Jan 2, 2025 | Community, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation in collaboration with the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) invites guests 21 years and older to attend Uncorking Opportunity! on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The event featuring fantastic food, fun and friends takes place from 6-8 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
This is the Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser and biggest event of the year. Enjoy an evening of conversation and delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by student chefs and specially paired with Oregon wines provided by well-known wineries from the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys. The event also features both a silent and small live auction of adventures and fun learning opportunities.
Tickets are $95 per person, available at www.socc.edu/give. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds and funds raised go to scholarships for culinary students and others pursuing degrees and training at Southwestern’s Coos and Curry campuses.
This year’s sponsors to-date include: Al Peirce Co., Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Coos Bay Vision Center, Umpqua Bank, NW Natural, Scott Partney Construction, Bradford McKeown Financial Advisor and The Mill Casino-Hotel. Participating wineries include: Elk Cove Winery, Kriselle Cellars, Abacella Winery, Dobbes Family Winery, Willamette Valley Vineyards and King Estate.
Examples of some of the auction adventure items include:
- Tickets to an exclusive Winemaker’ Dinner featuring King Estate Vineyards and the college’s culinary competition team in April 2025
- Private OCCI Group Cooking Class
- Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
- A night at the Ashland Springs Hotel with a Shakespeare play
- One-Week Stay in Hawaii
- “Name Your Own” Scholarship
…and so much more!
Space is limited! It is highly recommended people secure tickets in advance. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To purchase tickets, go to www.socc.edu/give. For more information, contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
SWOCC Foundation Uncorking Opportunity! Event Overview:
**Important: Guests must be 21+ years old**
- Date/Time: Friday, January 31, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.
- Location: OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave. Coos Bay, OR
- RSVP: Reservations are highly encouraged as space is limited. Secure your spot by purchasing at socc.edu/give. Call 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
- Cost: $95 per person – Includes 6+ wine & hors d’oeuvre pairings; access to silent/live auction and an evening of fun conversation with OCCI student chefs. 100% of ticket proceeds goes directly to student scholarships.
About the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has supported the College to improve people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising and fundraising. The College serves Curry, Coos and western Douglas county residents’ needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes. For more information about the foundation, visit www.socc.edu/foundation.
Jan 2, 2025 | Community, Curry News, Foundation, News, OCCI News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is accepting scholarship applications to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Any credit-seeking student—those pursuing a degree or certificate—planning to attend Southwestern during the 2025-26 academic year is encouraged to apply. Applications are open January 1 – March 1, 2025, at www.socc.edu/scholarships.
With one simple application, students can be considered for multiple scholarships. Students who apply by 11:59 p.m. on February 1, 2025, will be eligible to be considered for a $1,000 Early Bird Scholarship. The final deadline for all applications is 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Thanks to the generosity of community donors, Southwestern Foundation awards more than $300,000 in scholarships annually. These funds are available to students pursuing nearly every field of study at the College’s Coos and Curry campuses and at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI).
Workshops to Help You Succeed!
Need help with your scholarship application? Have questions about the FAFSA/financial aid? Join us at one of our FREE workshops!
Scholarship Writing Seminar – Build confidence and learn tips for writing strong essays.
Coos Campus, Empire Hall Lakeview E (above cafeteria)
- Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025:
- Session 1 = 11:00 a.m. – Noon
- Session 2 = 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Drop-In Workshops – Get personalized, in-person help from financial aid and scholarship experts. Bring your specific FAFSA or scholarship questions, or use this time to work on your application with representatives on site. Computers will be available for use.
Coos Campus, Tioga 301 (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay):
- Monday, Jan 27 @ 1:00 – 3:00pm
- Friday, Feb 7 @ 3:00 – 5:00pm
- Thursday, Feb 13 @ 10:00 – 12:00pm
- Wednesday, Feb 26th @ 4:00 – 6:00pm
Curry Campus, Room 232 (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings):
- Tuesday, Jan 28th @ 10:30 – 2:30pm
A Legacy of Support for Students
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has helped thousands of students achieve their educational and training dreams by breaking down financial barriers. Scholarships make it possible for students to focus on their education, build skills and prepare for future career success.
