Apr 9, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss
Reading is fundamental. It develops the brains of young children, provides a window into the world around them and helps them do better in all school subjects.
Yet, 800 million people around the world cannot read or write. And many families (and some schools) have no books for children to read.
With the idea of encouraging a love of reading, the Rotary Clubs and school districts of North Bend, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point and Powers, along with South Coast Education Service District (ESD), and Southwestern Oregon Community College are partnering to help children on the south coast get excited about books with the Gift of Literacy Program.
Modeled after the Springfield Gift of Literacy, this well-established, time-tested, award-winning program fosters a love of reading among young children. Through a multi-club Rotary District Grant matched by local clubs, every first-grader (over 600) in each of the club’s coastal communities are participating in this enriching six-month literacy program.
The Gift of Literacy Program will culminate in a festive celebration on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Southwestern Oregon Community College, when first-graders from the south coast will be transported by bus to the College to attend an assembly and receive a cinch bag filled with fun swag … and two brand-new books!
The five selected books, chosen by Coos County librarians and educators, are a wonderful and diverse mix. Each first-grade classroom received a set of the books in November. Teachers or guest readers read the books in the classroom. And on April 30th, each first-grade student will come to campus for a literacy program that includes receiving two books for them to take home.
The importance and enjoyment of reading will be reinforced with the acquisition of a library card. First-graders will also be introduced to a college campus, where they can get a glimpse of college life.
“All Rotarians are committed to promoting literacy, both in the United States and abroad,” said Southwestern President and local Rotarian Dr. Patty M. Scott, who helped organize the event. “We are proud to celebrate and promote literacy for our local first-grade students!”
The Rotary Clubs, ESD and the College would like to give special thanks to Yellow Cab, First Community Credit Union, McDonald’s, and Northwest Community Credit Union for their generous support of the Gift of Literacy Program.
NOTE TO PRESS: Representatives of the press are welcome and encouraged to cover this event. We will have one group of students in the morning from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. The morning session includes first-graders from Bandon, Coquille, Powers, Reedsport, and Winter Lakes schools. The afternoon session runs from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. and includes first-graders from Coos Bay, Lighthouse, Myrtle Point, and North Bend schools. Both sessions will be held at the Recreation Center on the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus, 1988 Newmark Ave. For further details, please contact Southwestern President Dr. Patty M. Scott at pscott@socc.edu or phone at 541-888-7401.
Apr 9, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Psychology Department and Associated Student Government are offering students and the community an opportunity to hear international guest speaker Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis (via Zoom) discuss the work of her late husband Dr. Albert Ellis. Join us Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in Eden Hall room 1 on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Dr. Ellis has dedicated herself to sharing the life enhancing and inspiring approach of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) with as many people as possible. A clear and easy-to-understand approach, its application brings striking and beneficial results. Its efficiency is fueled by its pragmatic tools and along with it a philosophical backbone encouraging kindness and compassion.
At the core of the presentations and writings of Dr. Ellis is the groundbreaking philosophy and psychological approach of her husband, a pioneer in the field of psychology, Dr. Albert Ellis, the creator of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy.
Albert Ellis PhD (1913-2007) dedicated himself to fighting injustices and changing restrictive social norms. He was a major figure in changing general attitudes held by many in the twentieth century, and first decade of the twenty-first century, on women’s rights, racial equality, inter-racial marriage, gay rights, freedom of speech, and literature – to name a few.
Ellis’ approach is holistic and ethical, attending to the interplay of a person’s beliefs, emotions and actions, and seeing people as capable of choosing their emotional destiny according to their capacity and willingness to choose rational thinking over irrational thinking. He asserted that we humans are fallible creatures who can unnecessarily disturb ourselves and prescribed the use of his REBT approach for un-disturbing ourselves.
Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
Dr. Ellis was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. New York City has been her home base for the past two decades. She is a licensed psychologist (Australia), licensed mental health counselor (New York), presenter, writer, and adjunct professor at Columbia University in New York City where she teaches Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Comparative Psychotherapies. For years she worked with her husband, Dr Albert Ellis, giving public presentations and professional trainings in his approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, as well as collaborating with him on writing and research projects until his death in 2007.
Before his passing he stated and wrote that he entrusted her to continue his work. She is recognized as a world-renowned expert on REBT, and regularly presents, throughout the USA and around the world, to students, academics, practitioners in the helping professions, and to members of the general public.
More information can be found at her website: www.debbiejoffeellis.com.
The lecture will be presented via Zoom and recorded for later viewing via the College’s YouTube channel. This is a free event. For more information, please contact Cheryl Davies, Professor of Psychology at Southwestern at 541-888-7291 or cdavies@socc.edu.
Apr 5, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: Inspiring Travel and Strengthening a Sustainable Coastal Economy.
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.
Want to learn more about travel and tourism in Curry County? Stacey Reynolds and Miranda Plagge both play big roles in what’s happening in Curry County now and in the future. Their talk promises to be one filled with stories and strategies.
Stacey Reynolds works as the Global Sales and Marketing Coordinator for the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA). They are a Regional Destination Management Organization for the entire Oregon Coast.
