a two-year degree at Southwestern and transferring, students will complete hands-on, field-based courses at OIMB in subjects including marine ecology, deep sea biology, and invertebrate zoology.
Ultimately, students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology could pursue careers as marine biologists, in research, ocean engineering, archaeology, marine aquarium work, and environmental and energy specialties.
See below for a complete listing of classes associated with this pathway:
Catalog Overview – Marine Biology, Associate of Science
Fall term registration for the 2026-27 academic year is now open!
CLICK HERE for information about how to register for Summer and Fall Term classes.
To speak with an advisor or learn how to enroll, contact Southwestern Admissions at 541-240-8227 or swoccbound@socc.edu.
May 8, 2025 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) athletics is pleased to host a two-day 2025 Laker Youth Basketball Camp on June 16-17, 2025, at the Recreation Center gymnasium. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills, make new friends, and enjoy the game under the guidance of experienced coaches.
The camp schedule for both days is as follows:
- Athletes just completing 1st – 3rd Grade: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Athletes just completing 4th – 8th Grade: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The registration fee for each camper for both days is $60. Payment is accepted at the door and checks should be made out to SWOCC Basketball.
Pre-registration is encouraged (on-site registration will also be accepted). To pre-register, simply:
- Go to the 2025 Laker Basketball Camp athletics page
- Complete the 2025 Laker Basketball Camp Form
- Complete the Basketball Hold Harmless Form
For any additional questions, contact SWOCC’s head women’s basketball coach Heather Weber at 541-391-3494 or email heather.weber@socc.edu.
Don’t miss this opportunity for your athlete to learn basketball skills from SWOCC basketball coaches and players! Sign up today and join us for two days of learning, skill-building and a lot of fun on the court.
May 1, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Join the Southwestern Oregon Community College Swim Team for SWIM CAMP! Whether you’re just learning to swim or looking to sharpen your technique, this event is open to all skill levels. Join SWOCC’s talented swim team and experienced coaches for a day of expert instruction and fun at the North Bend Municipal Pool (2455 Pacific Street, North Bend) on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
All Level Camp – For all skill levels, ages 3 to 18 years old. Parents of small children are encouraged to stay and participate.
Three sessions available:
[1] 8:30am-9:15am
[2] 9:45am-10:30am
[3] 11:00am-11:45am
Pricing: $25 per attendee, per session
To register: https://swoccathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=27
Competitive Swimmer Camp – Training for competitive swimmers ages 9 to 18 years old.
Two sessions available:
[1] 8:15am-9:30am – starts and turns clinic
[2] 10:15am-11:30am – stroke technique/filming
Pricing: Advanced swimmers may pick one session for $25, or attend both sessions for $50 without the video package. The underwater swimming and data analysis package price includes the 2nd session at 10:15am-11:30am for $75, plus $25 for each additional stroke you would like to have filmed/analyzed; $150 for all four strokes.
To register: https://swoccathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=20
What to Bring: Swimsuit, Towel, Swim Goggles (preferred), hair must be tied up or use a swim cap if you have long hair.
Payment by cash or checks only, made payable to SWOCC Swimming. Customizable camp t-shirts will be available to design as well as SWOCC swimming swag for purchase during the camp.
For more information please contact Sandra Bullock, Head Swim Coach at Southwestern at 541-297-2158 or sandra.bullock@socc.edu.
