OCCI News Archives - Southwestern Oregon Community College

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute offers a Prepared Dinner and Chocolates & Sweets for Valentine’s Day

Jan 19, 2023 | Community, News, OCCI News

Coos Bay, OR – The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute’s (OCCI) Culinary Competition Team is offering a three-course take-home meal for two to share with your Valentine. Proceeds from the sale support the team’s travel to competitions around the country.

PRE-ORDER IS NECESSARY: You must pre-order by Friday, February 10, 2023. Pick up is at OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, February 14.

This meal for two is prepared and ready to serve. Cost is $65 for the dinner; $80 if you’d like a bottle of wine included. On the menu: Caesar Salad, Focaccia, Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce & Spicy Sausage, Heart Shaped Cheesecake and four Chocolate Covered Strawberries. To pre-order, email lapatisserie@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309.

Looking for sweet treats only? OCCI’s La Patisserie is having a chocolate and sweets sale as well. Pre-order is not necessary. Just come to OCCI between 10 am and 1 pm on Tuesday, February 14 and pick out your favorites.

Items include:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries (GF): $5 each, $15 for six
Selection of Chocolates (GF): $7 box of four, $18 box of 12
Red Velvet Cupcakes: $18 for four
6-Pack Macarons (GF): $8
Heart-Shaped Cheesecake (GF available): $12
8” Flourless Chocolate Torte (GF): $15
6-Pack Sugar Cookies: $12

Questions? Email lapatisserie@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309. Thank you for supporting our students in this fundraising event.

APPLY NOW! Southwestern Foundation Scholarships

Jan 10, 2023 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News, OCCI News

Are you planning to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College in the 2023-24 academic year? If so, you are encouraged to apply for scholarships!

Thanks to generous donors, the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation awards nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually to students attending Southwestern. Any student planning to attend college during the 2023-24 academic year is encouraged to apply. This includes both full-time and part-time students.

Applications are available annually January 1 – March 1. For all the details and to apply, visit www.socc.edu/scholarships.

One application will automatically apply students to all the scholarships to which they qualify.
Early bird incentive! Applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on February 1 are eligible to qualify for an additional $1,000 scholarship.
All applications are DUE BY 11:59 P.M. on MARCH 1, 2023. No exceptions.

Questions about Southwestern Foundation scholarships? Contact foundation@socc.edu or call 541-888-7209.

Popular Uncorking Opportunity! Scholarship Event Returns to Culinary Institute

Dec 14, 2022 | News, OCCI News

Southwestern Oregon Community College and the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) will host Uncorking Opportunity! on Friday, Jan. 20. The event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.

This is Southwestern Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser. It features and evening of excellent hors d’oeurves and creations by OCCI chefs and student chefs, paired with wines from vineyards throughout the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys.

Tickets are $95 per person. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to scholarships for students at the culinary institute and students pursuing degrees and training at the college’s Coos and Curry campuses.

This year’s sponsors include: 7 Devils Brewery, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Banner Bank, Coos Bay Vision Center, DB Western, Morrison Gederos Construction, North Bend Medical Centers and the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission. Participating wineries include Abacela, Brandborg, Elk Cove, King’s Estate, Kriselle Cellars, Meadows Estate and Willamette Vineyards.

To purchase and reserve tickets, please go to www.socc.edu/give. For more information, please contact the Foundation at (541) 888-7209 or (541)-888-7211 or email foundation@socc.edu.

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 counties resident’s needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes.

American Culinary Federation (ACF) Team USA Visits OCCI

Oct 10, 2022 | News, OCCI News

On Monday, October 17, 2022, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Team USA participants will visit the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) to practice for an upcoming international competition. Community members are invited to a special luncheon for 100 people as part of their training.

ACF Team USA Luncheon Logistics:

Date/Time: Monday, Oct. 17 from Noon – 1:45 p.m.
Cost: $35
Location: OCCI at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Menu: Three-course meal consisting of fish, port and a dessert; no additional details. No substitutions or special requests.
RSVP: Reservations required. Email occi@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309.
- Seating available every 15 minutes from noon – 1:45 p.m.
- Limited to 100 RSVPs. First-come, first-served.
- No parties larger than six.

The ACF Team USA is made of professional chefs from around the country. They will work with OCCI faculty and students during their visit. OCCI Executive Director Randy Torres serves as Team USA’s Assistant Manager and OCCI alum Elena Smith is an apprentice on the team.

“The ACF Team sets the standard of excellence in the culinary industry. It’s inspiring for our students to see them in action and work alongside them,” said Chef Randy Torres. “We are fortunate for the exposure this visit provides our students and local community.”

ACF Team USA is currently preparing for the for the Culinary World Cup 2022 in Luxembourg, taking place this November. The event is one of the largest and most important competitions in the world with more than 30 teams from across the globe. Local OCCI students will assist at the event. Part of the competition requires the chefs to prepare a three-course meal for 100 people.

To learn more about OCCI and the culinary program offered through Southwestern Oregon Community College visit: www.socc.edu/occi.