The tourism industry is one of the leading economic drivers on the Oregon Coast. OCVA’s mission is to inspire travel and strengthen collaboration to create and steward a sustainable coastal economy.
The OCVA is the official Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) for the entire Oregon Coast as designated by the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).
OCVA has the honor of working with coastal communities to align partnerships, destination development projects, and destination marketing with the vision of creating “a coastal utopia for all.” This includes coastal stakeholders, new and returning visitors, and the natural resources that make these coveted experiences so magical.
Stacey Reynolds was born in Portland, Oregon but raised in North Dakota. Stacey knew from an early age she’d return to Oregon. The Oregon Coast captured her twelve-year-old heart while on a family vacation during a stormy Thanksgiving, and she vowed to move here someday. Now, as a 15-year resident of the coast, her love for The People’s Coast still runs deep.
Stacey attended Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she studied graphic communications with an art minor. Stacey has used her graphic design skills to market companies of all sizes, including her own small business on the Oregon Coast. Through this experience, she found a passion for building and promoting small community-oriented businesses. She is deeply excited to bring her passion and skills to the OCVA team. Her past projects with OCVA include developing the Oregon Coast Public Art Trail and designing communication pieces for the Oregon Ocean Cluster Initiative.
Stacey lives in Brookings with her son and enjoys hiking the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, surfing, swimming, and exploring the local rivers.
Miranda Plagge is the Economic Development Administrator for Curry County. She actively promotes the expansion of the tourism industry on the South Coast, while also expanding her responsibilities to include more comprehensive economic endeavors.
Her professional experience prior to Curry County ranged from the picturesque landscapes of Colorado to the dynamic culture of New Mexico. Miranda pursued a Bachelor of Science in Creative Media at New Mexico State University while minoring in Business Administration. Miranda also completed a certificate in Sustainable Destination Management from The George Washington University.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Miranda supports the arts and community development. With her past positions as President of the Ellensburg Theatre Company and Board of Director for Travel Southern Oregon Coast, she continues to promote sustainable development and cultural vitality.
“I lead one of Oregon’s hottest destinations on the southern Oregon coastline. I’m extremely passionate about telling the stories of this region including the businesses that make up this industry. The businesses we support gravitate to my office for direction in social media engagement and strategy. We help educate businesses on the possibilities of scaling up with consistent social media marketing, all while promoting the County with traditional and non-traditional media buys. When I’m not developing marketing strategies, I love traveling – road trips are my absolute favorite! I sit on the Board of Directors for Gold Beach Mainstreet, Rogue Playhouse, and South Coast Oregon Film Festival. I also try to keep up with 15 nieces and nephews throughout the year.”
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Apr 3, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites 3rd to 6th grade students to join us for “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) for KIDS: Star Wars!” on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This science-immersion event will be from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm in the College’s health and science building, Umpqua Hall, on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Grab your lightsaber and join us! Students will engage with professors in hands-on activities in Physics & Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Art, and more. This includes working alongside the College’s SPEAR Student Researchers, who are involved in various STEAM projects.
Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch, as there will be a break to eat. Star Wars themed costumes are encouraged, but not required. There will also be an opportunity to experience a show in the new Discovery Dome Planetarium. This digital theater space immerses students in a show that takes them on an adventure.
STEAM education projects help students visualize career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math. The “A” adds in the arts, such as humanities, dance, drama, visual arts and design. When people learn in all these areas together, they gain soft skills that can help grow ability in out-of-the-box thinking and collaboration.
Cost is $25. Spots are limited to 15. Scholarships are available. For more information and to register contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
For more information regarding science programs at Southwestern visit the STEM Pathways & Degrees page of our website. (https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/).
Apr 1, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College will be hosting a financial aid workshop on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) on Monday, April 15, 2024. This event is free and open to all. It will take place on the third floor of Tioga Hall in the Tutoring Center from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The first 40 people to arrive will receive a $10 Gas/Grocery card.
CURRY COUNTY RESIDENTS: Join us via zoom from the Curry Campus, Room 232 (906082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings). The first 10 people to arrive will receive a $10 Gas/Grocery card.
Financial aid advisors will be available to assist people with submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in securing funding to pay for the costs associated with going to college. Applying for federal and state aid can be time consuming and difficult. The Financial Aid staff at Southwestern would like to provide current students, prospective students, and the community assistance with navigating this process.
The workshop offers hands-on assistance from trained professionals who will be available to help you navigate the FAFSA from beginning to end. Our staff will also be able to access any successfully submitted FAFSAs that we have received to review them for errors and assist you with making corrections to the form.
It is important to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible as Southwestern has a Priority Deadline of August 1, 2024 for the submission of all additional required paperwork.
For more information contact Stevie Jennings, Director of Financial Aid at Southwestern via email at stevie.jennings@socc.edu or by calling 541-888-1615.
General information regarding financial aid can be found on our website: HERE.
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 25, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to present a lecture by Dr. Alex Ruzicka, Director of the Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory and Professor of Geology at Portland State University, who will discuss the Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory. Please join us on Thursday April 25, 2024, at 6:00 pm. 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.
