Sep 4, 2025 | Alumni, Community, News, Student Success
SWOCC Alum making a difference!
As classrooms across the South Coast welcome students back this fall, North Bay Elementary’s Hope Huntley will be right there among them — beginning her 16th year as an elementary school teacher. And for her,
every first day of school is more than just tradition, it’s a full-circle moment.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Hope says. “SWOCC helped guide me into the profession with support and knowledge.”
A 2004 graduate of North Bend High School, Hope started her college journey at Western Oregon University. Like many students, she quickly realized she needed something closer to home. She returned to Coos
Bay and enrolled at SWOCC in the winter of 2005, where she found both direction and a community that believed in her.
“SWOCC was very inviting for me as a young person,” she reflects. “The professors were welcoming and worked hard to make sure I was successful in every way.”
Hope earned her associate degree and Child & Family Studies certificate from SWOCC in 2007, and lost her father shortly thereafter. She recalls SWOCC staff supporting her through that life-changing experience in many ways — making her realize being in Coos Bay was a positive choice for her moving forward.
Hope was able to continue her studies through Eastern Oregon University where she graduated with her bachelor’s in 2010. She began teaching that summer and has since taught first through fourth grade in both Coos Bay and North Bend schools.
Today, she teaches third grade at North Bay Elementary, where she also mentors students, helps lead professional learning, and coaches T-ball for the North Bend Independent Baseball Program. But what keeps her
going isn’t just curriculum — it’s community.
“I love my job, and the true joy is watching your former students walk at graduation. It’s the best gift you could give a teacher.”
She has since earned her master’s degree in education, taking hybrid classes at SWOCC during the summers.
“Because of SWOCC I was able to find myself and become the best version of myself. I am able to give back to my community every day by teaching and guiding students to success stories like mine.”
As she looks ahead, Hope’s goals are simple: to grow as an educator, be the best mom, wife, and friend she can be, and keep showing up for the community that helped shape her.
“SWOCC isn’t just a place to get a degree,” she says. “It’s a place to grow into who you’re meant to be.”
Aug 7, 2025 | Foundation, News, Student Success
The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is proud to congratulate the 2025-26 scholarship recipients. Thanks to generous community donors, the Foundation awarded around 200 scholarships totaling more than $315,000 for students attending Southwestern for the 2025-26 academic year.
Guided by a board of local community volunteers, the Southwestern Foundation has been providing scholarships to thousands of Southwestern students for more than 60 years. These awards help students by breaking down financial barriers and inspiring students to better their lives and futures.
If you are interested in learning more about the Southwestern Foundation visit www.socc.edu/foundation or call 541-888-7209.
2025-26 Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation Scholarship Recipients
| SCHOLARSHIP |
RECIPIENT(S) |
| Andy Toribio Scholarship |
Jenna |
Hill |
| Ann Lansing Scholarship |
Ruthie |
Anderson-Castro |
|
Cassidy |
Hart |
| Art and Toni Poole Scholarship |
Lily |
Gagnier |
|
Angel |
Garcia |
| Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Scholarship |
Analise |
McCord |
| Barbara Dodrill Scholarship |
Stephanie |
Palmer |
| Barbara Emily Knudson Scholarship |
Stormy |
Dutra |
|
Maddox |
Johnston |
| Barbara Reynolds Scholarship |
Marcela |
Mendoza |
| Baughman Memorial Apprenticeship Scholarship |
Jonathan |
Rider |
|
Sabrina |
Stroud |
| Bay Area Picklers Scholarship |
Hayden |
Napier |
