Oct 21, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm, for “The Physics of Anime” with Dr. Roman Gomez from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), San Antonio, TX. Dr. Gomez will also be giving us an update on what he has been working on at SwRI! This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (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.
About the Lecture:
Anime is a medium that has recently become quite popular. Given its nation of origin, it introduces us to some very new concepts and ideas. Some religious and cultural concepts are distinctly Japanese and help broaden our social and cultural worldviews. However, while familiar, others may still be relatively new to many viewers, one of which is science. While some anime directly addresses scientific principles, others, especially those in the science fiction genre, introduce these concepts in their storytelling. Surprisingly, anime sometimes gets their physics right, giving us a vehicle for enjoyably discussing very complex concepts if we allow a few “miracles” to occur. This lecture will discuss some of these concepts in depth in a beginner-friendly way. It’s meant to be one one-part physics lecture, one one-part geek-out session, and a lot of fun, just like watching anime.
About the Presenter:
Roman Gomez has over 18 years of work experience in the field of space science and engineering. Roman has worked as a Lead Scientist at Southwest Research Institute since 2008, where they developed, calibrated, implemented, and analyzed data from plasma instruments on spacecraft. Roman was involved in projects such as the MMS-HPCA mission and the IES-Rosetta ion and electron spectrometer. Prior to that, they worked as a Research Scientist at the same institute, where they participated in the development of space plasma instrument prototypes and completed their PhD in space science and engineering. Roman also has experience as an Adjunct Professor of Physics at St. Mary’s University since 2018, where they teach physics courses. Roman has previously worked as an Adjunct Professor at Northwest Vista College, instructing students in astronomy and physics basics. Additionally, Roman served as a Graduate Research Assistant at Rice University, focusing on dark matter search and contributing to projects in gamma-ray and x-ray astronomy. Dr. Gomez has a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Biology from Texas State University (1999-2002) and holds a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics from Rice University (2003-2011).
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor, Engineering and Physics at aaron.coyner@socc.edu or 541-888-7244.
For more information on upcoming lectures 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/.
Oct 17, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, November 14, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for: A TRIP TO EGYPT.
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 speaker, Louise Abbott, received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach for one semester at Badr University in Cairo in the School of Veterinary Medicine, from February until early May in 2023.
Louise, and her husband Jim, traveled to Egypt in February of 2023. Louise taught Veterinary Anatomy and Histology to second year veterinary professional students at Badr University.
Louise said “The high light of the experience was working with the students at Badr University. They were eager to learn and our interactions were delightful. I also had wonderful faculty colleagues who were helpful, kind and very knowledgeable.”
The major difficulties were the restrictions placed on their travel by the US State Department and embassy in Cairo. It was for the safety of US nationals, but it was frustrating that they were not allowed to visit certain parts of Egypt where Louise had colleagues.
Louise added “Where we were able to travel, Jim, a seasoned photographer, captured very iconic images from Egypt.”
Jim and Louise reside in Brookings, Oregon, light years away, it seems, from Egypt.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks during fall term will focus on travel! For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Oct 14, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm, for “Life in the Marine Crustal Biosphere” with Dr. Stephanie Carr from Hartwick College, Oneota, NY. This is a free event; all ages are welcome. This event is made possible by the US Science Support Program (USSSP) Ocean Discovery Lectures. Thank you to USSSP and to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (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.
About the Lecture:
Join us for an exciting exploration of the ocean’s depths! We’ll uncover the oceanic crust, a hidden habitat often covered by sediment. Beneath this layer is a unique rock structure that serves as an underground water reservoir. In this environment, tiny microorganisms thrive without sunlight, relying on minerals and nutrients from the surrounding rock and water. Their remarkable adaptations help them survive and contribute to vital planetary processes. This presentation will introduce you to the borehole observatories at the Juan de Fuca Ridge Flank and share insights from our genetic studies of these fascinating microorganisms.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Stephanie Carr earned a BS in Biochemistry from Hartwick College and a PhD in geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines, studying the microbiology and carbon cycling of Antarctic sediments. Since then, Stephanie has enjoyed 166 days on research expeditions. In addition to sampling Antarctic sediments, Stephanie has sampled sediments of a Japanese subduction zone, seamounts offshore Costa Rica, and the marine crustal aquifers of the Mid-Atlantic and Juan de Fuca Ridges. She uses metagenomic and single-cell genomics paired with geochemistry to investigate the functional potential of deep life. Stephanie has served three years on the United States Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling and is branching into local continental drilling research projects.
For more information about this lecture contact Amy Burgess, Assistant Professor of Biology at amy.burgess@socc.edu or 541-888-7496.
For more information on upcoming lectures 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/.
Oct 14, 2024 | Curry Campus, News
Looking for an affordable, high-quality college experience? Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year! Whether we met you at a recent college fair or you’re just starting to explore your options, now is the perfect time to see what makes SWOCC a great place to start your educational journey.
Why Southwestern? Here’s what we offer…
- No out-of-state tuition! Study at a beautiful coastal campus without paying extra fees as an out-of-state student.
- Apartment-style student housing—live comfortably right on campus, with lakefront views!
- Active campus life: It’s easy to get involved in student clubs and organizations and meet new friends.
- Diverse community: Meet students from 40 states and 35 countries!
- Top-notch facilities: Study in our new Umpqua Health & Science building and recently renovated Coaledo and Sumner Halls.
- Small classes, qualified instructors: Get personalized attention from experienced instructors (NOT teacher aides) who genuinely want you to succeed.
