Jun 15, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus
BROOKINGS, Ore. – What do barnacles, Dungeness crabs, and giant sea spiders have in common? How about snails with iron shells, vampire squid, and “pill bugs” the size of cats?
Join Bill Gorham, Marine Biologist, this July as he presents four lectures featuring the amazing variety of life that thrives in the ocean off the Oregon Coast.
This free lecture series will be held Thursdays at 1:00 pm during the month of July in the Community Room on Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings. Everyone is welcome to attend.
- July 9 – Mollusks: snails, clams, octopuses, and their relatives
- July 16 – Crustaceans: crabs, beach hoppers, krill, shrimp, barnacles and their kin
- July 23 – Echinoderms: sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and their relatives, living and fossils
- July 30 – Sponges, anemones, jelly fish, and the many, many types of worms and other weird sea critters
Over 95 % of marine animals are invertebrates. They inhabit every zone of the ocean from the highest intertidal to the deepest trenches, range in size from microscopic plankton to giant squid, and comprise an intricate web of life unseen by most humans.
The talks will highlight key features that many of the animals of each group share and will also present examples of highly specialized and unique abilities evolved to survive and thrive in extreme environments or uniquely novel ways. Bill will share specimens of some local marine invertebrates for people to look at and touch. These talks will cover animals that most people will recognize but will also talk about the bizarre and weird animals that live in highly novel ways. Explore the phenomenal diversity of life in the oceans beyond what we see on our plates or in tide pools.
Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Jun 9, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) at Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to our inaugural Oregon Coast Food & Wine Celebration. This is a new community event bringing together exceptional wineries, artisan vendors, and supporters of the culinary arts from across Oregon. This warm and vibrant gathering will take place on July 18th, 2026, at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1988 Newmark, Ave., Coos Bay, inside the beautiful Umpqua Hall Health & Science Building from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
This year’s celebration holds special significance. We are honoring the memory of our cherished colleague, Chef Instructor Laura Williams, who passed away last year. Laura was passionate about food, wine, and teaching, and it’s fitting to create an event that brings those passions together. In her honor, this inaugural celebration will serve as a fundraiser to establish a scholarship in Laura’s name, awarded annually to a student attending the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute. Our hope is to continue this event in the future – growing it into a beloved annual tradition that draws guests from up and down the coast.
This is a ticketed event, with each patron receiving sampling tokens upon entry. Guests may use these tokens for food or wine tastings with the option to purchase additional tokens. All proceeds from ticket and token sales will contribute directly to the Laura Williams Memorial Scholarship. Live music, artisan vendors, and a curated selection of Oregon wineries will help create a lively, welcoming atmosphere for attendees to enjoy.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase wine (bottles or cases) directly from participating wineries. A silent auction will offer exciting experiences, fun gifts, and coastal treats going to the highest bidder.
If attendees desire to contribute directly to the Laura Williams Memorial Scholarship there will be a drop box at the event to leave a donation, or they may donate online.
TICKETS & EVENT DETAILS:
- Date/Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Location: SWOCC Coos Campus, Umpqua Hall (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay)
- Tickets: $35 per person in advance. $40 at the door. With this entry fee, you will receive 3 wine tokens and 2 food tokens for tastings. Click button below to purchase!
- 21 and older only
- Service Animals only
- Purchase tickets in advance!
Purchase Tickets
PARTICIPATING WINERIES:
- King Estate
- Abacela
- Melrose
- Eola
- Whitetail Ridge
- J Scott
- Richwine
DONATE TO LAURA WILLIAMS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
If you wish to donate directly to the Laura Williams Memorial Scholarship please click below:
Donate to Laura Williams Memorial Scholarship
VENDOR APPLICATION:
To participate as a vendor, please complete the below form.
Vendor Application Form
For more information or if you have other specific questions regarding the event, please contact Lena Chester at 541-888-7309 or lena.chester@socc.edu.
For information about the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI), visit: www.socc.edu/occi
Jun 8, 2026 | Curry Campus
SAVE-THE-DATE! The 2027 South Coast Writers Conference will take place February 12-13, 2027.
Thank you to the conference presenters, attendees, volunteers, planning committee, partners and staff members who helped us bring back the South Coast Writers Conference in 2026! Due to a successful turnout and positive attendee feedback, we’re excited to share the conference will return again over Presidents’ Day weekend in 2027 in Brookings, Oregon.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:
The South Coast Writers Conference brings together a collection of writers from the Northwest to share, explore, and celebrate the many facets of writing. The conference, held on Presidents’ Day weekend February 12 and 13, provides an opportunity for an extended stay to write and to explore the splendor of the southern Oregon Coast. The conference takes place on Southwestern’s Curry Campus (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway Brookings, OR 97415).
The conference is an eclectic gathering of writers of various genres including novice and published authors. The goal of this conference is to highlight local writers and inspire new writers while connecting them to local resources. The conference features some of the Northwest’s best writers to guide participants in an exploration of many writing genres.
HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, February 12, 2027
- Check-in & Writing Workshops (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Authors’ Night with Miriam Gershow (7:00 p.m.)
Saturday, February 13, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Check-in
- Welcome and Introductions
- Breakout Session 1
- Breakout Session 2
- Lunch
- Breakout Session 3
- Breakout Session 4
- Closing Activities
Interested? Please email us at scwc@socc.edu to be put on the email list for updates about the conference.
Jun 4, 2026 | Curry Campus, Curry News
BROOKINGS, Ore. – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus is pleased to invite the community to a presentation by Dennis Triglia titled “Voyage to the Galápagos Islands.” The event will take place on Thursday, June 11, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
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.
At the age of 19, Dennis embarked on his journey of international travel. Following his completion of college and graduate studies, he dedicated himself to a career as a biological research scientist.
Driven by a passion for exploration, Dennis aimed to visit diverse countries to achieve several goals: (1) to observe the rich biodiversity of endemic wildlife, unique geological formations, and expansive landscapes, (2) to engage with local communities and gain insights into cultures that differ from his own, (3) to acquire knowledge of a few foreign languages, (4) to indulge in local culinary offerings, and (5) to challenge himself by stepping outside his “comfort zone.”
Dennis has visited 40 countries across Europe, North America, Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa, capturing many photographs during his travels. He has previously delivered presentations at SWOCC regarding his adventures in Greenland and Greece.
Dennis is the President of the Brookings Oregon Monarch Associates (BOMA), an organization dedicated to the conservation of the iconic Monarch Butterfly, the creation of pollinator gardens, and the development of Monarch Waystations.
Please join us for this informative journey to several of Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands. Bring a friend.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. This presentation on June 11 will be the final one before the summer break. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
May 4, 2026 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News, OCCI News
Summer Term 2026-27 is quickly approaching, and Fall Term will be here before we know it!
- SUMMER TERM: Classes start Monday, June 22, 2026
- FALL TERM: Classes start Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
Below are instructions about how to register. If you are experiencing any issues registering after reading the below, please contact us:
- Coos Campus Students: Call 541-888-7352 or Email
- Curry Campus Students: Call 541-813-1667 or Email
REGISTRATION FOR DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE SEEKING STUDENTS:
If you are already a current/admitted student, below are instructions on registering.
Not a current or admitted student? You’ll need to first complete an Application for Admission to Southwestern** Not sure whether or not you’re an admitted student? Contact us using the information above! (**Note: If you’re a community member simply looking to take a credit class for fun or personal enrichment, you’ll complete the Community Education and Personal Enrichment Form in lieu of the Application for Admission).
SUMMER TERM: Credit classes begin Monday, June 22, 2026. Registration for credit classes is available May 4, 2026 – June 24, 2026 (From June 25 – July 1, you will first need instructor consent before registering for a class).
FALL TERM: Credit classes begin Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. Registration is available May 4, 2026 – Sept. 16, 2025 (From Sept. 17 – 23, you will first need instructor consent before registering for a class).
To register:
- First, clear with your advisor! If you’re unsure who your advisor is, you may call 541-888-7405 or schedule an advising meeting. Curry Campus students call 541-813-1667.
- Login to myLakerLink using your student ID and password.
- Search for courses to add under the appropriate term drop down. **Be sure you filter for credit classes (NOT community education classes)**
REGISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY CLASSES (COMMUNITY EDUCATION):
Summer Term 2026-27 community education class registration opens Monday, June 1 at 8:00 a.m. To register, follow the instructions on the top of the community class page. Classes offered for the term will post on the page prior to registration opening.
Stay tuned! Information about Fall Term 2026-27 community education class registration will become available later this summer.
As a reminder, all academic term dates and other important milestones may be found on the Academic Calendar. Click on the “2026-27 Academic Calendar” button, or click on the “categories” button and filter for “instructional calendar” to view the online version.
Apr 22, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 14, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for a presentation on Adventures in South Africa by Vicki Gorham.
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.
Vicki and her husband Bill have been traveling internationally for many years. To date, they have made five trips to Africa, mostly to South Africa, and have taken numerous photos and short videos.
Vicki became interested in photography when they were living in Australia in 2010 and 2011. She found the Australian wildflowers to be unique and captivating and purchased her first camera while living there. That quickly spiraled into an interest in photographing birds, as she found the birdlife in Australia to be especially colorful and diverse.
Since then, photographing wildlife has been an ongoing passion, with African animals proving to be some of the most challenging and interesting of all their travels, offering abundant photo opportunities as they’ve driven around the continent.
Please join us for this photographic journey into South Africa. In addition, there will be lots of stories about Bill and Vicki’s interactions with wildlife including elephants, rhinos, cape buffalo, and lions.
Bring a friend and stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series.
The presentation on June 11 will be the final one before the summer break and will be about the Galapagos Islands. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