| Bay Area Sportsman’s Association (BASA) Scholarship |
Kacee |
Ligons |
| Bechtold-Laird Health Care Scholarship |
Alice |
Collins |
|
Jasmine |
Hanson |
|
Taryn |
Hurley |
| Bezzerides Scholarship |
Aubrey |
Pope |
| BI-MART Scholarship |
Jeffrey |
Jennings |
| Cherie J. Mitchell Scholarship |
Gracie |
Stewart |
| Cherish Pride Scholarship |
Kaylee |
Dykes |
|
Cecilia |
Somers |
| Christine Moffitt Science Scholarship |
Kaylee |
Dykes |
|
Jaydenn |
Gamboa |
|
Heidi |
Graves |
|
Gabbard |
Herring |
|
Alivia |
Sand |
| Chuck Hanners Scholarship |
Maia |
Retelska |
| Clyde and Jackie Cherry Memorial Scholarship Fund |
Saron |
Cruz |
|
Zachary |
Renfro |
| Coos Bay Surfrider Scholarship |
Jaydenn |
Gamboa |
|
Yumi |
Young |
| Coos Bay Vision Center Scholarship |
Naveah |
White |
| Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Scholarship |
Jacob |
McClinton |
| Coos County Realtors Scholarship |
Jesseca |
Rogers |
| Coquille Indian Tribe Scholarship |
Naveah |
White |
| Culinary Vision Scholarship |
Lily |
Isom |
|
Izabella |
Rivas-Lake |
|
Ellie |
Villa |
| Curry Campus General Scholarship |
Danielle |
Ball |
|
Ginger |
Taylor |
| Dean and Jane Muffett Memorial Scholarship |
Catherine |
Johnson |
| DeArmond CTE Scholarship |
Rhett |
Allred |
|
Jared |
Ehrman |
|
Ruth |
Gastonguay |
|
Rank |
Herrera |
|
Tori |
Hinze |
|
Quinn |
Komok |
| Dennis and Janet Beetham Family Scholarship |
Chenoa |
Baurer |
|
Khobi |
Carmichel |
|
Sean |
Derby |
|
Andrea |
García Jiménez |
|
Aiden |
Johnson |
|
Lars |
Knudsen |
|
Haydenn |
Matzner |
|
Emilio |
Reyna |
|
Lincoln |
Roberts |
|
Emmanuel |
Salinas |
| Donald Ivy Memorial Scholarship |
Mariah |
Hill |
| Dorothy Heagy Education Scholarship |
Lillian |
Hopkins |
| Early Bird Scholarship |
Casey |
Schrunk |
| Ernest L. Frye-Keizer Memorial Scholarship |
Brea |
Slater |
| Estella Morgan Memorial |
Penelope |
Waldrop |
| Flaxel Family Scholarship |
Sean |
Hastings |
|
Holly |
Ullha-Reams |
|
Marisol |
Carreno Yanez |
|
Jill |
Holbrook |
|
Lupita |
Trujillo |
| Forty & Eight Bobby L. Fraser Memorial Nursing Scholarship |
Gracie |
Stewart |
| Going Coastal Scholarship |
Kirra |
Cooley |
|
Rowen |
Gott |
|
Sarah |
Greene |
|
Rayna |
Hayes |
|
Baylee |
Pitts |
|
Haley |
Williams |
| Hales Family Scholarship |
Nolan |
Black |
|
Taylor |
Kelner |
|
Domnik |
Simmons |
|
Cohen |
Smith |
|
Ella |
Stokes |
| Henry F. and Elva H. Hansen Memorial Scholarship |
Liliana |
Walton |
| ILWU Local 12 Scholarship |
Sierra |
Adams |
| Jack & Margaret S. Dean Scholarship |
Ruby |
Hernandez |
| James Montalbano Scholarship |
Liam |
Buskerud-Olson |
|
Kyra |
Montez |
| James Reed VanDuzer IV Scholarship |
Zachariah |
Moore-Lopez |
| Jody McCaffree Social & Environmental Justice Scholarship |
Yumi |
Young |
| John C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship |
Taylor |
Dickey |
| John W. Burles Memorial Scholarship |
Denese |
Abeyta |
|
Mycah |
Nichols |
|
Milagros |
Perez Nanez |
| Keiser Scholarship for Culinary Excellence |
Savannah |
Cooke |
|
Dominic |
Duckett |
|
Fyn |
Elton |
| Kyle Trust Scholarship |
Jacob |
Smithson |
| Leonard C. Farr Community Service Scholarship |
Catherine |
Brandon |
| Linda Bufton Culinary Scholarship |
Dominic |
Duckett |
| Linda Kallgren Donaldson Nursing Scholarship |
Hailey |
Crawford |
|
*Anonymous |
|
| Lisa G. Wampole Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Justice |
Lindsey |
Tatakis |
| Lyon/Orr Family Scholarship |
*Anonymous |
|
| Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship |
Lupe |
Morado |
| Mary, Kate and Cap Sharples Scholarship |
Cassidy |
Hart |
| Maxine Smith Scholarship |
Aimie |
Bussmann |
| May Virginia Smith VanDuzer Scholarship |
Nicole |
Caporale |
| Maybelle M. Olson Scholarship |
Annabelle |
McDorman |
|
Milena |
Miller |
| Menasha Legacy Fund Scholarship |
Aimie |
Bussmann |
|
Gwyn |
Button |
|
Kody |
Chandler |
|
Natalie |
Davis |
|
Addison |
Hitt |
|
Blaise |
Pindell |
| Mike Groben Scholarship |
Monica |
Florez |
|
Tiernan |
McCoy |