Interested in supporting Southwestern students? Visit www.socc.edu/give to learn how you can contribute.
Contact Information
For more information about Southwestern Foundation scholarships, visit www.socc.edu/scholarships, email foundation@socc.edu or call 541-888-7209.
Aug 29, 2024 | Foundation, News, OCCI News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is proud to congratulate the 2024-25 scholarship recipients. Thanks to generous donors, the organization awarded nearly 200 scholarships totaling more than $300,000 for students attending Southwestern for the upcoming academic year.
“Students who receive scholarships tell us that it helps them get started on a goal they thought they couldn’t achieve,” said Karen Pringle Cunningham, SWOCC Foundation Board of Trustees member. “It boosts self-confidence and relieves a financial burden for them and their families. Seeing a thank you letter from a student you helped is a rewarding experience.”
Guided by a board of community volunteers, the Southwestern Foundation organized as a nonprofit organization in 1962, the year after the college started. Since then, thousands of students have attended the college and received Foundation scholarships. These awards help students by breaking down financial barriers and inspiring students to better their lives and futures.
If you are interested in donating to scholarships or volunteering with the Southwestern Foundation visit www.socc.edu/give or call 541-888-7209 for additional information.
2024-25 Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation Scholarship Recipients
| SCHOLARSHIP |
RECIPIENT(S) |
| Andy Toribio Scholarship |
Sonia |
Haro |
| Ann Lansing Scholarship |
Steven |
Scruggs |
| Alicia |
Ames |
| Art and Toni Poole Scholarship |
Jessi |
Knudsen |
| Rylee |
Madison |
| Angel |
Garcia |
| Samuel |
LaGore |
| Isabelle |
Enright |
| Lily |
Gagnier |
| Brayden |
Lester |
| Kirra |
Cooley |
| Barbara Dodrill Scholarship |
Rebecca |
Healy |
| Barbara Emily Knudson Scholarship |
Emily |
Peck |
| Barbara Reynolds Scholarship |
Gio |
Castro |
| Baughman Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship |
Dylan |
Kamph |
| Bay Area Picklers Scholarship |
Akshat |
Akshat |
| Bay Area Sportsman’s Association (BASA) Scholarship |
Kacee |
Ligons |
| Bechtold-Laird Health Care Scholarship |
Taryn |
Hurley |
| Ryan |
Cook |
| Bezzerides Scholarship |
Kylie |
Shaw-Kamehaiku |
| Dani |
Marshall |
| Cherie J. Mitchell Scholarship |
Jade |
Bernhardt |
| Cherish Pride Scholarship |
Lindsey |
Tatakis |
| Christine Moffitt Science Scholarship |
Jaclyn |
Young |
| Gracie |
Peach |
| Cole |
Roberts |
| Gabbard |
Herring |
| Heidi |
Graves |
| Chuck Hanners Scholarship |
Taylor |
Weidemiller |
| Clyde and Jackie Cherry Memorial Scholarship |
Nicole |
Hamby-Freund |
| Natasha |
Holmes |
| Coastal Clay Pottery Guild Scholarship |
Tori |
Goodell |
| Coos Bay Surfrider Scholarship |
Jaydenn |
Gamboa |
| Coos Bay Vision Center Scholarship |
Michelle |
McKiddy |
| Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Scholarship |
Vanessa |
Cardoso |
| Coos County Realtors Scholarship |
Ning |
Zhao |
| Coquille Indian Tribe Scholarship |
Katie |
Gauntz |
| CTE Training Scholarship |
Quinn |
Komok |
| Curry Campus General Scholarship |
Brooke |
Gray |
| Gracie |
Brozdounoff |
| Alannah |
Clark |
| Dean and Jane Muffett Memorial Scholarship |
Kyla |
Bailey-Wilson |
| DeArmond CTE Scholarship |