OCCI Alum Represents The United States In Prestigious International Culinary Competition

Oct 6, 2022 | News, OCCI News

Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) alum and SWOCC Foundation scholarship recipient Elena Smith is competing in the 2022 Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition. It is taking place in Mexico City October 5 – 9, 2022. Elena is representing the United States in this prestigious culinary competition designed to support and promote future young chefs.

The first competition organized in 1977 with the goal of providing an opportunity for young chefs to demonstrate their skills. The event continues to grow annually and has been featured on the TV Food Network and CNN.

In the United States, competition begins at the provincial level. Proprietors, managers, chefs and culinary instructors at Chaîne affiliated restaurants, hotels, culinary schools and Chaîne members within each of the ten regions can propose candidates. Contestants are then selected.

Southwestern’s OCCI students are no strangers to this competition! OCCI alum Reilly Meehan represented the United States in 2011 and went on to win the International Young Chef Competition put on by the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. He remains the only American to do so.

For more information about our culinary and baking and pastry arts programs, click HERE.

Southwestern Foundation Congratulates 2022-23 Scholarship Recipients

Aug 24, 2022 | Curry Campus, News, OCCI News

Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is proud to congratulate their 2022-23 scholarship recipients. Thanks to generous donors, the organization awarded nearly 190 scholarships totaling more than $275,000 for students attending Southwestern for the upcoming academic year.

“With the rising cost of basic living expenses, these scholarships are often the choice factor for students pursuing their education or not,” said Elise Hamner, Southwestern Foundation Executive Director. “We are so appreciative of donors who see this need and step up for students. Year after year, students tell us a scholarship is more than just a financial impact. Knowing someone believes in you is the inspiration a person needs to push on with career training. When Southwestern’s students succeed, it’s a win for students, families and our communities.”

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 using Foundation scholarships. These awards inspire students to achieve their goals and give back to our community.

In addition to Foundation scholarships, the college can potentially assist families of current high school graduates with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 or higher with a free two-year tuition waiver worth more than $9,450 to attend Southwestern. Program-specific tuition waivers may also be available. This past year, 31 students from the 10 high schools in the college district took advantage of the GPA award opportunity. In total, they saved their families nearly $150,000 in tuition costs. If you are interested in donating to Southwestern Foundation scholarships visit www.socc.edu/give or call 541-888-7211 for additional information.

