Jan 27, 2026 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 am, for a visit with Oregon State University’s (OSU) College of Forestry, including a presentation from guest speaker, Dr. John Bailey, and a demonstration from OSU’s Logging Sports Team. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in Lakeview E, F, and G at 10:00 am for Dr. Bailey’s presentation, followed by a demonstration outside in Henry Hansen Square (the quad) at 11:00 am from the Logging Sports Team 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 presentation and demonstrations will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Guest Speaker:
Dr. John Bailey graduated from Oregon State University in 1996 with a PhD in Forest Science. He is a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry in the Forest Engineering, Resources and Management department (FERM), as well as the Forest Ecosystems & Society Department (FES). His research focuses on using traditional and experimental silviculture practices to achieve a spectrum of objectives in a landscape, including commodity production, habitat creation, fire risk reduction, and ecosystem restoration. His classes focus on wildland fire science and silviculture.
About the Logging Sports Team:
Housed within Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, the Logging Sports Team is open to all OSU students. The team travels to competitions in the Western U.S., including Humboldt State University, and the University of Idaho, Moscow. Additionally, members of the team compete in meets sanctioned by the American Lumberjack Association throughout the U.S., and some have traveled to Canada. The team competes in events that include the axe throw, birling (“log roll”), buck sawing, caber toss, choker race, chopping, limber pole, technical events, and the tree climb.
For more information about the lecture series contact DeAnne Varitek, Dean of Career & Technical Education at deanne.varitek@socc.edu or 541-888-7312.
To learn more about Southwestern’s Forestry & Natural Resources program visit: https://www.socc.edu/forestry/.
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
Registration for the 2026 Conference is now closed.
**NEW** The Chetco Community Public Library will hold a FREE Early Bird Reception Thursday, February 12, 2026 (See “schedule overview” below for details)
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 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.
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
The conference takes place on Southwestern’s Curry Campus (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings, OR 97415)
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
**NEW** THURSDAY, FEB. 12 @ 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – FREE Chetco Community Public Library Early Bird Reception
The public is invited to a FREE early bird reception ahead of the South Coast Writers Conference! Get to know early conference arrivals from 3-5pm on Thursday, 2/12, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about the upcoming workshops and presenters. This event is presented in partnership with the South Coast Writers Conference and Southwestern Oregon Community College. (Food allergy disclaimer: We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens).
Location: Chetco Community Public Library
405 Alder St
Brookings, OR 97415
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.