AbbieGail |
Michael |
| Autum |
Burford |
| James |
Loetzerich |
| Auguste |
Ledji |
| Brittany |
Mueller |
| Dennis and Janet Beetham Family Scholarship |
Khobi |
Carmichel |
| Sam |
Hayes |
| Breck |
Jones |
| Samaan |
Abdul Aziz |
| Aubrey |
Brooks |
| Lars |
Knudsen |
| Cainan |
Stewart |
| Haydenn |
Matzner |
| Cameron |
Miller |
| Luke |
Norris |
| Stuart |
Kayanja |
| Tate |
Vigna |
| Donald Ivy Memorial Scholarship |
Mariah |
Hill |
| Dorothy Heagy Education Scholarship |
Aeryn |
Jones |
| Early Bird Scholarship |
Takemasa |
Okawa |
| Ernest L. Frye-Keizer Memorial Scholarship |
Katie |
Berger |
| Estella Morgan Memorial |
Michelle |
McKiddy |
| Flaxel Family Scholarship |
Holly |
Ullha-Reams |
| *Anonymous |
|
| Floyd Ingram Scholarship |
Marisol |
Carreno Yanez |
| Jackson |
Brazil |
| Lupita |
Trujillo |
| Godfred |
Amonoo |
| Forty & Eight Bobby L. Fraser Memorial Nursing Scholarship |
Jessica |
Jones |
| Hales Family Scholarship |
Nolan |
Black |
| Karli |
Daugherty |
| Jacob |
Montenero |
| Henry F. and Elva H. Hansen Memorial Scholarship |
Samantha |
Ward |
| ILWU Local 12 Scholarship |
Kaitlyn |
Dubisar |
| Jack & Margaret S. Dean Scholarship |
Alexa |
Crum |
| James Montalbano Scholarship |
Shyla |
Jorgensen |
| Adrean |
McGuire |
| Jessica |
Jones |
| Kiefer |
Allen |
| James Reed VanDuzer IV Scholarship |
Diego |
London |
| Jody McCaffree Social & Environmental Justice Scholarship |
Michelle |
Riley |
| John C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship |
Kaela |
Hickox |
| Aryanna |
Corrales |
| John W. Burles Memorial Scholarship |
Jasmin |
Mitchell |
| Abby |
Jessen |
| Taylor |
Weidemiller |
| *Anonymous |
|
| Keiser Scholarship for Culinary Excellence |
Brooklyn |
Hansen |
| Oliver |
Cowan |
| Stefania |
Tlachi |
| Kyle Trust Scholarship |
Holden |
Guzman |
| Laker Legacy Alumni Scholarship |
Hannah |
Tanner |
| Leonard C. Farr Community Service Scholarship |
Brooklyn |
Hansen |
| Linda Bufton Culinary Scholarship |
Monica |
Florez |
| Linda Kallgren Donaldson Nursing Scholarship |
Shantaya |
Cotton |
| Lisa G. Wampole Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice |
Shyla |
Applegate |
| Lyon/Orr Family Scholarship |
Lilly |
Dubisar |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship |
Isaiah |
Wilson |
| Mary, Kate and Cap Sharples Scholarship |
Makenzie |
Alexander |
| Maxine Smith Scholarship |
Stephanie |
Horn |
| May Virginia Smith VanDuzer Scholarship |
Sayana |
Phillips |
| Maybelle M. Olson Scholarship |
Hayley |
Brophy |
| Menasha Legacy Fund Scholarship |
Aimie |
Bussmann |
| Menasha Legacy Fund Scholarship |
Hope |
Schrag |
| Stephen |
Votaw |
| Asher |
Vredenburg |
| Brenna |
Watkins |
| Keagan |
Morris |
| *Anonymous |
|
| Mike Groben Scholarship |
Dezi |
Hazzard |
| Vincent |
Monaco |
| Military Families Scholarship |
Annalisa |
Norland |
| N/A Tuition Certificate donated |
Kaleb |
Clason |
| Nancy Douglas Memorial Scholarship |
Ava |
Bolster |
| New Beginnings for Tribal Students Scholarship |
Oliver |
Merritt |
| Ray |
Slocomb |
| Kota |
Bear |
| Kacee |
Ligons |
| Brooke |
Williams |
| Pacific Orchid Society Scholarship |
Irelyn |
Gibbs |
| Patricia Benetti Memorial Scholarship |
Rami |
Escure |
| Tia |
DeLorto |
| Patricia D. and William B. Smullin Scholarship |
Gracie |
Andrews |
| Garrett |
Bushnell |
| Paul Cameron Rients Memorial Scholarship |
Dominic |
Duckett |
| Presbyterian Church of Coos Bay Memorial Scholarship |
