May 20, 2024 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News, Student Success
Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 6:00 pm, for our Annual Student Research Symposium. In addition to the student presentations, a poster exhibit will be on display starting at 5:30 pm in the Umpqua Hall Main Lobby. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room 184 on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room 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.
Southwestern’s student SPEAR (STEAM, Pathways, Experimental, & Academic Research) Team is actively working on a variety of science research projects. Participation on the team teaches students valuable skills and allows them to gain hands-on experience.
Students within Physics, Engineering, Geology, Computer Science, Biology, Agroecology, and Sociology will be showcasing their work for the community. Our SPEAR team is led by Krystal Hopper Meyers and mentored by Professors Aaron Coyner, Win McLaughlin, and Derek Morrelli.
Some of the projects include:
- attempting to increase flight time for an electrical aircraft using magnetic induction,
- recent developments in nuclear propulsion,
- searching for micrometeorites within local storm drains and investigating if they were significant in supporting early plant life,
- researching the fossils, chronology, and relationship to Cascadia megathrust earthquakes at Fossil Point,
- comparing the composition and extent of the Oregon Coast basalt and if it correlates with Yellowstone hotspot or not,
- interplanetary ion population modeling working with a Lead Scientist at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio,
- locating never found before asteroids using data sent to us from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (PAN-STARRS) located at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii,
- statistical analysis of King Tide heights and frequencies working NOAA tidal data.
Many of these projects are supported by grants awarded through Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium.
Additionally, Professors Jason Bennett and Maria Farinacci have two students who will be presenting research on invasive Green Crabs. These students recently finished an internship with South Slough National Estuary Research Reserve Lead Scientist, Dr. Shon Schooler. Posters from Professor Dana Pertermann’s Sociology students’ will also be on display. Topics from their research include Indigenous culture and raising grandchildren, Japanese marriage customs and culture, the study of forensics in time over the last 100 years, and changes in the human diet.
Please join us and help support these students while learning more about the exciting things happening at the College within our STEAM programs!
For more information contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem.
May 7, 2024 | Curry Campus, Curry News, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to announce that selected credit classes during summer term are being offered on a “Two for One” deal. Register for one summer class and take another course for FREE!
Our “Two for One” summer deal allows students a cost-effective way to explore their options and career pathways. Do you need to get ahead on credits over the summer? Are you looking for a way to broaden your horizons? Maybe you only have a few credits left to earn your degree. There’s no better time to enroll at SWOCC.
Both classes students register for must be for credit. This offer excludes Oregon Coast Culinary Institute courses. All required fees and books are the student’s responsibility. The second class must be of equal or lesser value. Classes may be in-person or online and must be a minimum of three credits, with a maximum limit of two free classes. Tuition waiver will be added to student’s accounts on July 3, 2024.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to double your learning potential this summer at Southwestern!
For more information and to register contact the Student Success Center at 541-888-7352 for the Coos Campus, and 541-813-1667 for the Curry Campus.
Mar 31, 2024 | Curry News, Foundation, News, OCCI News
COOS BAY, OR — Experience an evening of culinary excellence and exquisite wines as the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute and Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation present the 2024 Winemakers’ Dinner on Saturday, May 4.
OCCI chefs present at the winemakers dinner.
The Winemakers’ Dinner immerses guests in an evening of conversation and storytelling with premier Oregon winery Willamette Valley Vineyards. Scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, the menu will pair six wines with the fine cuisine of award-winning OCCI Executive Chef Randy Torres and his student chefs. This multi-course meal will feature carefully crafted food and wine pairings that highlight the unique and complimentary attributes of spectacular Northwest cuisine.
Sit down among friends and listen as the storytelling starts relating the tale of Willamette Vineyards’ creator Jim Bernau’s dream to develop an old orchard overcome with blackberry vines into a world class winery known for producing the finest Pinot Noirs. The conversation will touch on propagation, terroir and the art of fermentation. Today, Willamette Valley Vineyards grows grapes in five regions and has assembled a team of winemakers who bring experiences from throughout the West Coast wine industry to create a wide array of award-winning wines.
The event is a collaborative fundraiser to showcase the skills of the college’s Culinary Competition Team and assist the college’s culinary program with investing in equipment. Having participated in the World Culinary Olympics this year, Chef Torres and his student chefs will talk about their experiences and their creative thoughts in creating the menu.
OCCI executive chef Randy Torres demonstrates plating to student chefs.
“It’s important to know that we invest 100% of the funds raised from tickets to this event directly into top-quality equipment for our kitchens,” said Chef Torres. “Likewise, being able to hire the finest chef instructors and inspire excellence in our students is a direct result of the college and community’s commitment to our students.”
