Apr 28, 2025 | Community, News
Coquille Rotarian Lee Van Pelt reads a book of Haiku poetry “Climbing the Volcano” to first-graders at the Gift of Literacy event at SWOCC.
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
More than 600 first-graders from throughout Coos County gathered at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) for a celebration of books and reading on April 24, 2025. The event marked the culmination of the Gift of Literacy Program, a six-month initiative designed to encourage a lifelong love of reading among young children.
Reading is fundamental. It develops young children’s brains, provides a window into the world around them and helps them do better in all school subjects. Even so, 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 improving children’s access to fun books and 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 SWOCC have partnered for the past eight years on the Gift of Literacy Program.
Modeled after the Springfield Gift of Literacy, this well-established, time-tested, award-winning program supports reading and inspires thousands of young children.
Each year, Coos County librarians and teachers choose the books. First-grade classrooms receive a set of the books in November, giving teachers or guest readers an opportunity to read the books in the classroom and build excitement.
The Gift of Literacy Program culminates in the festive celebration at the college with music, guest book readers and a play put on by youth actors with The Little Theatre on the Bay. First-graders receive a bag filled with fun swag, a careers coloring book and the year’s featured brand-new books!
“Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning, and it’s a privilege to support that journey from the very start,” said Southwestern President and local Rotarian Dr. Patty Scott. “This event reflects our deep commitment — not just to education, but to empowering every child in our community to thrive.”
The Rotary Clubs, ESD and the College also 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.
Apr 22, 2025 | Community, News
Girls High School Varsity Basketball Tournament at Southwestern Oregon Community College
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College athletics invites high school basketball teams from across the region to participate in the annual Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase—a premier varsity girls basketball tournament set to take place June 19-21, 2025, at the College’s Coos Campus in Coos Bay, Oregon.
With a seven game guarantee, the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase promises a fun tournament for high school girls basketball teams that includes a skills competition, memorable camaraderie and an event barbeque for participants. Teams interested in on-campus housing accommodations can arrange for them at an additional fee.
Registration for the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase is now open. Teams can secure their spot for $500 by registering online HERE. Furthermore, teams registering and submitting their rosters by June 1, 2025, will receive complimentary t-shirts. Hurry, as the tournament will cap at 16 teams.
Tournament Details:
- Dates: June 19-21, 2025
- Location: Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay)
- Registration: $500 per team, register online HERE
- Game Guarantee: 7 games
- Officiating: OSAA Certified Officials
- Additional Events: Skills competition & BBQ
- Accommodations: Teams have the option to stay in on-campus housing for an additional fee (details in registration link)
For more information, including specific inquiries about accommodations and tournament details, please contact Southwestern’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Heather Weber at 541-391-3494 or via email at heather.weber@socc.edu.
Join us for this opportunity to compete, connect, and celebrate basketball at the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase.
Apr 18, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the Curry County community to join us on Monday, May 5, 2025, for A Night at the Planetarium. Our mobile planetarium is a digital theater space that immerses viewers in a presentation that takes them on an adventure! Please join us in the lobby of Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings. A variety of shows will be played approximately every 30 minutes. This is a free event and all ages are welcome.
SHOWS AND TIMES:
“Seeing” 4:00 & 6:00 pm
Weaving a tale of the journey of humanity that discovered the science, technology, and medicine that allows us to understand how sight works, cure diseases of the eye and correct vision. 26 min.
“Out There” 4:45 & 6:30 pm
The story of how human curiosity has driven us to look outwards to discover and explore new and distance worlds. 30 min.
“Two Small Pieces of Glass” 5:25 pm
A visually stunning chronicle of the history of the telescope from the time of Galileo, its profound impact upon the science of astronomy, and how both shape the way we view ourselves in the midst of an infinite universe. 22 min.
For more information on upcoming events, please contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways, at 541-888-1518, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Apr 16, 2025 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – Come taste what’s cooking at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI)! This spring, students and instructors invite the community to enjoy freshly made pastries, artisan breads, and chef-prepared meals—while supporting local students gaining real-world experience in the kitchen.
OCCI’s La Patisserie bake sales and Culinary Market Days are hosted by students in the Retail Baking and Culinary Arts programs. The events give aspiring bakers and chefs the opportunity to showcase their skills in a live retail setting, offering thoughtfully crafted goods to the public. Weekly menus will be posted at www.socc.edu/occi prior to the event (click on the “news & events” button) and are subject to change.
La Patisserie Bake Sales
Guests can expect a rotating menu of croissants, pastries, artisan breads, desserts, and handcrafted coffee drinks—made fresh by baking and pastry students. Each week features a unique theme that highlights seasonal flavors and creative techniques.
Culinary Market Days
Beginning in May, Culinary Market Days offer an expanded experience featuring pre-made and take-and-bake culinary goods, presented in a “farmers market” style. In addition to the market offerings, the OCCI Food Truck will be on-site serving up hot meals, and other counter-service lunch options will also be available.