Ashlea |
Gottschalk |
| Carly |
Nair |
| *Anonymous |
|
| Randy Carpenter Memorial Scholarship |
Charles |
Woodruff |
| Bobbi |
Rangel |
| Roderick H. Morris Scholarship |
Brenden |
Kirby |
| Sandra Martinez & Carrie Kralicek Selfless Act Nursing Scholarship |
Shyla |
Jorgensen |
| Sharon Barnett Scholarship |
Trillian |
Zotti |
| Sharon Kolkhorst Memorial Nursing Scholarship |
Ruby |
Cardoso |
| Sheryl Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship |
Taarna |
Lancaster |
| Shirley Barton Nursing Scholarship |
Ashley |
Watkins |
| Sickels Family Rural College Technology Scholarship |
Taylor |
Sheppard |
| Takeru |
Onozaki |
| Slaney Family Human Services Scholarship |
Alexis |
Rogers |
| Slaney Family Scholarship |
Emma |
Spalding |
| Stephens Family Scholarship |
Savannah |
Doughty |
| Annalisa |
Norland |
| Steve Shirtcliff CASA Scholarship |
*Anonymous |
|
| Student of the Year Scholarship |
Mark |
Gutierrez |
| SWOCC Foundation Board General Scholarship |
Chanel |
Greenwood |
| Shyla |
Applegate |
| Dustin |
Ledford |
| Taya |
Torres |
| Denese |
Abeyta |
| Morgan |
Herring |
| Rachel |
Jones |
| RayAnne |
Lockett |
| June |
Markum |
| SWOCC Foundation Culinary General Scholarship |
Zoe |
Andresen |
| Ashley |
Lavender |
| Olivia |
Fatooh |
| Mckenzie |
Palacios |
| Oliver |
Cowan |
| Stefania |
Tlachi |
| Fyn |
Elton |
| Sergio |
Rodriguez |
| Nathan |
Vance |
| Jasper |
Andersen |
| SWOCC Foundation General Nursing Scholarship |
Jessica |
Edmundson |
| Amanda |
Higgins |
| SWOCC Foundation General Scholarship |
Jeffrey |
Jennings |
| Wren |
Brown |
| Penelope |
Town |
| Paolo |
Flores |
| Cory |
Ricketts |
| Milagros |
Perez Nanez |
| Sonia |
Haro |
| Heather |
Beaird |
| Michael |
Knutsen |
| *Anonymous |
|
| The Friends of the Curry Public Library James Boyle Memorial Scholarship |
Zachary |
Renfro |
| TymByr Culinary Scholarship |
Jesse |
Spinella |
| Jennifer |
Parker |
| Uncork your Potential Scholarship |
Lily |
Isom |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Scholarship |
Rune |
Van Den Bosch |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Culinary and the Arts Scholarship |
Vanessa |
Barragan |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Ken Chard Scholarship |
Alannah |
Gee |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Nursing Scholarship |
Zubeda |
Ingabire |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Roos and Roos Scholarship |
Marcela |
Mendoza |
| Uncorking Opportunity! The Mill Casino Hotel Scholarship |
Dominic |
Duckett |
| Uncorking Opportunity! Warehouse Coffee Cafe Farm and Sea Scholarship |
Dawson |
Howerton |
| Vernon Brecke Memorial Scholarship |
Jill |
Holbrook |
| Vernon C. and Jean G. Sorenson Scholarship |
Mary |
Wolfe |
| William and Virginia Erickson Scholarship |
Mycah |
Nichols |
| Avineet |
Devi |
| William Lansing Scholarship |
Christopher |
Beil |
| Nevaeh |
Dewitt |
| Woolridge Myrtle Point Scholarship |
Hayley |
Brophy |
| Yellow Cab Taxi Scholarship |
Emmett |
Hawthorne |
| *Note: Some scholarship recipients request their award(s) not be listed publicly. The Foundation respects their privacy by not including them on this list. |
Jul 15, 2024 | Alumni, Community, Foundation, News
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites residents of the college district to learn about and offer comments on the mid-cycle update to the College’s master facilities plan 2020-30.