2022-23 SWOCC Foundation Scholarship Recipients

SCHOLARSHIP*	RECIPIENT
ACE Scholarship	I-Fang Chen
Andy Toribio Scholarship	Jalaika Sali
Ann Lansing Scholarship	Xiaoxiao Esty Ximena Fernandez Skrabonja Harley Loper
Art and Toni Poole Scholarship	Maci Flaherty Brooklyn Garrigus Alexandra Graves Koby Sewall Hanalei Warren
Barbara Dodrill Scholarship	Natasha Corbit Nicole Johnson Tessa King Aiyana Sederlin
Barbara Emily Knudson Scholarship	Joshua Vest
Baughman Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship	Adrianna Thode
Bay Area Sportsman’s Association (BASA) Scholarship	Dean Yurica
Bechtold-Laird Health Care Scholarship	Asa Crusoe Brianna Peters Parker Stocker
Bezzerides Scholarship	April Jordan
Candy Cronberger Health Scholarship	Melissa Beavers Vickie Hartman
Christine Moffitt Science Scholarship	Mandy Lawson Nicole Lehto Rylee Nelson
Chuck Hanners Memorial Scholarship	JR Scott
Clyde and Jackie Cherry Memorial Scholarship Fund	Nicole Hamby-Freund Natasha Holmes
Coos Bay Vision Center Scholarship	April Jordan
Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Scholarship	Zachary Lawrence
Coos County Realtors Scholarship	Eric Szenasi
Coquille Indian Tribe Scholarship	Ravyn Miranda
CTE Training Program Scholarship	Dylan Hankey
Curry Health-Related Scholarship	Vickie Hartman Alexis Pacino Amy Vick
Dean and Jane Muffett Memorial Scholarship	Stephanie Putman
DeArmond CTE Scholarship	Christon Beaird Alice Collins Samuel Jennings Tiffany Mahikoa Joshua Theis Aria Woodruff
Dennis and Janet Beetham Family Scholarship	Gideon-Abel Cole Rachel Dick Borislava Grigorova Aleczander Hardy Diannah Hathorn Dahlia Kanui Aidan Lilienthal Damian Lilienthal Alexandra Mead Santiago Rafael Robert Rodriguez Ian Wakeling Zachary Warner
Dorothy Heagy Education Scholarship	Aurora Parsons
Dorothy Mae Lindstrom Scavera Memorial Scholarship	Jordyn Harris
Ernest L. Frye-Keizer Memorial Scholarship	Megan Huckabee
Floyd Ingram Scholarship	Jake Bullard Skylar Lucas Chiara Mcnerney
Forty & Eight Bobby L. Fraser Memorial Nursing Scholarship	Jacqueline Hummel
Hales Family Scholarship	Kimberly Abarca Pacheco Alana Bridges Christen Coady Caitlin Gill
Hedian Swanson Nursing Scholarship to Promote Respect for Cultural Diversity in Health Care	Sean Esperance
Henry F. and Elva H. Hansen Memorial Scholarship	Ashlyn Briggs
ILWU Local 12 Scholarship	Kaitlyn Dubisar
Jack & Margaret S. Dean Scholarship	Angelica Hunnicutt Avery Pounder
James Montalbano Scholarship	Johnathan Goddard Trynly Haack Karsyn Loper Peter Perucci Gaige Pilot Aria Woodruff
James Reed VanDuzer IV Scholarship	David Salleng
John W. Burles Memorial Scholarship	Yazan Al Jaouni Brooklyn Culver Kaelynn Teagle
Keiser Scholarship for Culinary Excellence	Laura Martinez
Kyle Trust Scholarship	Jessica Hunter Carly White
Laker Legacy Alumni Scholarship	Molly Tildon
Leonard C. Farr Community Service Scholarship	Vanessa Cardoso
Linda Bufton Culinary Scholarship	Coltyn Howeth
Linda L. Kallgren Nursing Scholarship	Carly Homenyk Allison Seeley
Lisa G. Wampole Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice	Nadia Gracian
Lloyd and Betty Taylor Family Scholarship	Peter Perucci
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship	Marshall Dickson Jmie Lawrence
Mary, Kate and Cap Sharples Scholarship	Mandy Lawson
Maxine Smith Scholarship	Kala Summers
May Virginia Smith VanDuzer Scholarship	Cary Rogers
Maybelle M. Olson Scholarship	Ashley Swift Emily West
Menasha Legacy Fund Scholarship	Jesus Castillo Caitlin Hite Jacob Mitchell Ethan Pounder Timothy Stewart Lacey Tabor Aubrey Thorsen
Mike Groben Scholarship	Ryan DeVore Kiley Drummond
Nancy Douglas Memorial Scholarship	Celeste Snively
Pacific Orchid Society Scholarship	Hanalei Warren
Patricia Benetti Memorial Scholarship	Michele Ingle Jordan Nelson
Patricia D. and William B. Smullin Scholarship	Dylan Boice Nathaniel Little Rosemarie Springer
Presbyterian Church of Coos Bay Memorial Scholarship	Joseph Benavidez Heather Edwards Misty Thrash
Pringle Cunningham Scholarship for Curry Student	Anonymous
Randy Carpenter Memorial Foundation Scholarship	Joseph Greer
Roderick H. Morris Scholarship	Olivia Dimmick
Sandra Martinez & Carrie Kralicek Selfless Act Nursing Scholarship	Michael Baker
Sharon Barnett Scholarship	Alison Melo Sarah Tucker
Sharon Kolkhorst Memorial Nursing Scholarship	Therese Lichte
Sheryl Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship	Lee Anna Saunders
Shirley Barton Nursing Scholarship	Jacqueline Hummel
Sickels Family Rural College Technology Scholarship	Romeo Maverick Macalino Madeleine Squier-Paine
Slaney Family Human Services Scholarship	Amy Hultman
Slaney Family Scholarship	Brooke Aldrich Guadalupe Trujillo
Soroptimist Scholarship	Kathryn Berger Carissa Pearson Caitlin Rowley
Southwestern Foundation Board General Scholarship	Vanessa Barragan Connor Fauver Nadia Gracian Lucy Hough Adele Javorsky Augusto Reyes-Mendoza Kelsie Thurston Issabella Vermaak Michael Witzil Elliott Wood Gabrielle Zellmer
Southwestern Foundation Culinary General Scholarship	Nathaniel Plant Carmen Rodriguez
Southwestern Foundation General Scholarship	Steffanie Dean Jessica Edmundson Brayden Edwards Erica Evers Leah Hernandez Cody Perry Jullianna Saint Hilaire Carley Sjogren Victoria Varivoda Boone Weatherby
Southwestern Foundation: Curry Campus General Scholarship	Suzu Nishioka Kasey Saadat
Southwestern Foundation: Early Bird Scholarship	Rachelle Maxon
Stephens Family Scholarship	Angel Garcia Jessica Guerrero
Steve Shirtcliff CASA Scholarship	Catrina Clayholt Deja McComb Andrea Pedrini
Student of the Year Scholarship	Luzmar Giraldo Torrealba
SWOCC Classified Scholarship	Anna Muroff
TRIO SWOCC District Scholarship	Harley Loper
TymByr Culinary Scholarship	Mason Franco Paige Hoene
Vernon Brecke Memorial Scholarship	Karis Kohl
Vernon C. and Jean G. Sorenson Scholarship	Bryce Bales Hailey Smith
William Lansing Scholarship	Makenna Johnson Jasper Nelson
William McGuire Scholarship	Aleczander Hardy
Yellow Cab Taxi Scholarship	Sara Torkelson

*Note: Some scholarship recipients request their award(s) not be listed publicly. The Foundation respects their privacy by not including them on this list.