| Military Families Scholarship |
Blaire |
Clements |
| Nancy Douglas Memorial Scholarship |
Nicole |
Angelova |
| Nursing Scholarship |
Alanna |
Smith |
| Pacific Orchid Society Scholarship |
Leo |
LaBarge |
| Patricia Benetti Memorial Scholarship |
Hayley |
Brophy |
|
Dominic |
Duckett |
| Patricia D. and William B. Smullin Scholarship |
*Anonymous |
|
|
Asher |
Vredenburg |
| Paul Cameron Rients Memorial Scholarship |
Morgan |
Cole-Hand |
|
Savannah |
Cooke |
| Presbyterian Church of Coos Bay Memorial Scholarship |
Cassandra |
Caputo |
|
Hannah |
Hodge |
|
Benjamin |
Jumper |
|
Emily |
Peck |
| Prescott Art Award Scholarship |
*Anonymous |
|
| Randy Carpenter Memorial Scholarship |
Nolan |
Black |
|
Antonio |
Gallagher |
| Range Sports Medicine & Performance Scholarship |
Triniti |
Taylor |
| Roderick H. Morris Scholarship |
Savannah |
Cooke |
| Sandra Martinez & Carrie Kralicek Selfless Act Nursing Scholarship |
Nicole |
Teigen |
| Sharon Barnett Scholarship |
Dustin |
Ledford |
| Sharon Kolkhorst Memorial Nursing Scholarship |
Hannah |
Tanner |
| Sheryl Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship |
Joy |
Dschaak |
| Shirley Barton Nursing Scholarship |
RayAnne |
Lockett |
| Sickels Family Rural College Technology Scholarship |
Uzumatti |
Flores |
|
Maggie |
Young |
| Slaney Family Human Services Scholarship |
Sayana |
Phillips |
|
Alexis |
Rogers |
| Slaney Family Scholarship |
Emma |
Spalding |
| Stephens Family Scholarship |
Hayley |
Brophy |
| Steve Shirtcliff CASA Scholarship |
Kendra |
Johnston |
| Student of the Year Scholarship |
Lyndsay |
Thomas |
| SWOCC Foundation Board General Scholarship |
Morgan |
Herring |
|
Lindsey |
Tatakis |
|
Lyndsay |
Thomas |
|
Ben |
Zuschlag |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Ken Ware Chevrolet GMC Scholarship |
Maison |
Miller |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Coos Bay Toyota Scholarship |
Triniti |
Taylor |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Morrison Gederos Construction Scholarship |
Jonathan |
Rider |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Opsis Architecture Scholarship |
Kaleb |
Nielson |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Pacific Coast Automation Scholarship |
Andrew |
Groter |
| SWOCC Foundation Classic – Three Rivers Casino Resort Scholarship |
Danna |
Silva Ortega |
| SWOCC Foundation Culinary General Scholarship |
Raquel |
Bonham |
|
Joseph |
Cavazos |
|
Kaleb |
Clason |
|
Raena |
Crisp |
|
Anaya |
Young |
| SWOCC Foundation General Nursing Scholarship |
Mikaela |
Bjorn |
|
Miriam |
Glasband |
|
RayAnne |
Lockett |
|
Abe |
Ramadan |
| SWOCC Foundation General Scholarship |
Heather |
Beaird |
|
Chelsey |
Blair |
|
Kylee |
Bond |
|
Liam |
Buskerud-Olson |
|
Morgan |
Cole-Hand |
|
Sabra |
D’Orazio |
|
Katelynn |
Godin |
|
Rowen |
Gott |
|
*Anonymous |
|
|
Michael |
Knutsen |
|
Dustin |
Ledford |
|
Kacee |
Ligons |
|
Amy |
Page |
|
Milagros |
Perez Nanez |
|
Sophie |
Rhodes |
|
Breeann |
Turner |
| The Friends of the Curry Public Library James Boyle Memorial Scholarship |
Chanel |
Greenwood |
| TymByr Culinary Scholarship |
Bentley |
Maldonado |
|
Jennifer |
Parker |
| Umpqua Bank Scholarship |
Kendra |
Johnston |
| Vernon Brecke Memorial Scholarship |
Jenna |
Hill |
| Vernon C. and Jean G. Sorenson Scholarship |
Analise |
McCord |
| William and Virginia Erickson Scholarship |
Vexx |
Genczo |
|
Logan |
Noblitt |
| William Lansing Scholarship |
Irelyn |
Gibbs |
|
Zaidee |
Quinn |
| Woolridge Myrtle Point Scholarship |
Hayley |
Brophy |
| Yellow Cab Taxi Scholarship |
Jaciel |
Valdez |
| *Note: Some scholarship recipients request their award(s) not be listed publicly. The Foundation respects their privacy by not including them on this list. |
Jun 25, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, Ore. – Thanks to Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation, donors and grants, the College has purchased an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, or XRF.