Southwestern is hosting an open house from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
The plan guides the College as it develops and adapts programs serving students and community members on the Curry and Coos campuses, with a vision toward leading and inspiring lifelong learning on the south Oregon coast. In updating the plan, the College is striving to manage its facilities and campuses with a long-term view toward economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Approaching the halfway point, the College wants to review the plan with stakeholders and listen to input on potential updates. Members of the public will have an opportunity to visit with planners and college staff, view schematics, ask questions and share thoughts.
Topics for discussion include program needs and space use, open spaces, accessibility, signage, lighting, technology, and other areas.
For more information, please contact Anne Farrell-Matthews, Communications Administrator at 541-888-7612 or amatthews@socc.edu.
Jul 3, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – The community is invited to join the inaugural SWOCC Foundation Classic, hosted by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bandon Dunes’ NEW course, Shorty’s (19-hole, par 3 course).
The SWOCC Foundation classic will welcome 20 teams, with four golfers per team. Individuals are welcome, too, and will be placed on teams. Tee times open every 15 minutes starting at 8 a.m., and golfers can select tee time preferences based on availability. This is a walking event.
Cost is $200 per person, or $750 per team. Funds raised go to support scholarships for students attending SWOCC Coos and Curry campuses. Event sponsorships also are available. For details on sponsoring, contact SWOCC Foundation at foundation@socc.edu, (541) 888-7209 or at Event Sponsor Registration and Event Individual Registration.
The SWOCC Foundation Classic is designed as a fun, low-key golf classic for golfers of all skill levels and ages. Meet SWOCC’s 2024-25 golf team athletes and new coach Kristopher Wood, a SWOCC alum. Curious about Shorty’s? Designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland and Keith Cutten, the new course features 19 “short” holes, rolling through natural dunes and shore pine terrain. Golfers can expect to spend about two and a half hours playing through the course. Learn more about the course here -> https://bandondunesgolf.com/golf/golf-courses/shortys/
In addition, golfers can make a full day of activity at the resort and enjoy additional time at Bandon Dunes’ 50-acre Practice Center, which includes two practice ranges, a putting green and Charlotte’s, the 9-hole, par-3 practice course.
For more information about the event and supporting scholarships, please contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or 541-888-7211, or email foundation@socc.edu.
May 26, 2024 | Alumni, Foundation
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, and first responders will always come to help us.
So when Southwestern Oregon Community College reached out for help closing the fundraising gap on a new Fire Training Tower in 2023, SWOCC Foundation was pleased to be a “first responder”.
Fast-forward to today, the new tower is open and serving as a fire and rescue training hub for students pursuing careers in structural firefighting and emergency response. That’s not all. The College is making sure this $1 million investment also will support ongoing professional training and enhance annual disaster response training events that can bring together lifesavers from fire departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, medical facilities, and ambulance firms.
“With the accelerating rate of wildfires near residential areas, it becomes increasingly important for our rural firefighters to be adequately trained. This new lab will allow us to do that,” said Foundation trustee Carolyn Thompson.
Now that municipal and volunteer fire departments also using the new fire tower lab, crews no longer have to leave the region for training. The College’s partner school Columbia Pacific Maritime also plans to provide professional mariners with maritime firefighting certification classes. Soon, this will be a new opportunity for mariners.
The modular 36-foot-tall steel structure meets International Building Code/National Fire Protection Association standards. It provides students, volunteers, and professionals space to practice a variety of skills, including:
- Interior search and rescue,
- Live fire drills to learn fire behavior and suppression,
- Safe ventilation operations,
- Aerial firefighting,
- Rappelling and ladder training,
- Day and night fire drills, response and rescue,
- Maritime/vessel fire response and rescue.
SWOCC Foundation also invests in fire science students by providing scholarships to assist with tuition and help students buy fire uniforms and safety gear. To learn more about giving to scholarships, call us and let’s chat (541) 888-7209 or donate now.