SPRING 2025 SCHEDULE:
Thursdays during Spring Term
Location: OCCI – 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay
- April 17, 10 a.m. – Noon: La Patisserie (Italian Theme)
- April 24, 10 a.m. – Noon: La Patisserie (French Theme)
- May 1 – **NO EVENTS THIS WEEK**
- May 8, 10 a.m. – Noon: La Patisserie (French Theme)
- May 15, 10 a.m. – Noon: La Patisserie (Tea House Theme)
- May 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: La Patisserie (Tea House Theme) & Culinary Market
- May 29, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: La Patisserie & Culinary Market
- June 5, 10 a.m – 1 p.m.: La Patisserie & Culinary Market
All events are first-come, first-served. No pre-orders or phone orders accepted.
Come support our students, enjoy delicious food, and see the next generation of culinary talent in action!
Apr 11, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to honor South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates, and South Coast Head Start with our 2025 Career Technical Education (CTE) Industry Partner of the Year Award. Southwestern’s CTE partners’ steadfast support of our programs has been integral to our students’ success.
South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates has been an essential partner in developing Southwestern’s SWOCC Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. SWOCC Works trains students in entry-level construction skills, OSHA safety training, and heavy equipment operation. It prepares people for jobs in the trades on both the Coos and Curry Campuses.
Photo left to right: Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern; Jeff Bunnell, Operations Manager South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates; Patty Scott, President of Southwestern
South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates is a fourth-generation, family-owned business, proudly celebrating 75 years of supporting the Brookings economy and the southern Oregon Coast. Since 1950, they have been committed to producing premium wood products through their sawmill, plywood, and laminated veneer lumber facilities, providing over 500 family-wage jobs to our local communities.
“South Coast Lumber has demonstrated support for the success of our students in both tangible and conceptual ways. Their willingness to collaborate has helped identify and remove barriers for students, and their shared knowledge has helped guide program development. We appreciate the time, care, encouragement, and support of SWOCC’s students,” said Raushanna Dapena, Apprenticeship Program Director.
South Coast Head Start has a long history of partnering with Southwestern, working with Early Childhood faculty to provide practicum placements in high-quality programs in which students refine their skills and learn from masterful teachers.
Photo left to right: Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern; Wendi Baird, Director of South Coast Head Start; Jennifer Gill, Director of Hiring and Licensing South Coast Head Start; Patty Scott, President of Southwestern; Brenda Jackson, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator at Southwestern
South Coast Head Start supports children’s growth from birth to age five through services that promote early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start actively engages parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes. They work tirelessly to ensure children and families receive high-quality services in safe and healthy settings that prepare children for school and life.
Taya Noland, Director of CARE Connections Child Care Resource & Referral, shares, “Head Start has been a key partner in developing the first Early Childhood apprenticeship in Oregon, through which students work toward their AAS in Preschool Development while working at Head Start. This apprenticeship model has gained statewide attention, and this spring marks our first graduates!”
“Head Start has been instrumental in providing pre-kindergarten practicum placements and mentors for pre-service teachers in three degrees: Childhood Education and Family Studies Associate of Science; Preschool Child Development Associate of Applied Science; and Elementary Education Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer. This valuable partnership helps Southwestern provide experienced teachers to serve the needs of families throughout Oregon,” said Brenda Jackson, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator.
It’s with great pleasure that we present these two excellent organizations with our CTE Partner of the Year Award.
To learn more about Southwestern’s career technical training programs call 541-888-7405 to make an appointment with an advisor.
Apr 10, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New Time!) for: Stories from a Chimp Conservationist and Colleague of Jane Goodall.
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.
In 1972, Dr. Nancy Merrick had the unique opportunity to study chimpanzee behavior with Jane Goodall at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania, Africa. Nancy was thrilled for the opportunity to follow chimps around the forest, documenting their behavior.
Upon her return to college, she worked at the Stanford Primate Center and subsequently attended medical school at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. She worked for several years as an internist in Ventura, California, and retired a few years ago.
In 2008 Nancy returned for a visit to Gombe along with her family, and was devastated to see how the local villages had encroached on the chimp reserve, reducing the number of trees greatly, and inhibiting the chimps’ movements. She then became involved in chimpanzee conservation efforts, working with a non-profit called Friends of Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, of which she is president.
In 2014 she published a book relating her experiences entitled “Among Chimpanzees – Field Notes from the Race to Save Our Endangered Relatives.” The book was featured by National Geographic’s Book Talk and praised by the New York Times Science Section. Nancy continues to be involved in conservation efforts and is currently working with local people and a chimp community in Bulindi, Uganda, where her colleagues there have named a baby chimp after her, Merrick!
Join us for an insider look at wild chimpanzees and the ongoing effort to maintain their endangered habitat, as well as the present connection with their local human counterparts.
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.