Student researchers Tia DeLorto and Ava Bolster prepare a sample for the XRF
Using this device, a student team kicked off a research project to unveil the secrets of coastal rocks and fossils. The XRF is a tool that tells researchers what elements are in a variety of materials – solutions, solids, or crushed solids of samples like rocks, soils, metals or even fish and plants – by zapping the sample with X-rays and reading the energy that bounces back. Each element gives off a unique energy signature, helping researchers determine the elemental composition.
“The XRF is a power tool for conducting cutting-edge scientific research, but also for broader impacts ranging from testing soil quality to testing the purity and quality of locally produced food,” said Dr. Win McLaughlin, Assistant Professor of Geology at Southwestern. “We’re not only able to offer those testing services via student-led research projects, but also give students a set of skills with a wide range of potential for employment in different industries.”
Under the guidance of McLaughlin and Derek Morrelli, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, teams of students will engage in two initial research projects. One upcoming project will analyze a fossil walrus jaw collected in the 1930s from Fossil Point at Coos Bay. By matching the elemental signature of the jaw’s surrounding sandstone with regional rock formations, the team aims to determine its geologic origin. They hope to determine whether the fossil represents the oldest walrus fossil found on the U.S. mainland.
Tia DeLorto, a 2025 graduate of Southwestern and student researcher from Prineville, Oregon, discovered her passion for geology through courses with Dr. Win McLaughlin. Inspired by her studies, she plans to pursue a career in the field. “Learning about and preserving the natural world is important to me,” she says. “This technology is just one of the tools that helps scientists do that.”
Team member, Ava Bolster from Gold Beach, is a marine biology major who will return to SWOCC this fall. “I’m focused on marine biology and Tia is studying geology, but this technology has applications across both fields — and many others,” she explains.
Another project will use geo-chemical fingerprinting to measure uplift rates of marine terraces along the South Coast. These ancient shorelines, formed by tectonic uplift, hold vital clues to regional earthquake risk. More accurate modeling of uplift patterns will provide data that can be used to develop more accurate seismic maps from Reedsport to Brookings.
Students also are considering projects to analyze fish for metal contamination and to look at soil quality in former mining sites.
Over the next year, up to 60 students across three academic terms will use the XRF in coursework and projects. Some research will also tie in with research at the University of Oregon Earth Science Department.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Jun 2, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern is proud of the 2025 graduates! This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 412 graduates, from 21 states and 13 countries.
Degrees being awarded are:
143 Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
110 Associate of Applied Science
50 Associate of General Studies
41 Associate of Science
5 Associate of Science Transfer
127 Certificates of Completion (one year)
Southwestern also congratulates seven local high school students who have completed their associate degrees in a dual enrollment program in partnership with their individual high schools.
Southwestern’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025, at noon in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. Guest attendance at the ceremony is by ticket only. The celebration can be viewed live via the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwesternOR.
Additional information for graduates and their families can be found on the Graduation webpage located at https://www.socc.edu/graduation.
Honors:
GH = Graduating with Honors, 3.75 GPA
PK = Member Phi Theta Kappa
V = Valedictorian, 4.00 GPA
May 23, 2025 | News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Friday, May 30, 2025, 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. The presentations will take place in the Umpqua Hall lecture room 184 on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Southwestern’s 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, Chemistry, and Biology 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, Amy Burgess, Derek Morrelli and Frazier Pruett.
Some of the projects include:
- 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;
- 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, frequencies, working NOAA tidal data, and the impacts of coastal architecture;
- designing smaller tabletop demos for mechanical robotics systems.
Many of these projects are supported by grants awarded through Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium and Oregon Coast STEM Hub.
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, 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 9, 2025 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025, at noon in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Southwestern is proud of the 2025 graduates! This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 412 graduates, from 21 states and 13 countries.
Degrees being awarded are:
143 Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
110 Associate of Applied Science
50 Associate of General Studies
41 Associate of Science
5 Associate of Science Transfer
127 Certificates of Completion (one year)
Southwestern also congratulates seven local high school students who have completed their associate degrees in a dual enrollment program in partnership with their individual high schools.
Guest attendance at the ceremony is by ticket only. The celebration can be viewed live via the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwesternOR.
Additional information for graduates and their families can be found on the Graduation webpage located at https://www.socc.edu/graduation.