About the lecture:
The Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory (CML) at Portland State University started in 2003 and now hosts one of the largest public collections of meteorites in the United States. Join CML Director and Professor Alex Ruzicka as he reviews the start and growth of the lab, its goals, and the techniques used for specimen analysis. The talk will focus on serendipitous discoveries made by students and lab personnel.
About the presenter:
Dr. Ruzicka is a Professor in the Department of Geology at Portland State University, and the Director of the Cascadia Meteorite Laboratory. Dr. Ruzicka studies the origin and evolution of the solar system and the bodies within it. His research specialty is the geochemistry, petrology, and cosmochemistry of meteorites.
For those unable to attend in-person, the talk will be streamed live through Southwestern’s YouTube channel.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor of Physics, at 541-888-7244, aaron.coyner@socc.edu.
For information about studying physics at Southwestern visit our Physics webpage.
Mar 21, 2024 | Community, News
Pictured left to right: Samantha Fry, Welding Student; Chelsea Clemens, Associate Professor of Welding/Manufacturing; Andy Grotzke, Koontz Machine & Welding; SWOCC President Patty Scott; Kobe Greene, Koontz Machine & Welding; Kristen Mayer, SWOCC Welding Graduate and Koontz Employee; Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services; Daniel Koopman, Dean of Instruction – Career Technical Education.
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to honor Koontz Machine and Welding with the 2024 Career Technical Education (CTE) Industry Partner of the Year Award.
Southwestern recognizes our CTE partner, Koontz Machine and Welding, whose steadfast support of our programs has been integral to our students these past nine(+) years.
“We have been fortunate to have Koontz Machine and Welding as a partner on our advisory committee, giving us feedback and helping us keep our curriculum aligned with the welding industry. Koontz not only collaborates with SWOCC but they have employed several students over the years. We hope to continue working with Koontz to help educate and employ future generations of welders and ironworkers. Thank you for your support,” said Chelsea Clemens, Associate Professor of Welding and Manufacturing at Southwestern.
Koontz Machine and Welding is an Oregon based company that was established in 1906 and has been in the same location since then. Koontz was founded by John Koontz and has seen numerous changes over the years. It was always a machine shop, but other ventures have also come and gone: an automotive garage, Packard dealership, gas and diesel station (sold to boats on the bay) and a tire shop. Koontz also manufactured and patented the Koontz hydraulic press. Bruce Thompson bought Koontz Machine and Welding in 2007, after being foreman and employed by Koontz for over twenty years.
Koontz Machine and Welding serves on our Welding/Manufacturing advisory committee, and they provide internship and employment opportunities for our students. It is with great pleasure that we present them with our CTE Partner of the Year Award.
To learn more about Southwestern’s career technical training programs call 541-888-7405 to make an appointment with an advisor. You can learn more about Koontz Machine and Welding at their website: http://www.koontzmachine.com/.
Mar 20, 2024 | Community, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College’s STEAM Pathways Presents “Pros & Cons of Living with a Star” the 2024 Annual Student Art Exhibit. The exhibit will be on display from Friday, March 22, 2024 until Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2024 in the Eden Hall Gallery of Southwestern’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay). The gallery will be open 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Science faculty encouraged students to investigate the many impacts the Sun has on aspects of our academic and non-academic life. From eclipses and solar activity in astronomy, the impacts on biological cycles, facilitation of chemical reactions, involvement in geologic processes, solar power, weather patterns, clothing design, even space propulsion. The Sun impacts lives across all fields and at all levels. Enjoy a wide range of artistic views on our closest stellar companion.
For more information contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
For more information regarding science programs at Southwestern visit the STEM Pathways & Degrees page of our website. (https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/).
Mar 19, 2024 | Community, News
Girls High School Basketball Tournament at Southwestern Oregon Community College
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College athletics invites high school basketball teams from across the region to participate in the inaugural Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase, a premier varsity girls basketball tournament set to take place June 20-22, 2024, at the College’s Coos Campus located in Coos Bay, Oregon.
With a seven game guarantee, the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase promises a fun tournament for high school girls basketball teams that includes a skills competition, memorable camaraderie and an event barbeque for participants. Teams interested in on-campus housing accommodations can arrange for them at an additional fee.
Registration for the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase is now open. Teams can secure their spot for $400 by registering online HERE. Furthermore, teams registering and submitting their rosters by May 31, 2024, will receive complimentary t-shirts. Hurry, as the tournament will cap at 16 teams.
Tournament Details:
- Dates: June 20-22, 2024
- Location: Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay)
- Registration: $400 per team, register online HERE
- Game Guarantee: 7 games
- Officiating: OSAA Certified Officials
- Additional Events: Skills competition & BBQ
- Accommodations: Teams have the option to stay in on-campus housing for an additional fee (details in the registration link)
For more information, including specific inquiries about accommodations and tournament details, please contact Southwestern’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Heather Weber at 541-391-3494 or via email at heather.weber@socc.edu.
Join us for this opportunity to compete, connect, and celebrate basketball at the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase.