Tickets for this fundraising event are $190 per person. Seating is limited. “We are grateful for this support and ultimately being able to support the local economy and provide excellent chefs for the tourism and culinary industries,” Torres said.
For more information or to purchase seats, please contact the Southwestern Foundation at (541) 888-7209, email foundation@socc.edu. or go to www.socc.edu/give.
Mar 12, 2024 | Community, Curry News
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, March 14, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for “Curry County Watersheds and You!”.
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.
The Curry Watersheds Partnership is a group of non-regulatory organizations working together to help local landowners and communities keep our shared lands and rivers healthy and sustainable. The Curry Watersheds Partnership includes the Curry Soil and Water Conservation District, the South Coast and Lower Rogue Watershed Councils, and the Curry Watersheds Nonprofit. Our staff and dedicated network of volunteers are focused on improving our watershed health through community-based restoration efforts, scientific monitoring, and educating the public through local schools and community presentations.
Guest Speakers Kelly Timchak, Robie Lascheck and Liesl Coleman:
Kelly Timchak always knew she wanted to work in creeks and rivers. She previously worked for the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Science in Fisheries from the University of New Brunswick, Canada. Kelly is the Lower Rogue Watershed Coordinator.
Robie Lascheck has a passion for mountain lakes and crystal-clear rivers. He received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon, and Master of Environmental Management from Portland State University. He has worked on a variety of natural resource monitoring projects. His tool set includes natural resource monitoring, data analysis, and GIS. He is the South Coast Watershed Council Coordinator.
Liesl Coleman is a happy and hardworking Manager at Curry Soil and Water Conservation District. One of the things she loves most about the work of the Curry Watersheds Partnership is building relationships that endure and create respectful stewardship of the watershed.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks this spring will focus on travel and tourism and the Wild Rivers Film Festival. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Feb 21, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, Curry News, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Veterans Center presents “VA S.A.V.E. Training,” Friday, March 1, 2024, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, with time for questions after the presentation.
This free training will be held on Southwestern’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) in the Eden Hall lecture room, and will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwesternOR/streams.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
What is VA S.A.V.E. Training?
VA S.A.V.E. Training will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention: S – Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized; A – Ask the most important question of all: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”; V – Validate the Veteran’s experience; E – Encourage treatment and expedite getting help.
Our presenter is Ariana Ryzebol, MSW, LCSW who is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the United States Veteran’s Administration, based in North Bend, OR. She has been in this position for three years. Ariana is from California’s Bay Area and has been in Oregon since 2014. Ryzebol completed her master’s in social work from California State University, East Bay in 2014 and has been licensed as a clinical social worker in the State of Oregon since 2020.
For more information, please contact Shana Brazil, Southwestern’s Veterans Service Coordinator at 541-888-7236 or email sbrazil@socc.edu.
For information regarding Veterans at Southwestern visit: www.socc.edu/veterans.
Feb 13, 2024 | Curry Campus, Curry News
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, March 14, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for “Curry County Watersheds and You!”.
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.
The Curry Watersheds Partnership is a group of non-regulatory organizations working together to help local landowners and communities keep our shared lands and rivers healthy and sustainable. The Curry Watersheds Partnership includes the Curry Soil and Water Conservation District, the South Coast and Lower Rogue Watershed Councils, and the Curry Watersheds Nonprofit. Our staff and dedicated network of volunteers are focused on improving our watershed health through community-based restoration efforts, scientific monitoring, and educating the public through local schools and community presentations.
Guest Speakers Kelly Timchak, Robie Lascheck and Liesl Coleman:
Kelly Timchak always knew she wanted to work in creeks and rivers. She previously worked for the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Science in Fisheries from the University of New Brunswick, Canada. Kelly is the Lower Rogue Watershed Coordinator.
Robie Lascheck has a passion for mountain lakes and crystal-clear rivers. He received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon, and Master of Environmental Management from Portland State University. He has worked on a variety of natural resource monitoring projects. His tool set includes natural resource monitoring, data analysis, and GIS. He is the South Coast Watershed Council Coordinator.
Liesl Coleman is a happy and hardworking Manager at Curry Soil and Water Conservation District. One of the things she loves most about the work of the Curry Watersheds Partnership is building relationships that endure and create respectful stewardship of the watershed.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks this spring will focus on travel and tourism and the Wild Rivers Film Festival. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667. To learn more about Southwestern’s Curry Campus visit www.socc.edu/curry.
