Jan 23, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for a presentation by Bill Gorham, marine biologist “Tide Pools of the South Coast of Oregon”.
Bill Gorham is a marine biologist who has been diving, beachcombing, and tide pooling around the world. For the past eight years he’s walked his dogs on the Chrissey Fields beaches more than 4,000 times and photographed a wonderful array of critters, tracks, sea states, and washed-up treasures. He’s keen to share that experience with all others who love the ocean and all its surprises. If you slow down, look down (and up), you will see the little (and big) things that are hiding in plain sight.
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.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks during winter term will focus on the nature all around us. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Jan 9, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 pm, for “Pollinators at the Coast: Supporting Honeybees and Native Species” with Ann Marineau of the Coos Beekeepers Association and Darcy Grahek of Stillwater Natives Nursery. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
Explore the vital role that honeybees and native pollinators play in our local ecosystems and food systems. Learn about the unique challenges pollinators face in our region today, including habitat loss, climate impacts, and pesticide exposure. The lecture will highlight how coastal environments influence pollinator health and showcase practical, science-based ways residents can support pollinators — particularly through pollinator-friendly yard and garden choices. Discover how small, local actions can help create healthier habitats where pollinators can thrive.
For more information about this lecture contact DeAnne Varitek, Dean of Career Technical Education at Southwestern at deanne.varitek@socc.edu or 541-888-7312.
To learn more about Southwestern’s Agroecology program visit: https://www.socc.edu/agroecology.
Jan 6, 2026 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm, for “LEDs: Lighting the Way into the Future” with Frazier Pruett, Engineering Faculty at Southwestern. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Lecture:
LEDs: Lighting the Way to the Future explores how light-emitting diodes have transformed modern lighting. Learn the fundamental science behind how LEDs produce light and how they are significantly more efficient and durable than traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Understand how these advantages translate into reduced energy consumption and environmental impact.
About the Presenter:
Frazier Pruett graduated from the University of Florida in 1984 with a degree in Electrical Engineering after spending over a decade as a professional electronic technician and hobbyist. He has worked as a professional design engineer since then in various types of power conversion designs. These power conversion systems have a wide range of applications across many fields and sectors. His specialty is lighting drivers for incandescent, fluorescent, HID, UHP, LEDs, and LASERs. He holds more than 25 patents in various fields. Frazier currently owns Bespoke Power and co-owns Emgen Engineering, two local engineering consulting firms. He is also part-time engineering faculty at Southwestern Oregon Community College.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor, Physics and Engineering at aaron.coyner@socc.edu or 541-888-7244.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Cassie Coyner, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or cassie.coyner@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Jan 5, 2026 | Curry Campus
UPDATE: REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!
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 13 and 14, provides an opportunity for an extended stay to write and to explore the splendor of the southern Oregon Coast.
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.
This year features workshop presenters across genres from poetry to graphic novels. On Friday, you can choose from three all-day workshops, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for $80. On Saturday, four 90-minute workshop sessions are offered between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with multiple options available in each session, for $85. The price for both days is $165. Authors’ night features the keynote speaker at 7:00pm on Friday, February 13, and is free and open to the public.
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 5, 2026!
The cost of the conference will be as follows:
$165 for both days
$85 for Saturday only
$80 for Friday only
After February 1:
$175 for both days
$95 for Saturday only
$90 for Friday only
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
Click the button for a comprehensive agenda and biographies of presenters.
Agenda & Presenter Bios
High-level Conference Overview:
Friday, February 13, 2026
- Check-in
- Writing Workshops – Three options
- Authors’ Night with Miriam Gershow
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Check-in
- Welcome and Introductions
- Breakout Session 1 – Four options
- Breakout Session 2 – Four options
- Lunch
- Breakout Session 3 – Four options
- Breakout Session 4 – Four options
- Closing Activities
Please email us at scwc@socc.edu to be put on the email list for updates about the conference. Questions? Call 541-813-1667 for more information.
Dec 22, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for a presentation by Rick Serman, Retired Superintendent of the Redwood National and State Parks: Stories of the Redwood Parks.
Rick Sermon worked more than fifty years among the forests and redwood parks along the California coast and has stories about the majestic giants that you will not want to miss. Rick will present the natural history of the redwoods and the cultural history going back to the gathering at the Bohemian Grove in 1917 that was instrumental in saving the redwoods.
Only 5% of the old growth redwoods still exists. Rick will tell us about how these remaining trees were saved and discuss their future.
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.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks during winter term will focus on the nature all around us. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Dec 18, 2025 | Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is proud to announce the successful approval of its Dual Credit programming by the Oversight Committee for High School Based College Credit Partnerships. This approval, granted on October 20, 2025, follows a comprehensive self-study and peer review process and is valid through 2032.
The committee’s decision affirms the strength, quality, and impact of SWOCC’s partnerships with regional high schools, as well as the college’s commitment to expanding access to higher education for students across its service area. Special recognition is extended to Forrest Akers for his leadership and dedication to the success of the Dual Credit program.
“Forrest Akers’ exceptional leadership in our Dual Credit program is deeply valued by the College. His work strengthens SWOCC’s role as a statewide model and positively impacts our students and community,” said Rachele Lyon, Vice President of Administrative Services at Southwestern.
Peer reviewers highlighted SWOCC’s exceptional practices and student-centered approach, noting that:
“The college demonstrates exceptional practices that support students and foster a sense of belonging within the educational community.”
“SWOCC provides clear and comprehensive evidence of its efforts and excels at keeping high school faculty well-informed and actively engaged.”
As part of the review, SWOCC received a perfect score of 5, the highest possible rating, on 12 of the 28 evaluated standards. Fifteen additional standards were scored between 4 and 5, with only one standard receiving a score below 4. Overall, SWOCC achieved one of the highest ratings in the state, reflecting a strong alignment with best practices and a clear focus on student access and success.
“This approval affirms the academic quality and integrity of SWOCC’s Dual Credit program,” said Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern. “By closely aligning high school instruction with college-level curriculum and supporting teachers through faculty mentorship, we ensure students receive a rigorous, meaningful experience that prepares them for continued success in higher education.”
SWOCC’s Dual Credit Program plays a critical role in removing barriers to higher education by offering college-level courses directly within local high schools. These courses are taught by high school teachers who are mentored and supported by SWOCC faculty, ensuring academic quality while maintaining a familiar and supportive learning environment for students.
Unlike many dual credit programs statewide, SWOCC does not charge school districts or students for participation. This no-cost model significantly expands access to college coursework, allowing students to earn transferable college credits without incurring tuition expenses. Courses offered include Writing, English Literature, Mathematics, History, General Biology, Allied Health, and more.
Through this program, students can complete general education requirements at no cost and carry their earned credits forward – whether they continue at SWOCC or transfer to a four-year university. By reducing financial barriers, supporting instructional quality, and fostering early college success, SWOCC’s Dual Credit Program directly addresses access to education and creates meaningful pathways to postsecondary achievement.
“Dual credit classes allow students to earn real college credit while still in high school, all in a supportive and familiar setting,” said Forrest Akers. “Because SWOCC does not charge students for these courses, we are helping them save money, build confidence, and take a strong first step toward their college and career goals.”
SWOCC remains committed to strengthening educational access, equity, and opportunity for students throughout the region and is proud of the continued success of its Dual Credit partnerships.
For more information about Southwestern’s Dual Credit program, call 541-888-7185, email collegenow@socc.edu, or visit www.socc.edu/get-started/admissions/high-school-partnerships.