- Largest athletics program of any community college in the Northwest!
- Scholarships and tuition breaks: Ask us about scholarships and opportunities for free tuition!
For a full list of academic programs and degrees, explore our pathways and degrees page.
Considering a career in the Culinary Arts?
If your passion is in cooking or baking, our Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) provides a boutique-style, hands-on training experience that’s unmatched. Small class sizes mean you get personal attention from experienced, award-winning chefs. You’ll be in the kitchen almost every day, developing the skills you need to succeed in the culinary world.
OCCI’s competitive culinary and ice teams have won national championships in 2022, 2020, and 2019, giving students the chance to showcase their talents and travel the world. Start your culinary career on the Oregon Coast!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Application for Admission
Not quite ready to apply, but curious to learn more?
Choose the option that works best for you:
- Schedule a visit and let us show you what your student life would be like here at Southwestern
- Text “SWOCCBOUND” or call 541-240-8227
- Email swoccbound@socc.edu
- Complete this form and we’ll get back to you
Whatever your future plans, we’re here to help you achieve them. We hope to hear from you soon!
Oct 9, 2024 | Community, News, OCCI News
Purchase Delicious Holiday Favorites and Support Local Students!
This Thanksgiving season, prepare a delicious holiday meal while making a difference for local students! The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI), in partnership with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, is once again offering a variety of holiday food items for purchase through the annual Thanksgiving Bazaar.
This year’s fundraiser marks a special milestone—celebrating a decade of collaboration and support for local students. To honor this achievement, the event will feature a new and improved menu with take-and-bake options, seasonal desserts, and traditional side dishes.
Place your order now through Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to guarantee your holiday favorites. Proceeds support the OCCI Competition Team and the Junior Chamber of Commerce Business Club, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students in both culinary and business fields.
Ordering Details:
Place your order by Wednesday, November 20!
- Email lapatisserie@socc.edu or call 541-888-7309
- Submit your completed order form to a Junior Chamber Club member
- Order in-person at Past to Present Emporium (281 S Broadway, Coos Bay, OR 97420)
- Payment due at time of order via cash, credit card or check (payable to “OCCI”)
Pick-Up Locations & Times:
- OCCI: Wednesday, November 27, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Past to Present Emporium: Wednesday, November 27, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Only for orders placed at the Emporium)
Menu Items Available for Purchase:
- Pumpkin Pie – $18 (2 for $34), Vegan Option – $20
- Apple Pie – $18 (2 for $34)
- 4 Mini-Chocolate Hazelnut Tarts (GF) – $25
- Cheesecake with Chocolate Pretzel Crust – $35 (GF option available)
- Turkey Breast (seasoned & ready to cook, GF) – $55
- Cornbread Stuffing (ready to cook) – $15
- Whipped Potatoes (reheat and serve, GF) – $15
- Fresh Cranberry Sauce (GF) – $7 per cup
- Homemade Turkey Gravy – $12 per quart
- Truffle Mac & Cheese – $18
- Blue Cheese Dressing – $12 per pint
- Small Round Bread Loaf – $5 (2 for $7)
- OCCI Turkey Spice Blend – $5
Featured Box Option:
- GRAND BOX – $210
Includes one of each menu item listed above
Thanksgiving Bazaar Order Form 2024
The Thanksgiving Bazaar has become a beloved annual event, highlighting the talents of OCCI students and faculty while providing the community with gourmet holiday dishes. By participating, you not only enjoy delicious food, but you also support the next generation of culinary and business professionals right here in the local community.
Oct 8, 2024 | OCCI News
Help support OCCI’s culinary team with their first sale of the 2024-25 academic year: a festive Oktoberfest food truck pop-up!
The event will take place Friday, October 18th from 11am – 1pm in the OCCI parking lot area (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
This will be a Fall celebration with German faire featuring:
- Grilled bratwurst on a bun (…plus a veggie option, too!)
- Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese sauce
- Pork Schnitzel sandwiches
- Fries
- Apple strudel for dessert!
No reservations needed. We hope to see you there!
Questions? Call 541-888-7309 or email shawn.warren@socc.edu.
Oct 8, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 6:00 pm, for “Coffee Chemical Physics” with Dr. Christopher Hendon from the University of Oregon. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (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.
About the Lecture:
Southwestern’s Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Derek Morrelli, welcomes Dr. Christopher Hendon, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Numerous physical and chemical processes play a determining role in coffee quality, ranging from agricultural practices, to roasting and brewing. We will canvas the landscape of coffee research, discussing his group’s effort to understand the key factors that determine cup quality and reproducibility. The talk will touch on several research areas; the chemistry of water, the physics of grinding, mathematical modeling to improve espresso reproducibility, and their latest work using electrochemistry to identify coffee qualities.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Christopher H. Hendon is a computational chemist with interests in energy materials and coffee. He obtained his Bachelor of Science with Advanced Honors from Monash University in 2011 and his doctorate from the University of Bath in 2015. After a two-year postdoc at Massachusetts Institute of Technology he joined the University of Oregon in 2017 and is now an Associate Professor of Chemistry where his research group focuses on materials with useful defects.
He has published over 115 papers, was named a Cottrell Scholar in 2021, a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar in 2022, the Samuel R. Scholes Jnr. Lecture for excellence in scientific communication, and has been awarded the Rippey Award for Innovative Teaching twice. In coffee, he authored, “Water For Coffee”, and has written numerous peer-reviewed articles on the topic. Presently, he leads a laboratory studying the chemical physics of coffee beverage production.
For more information about the lecture series contact Derek Morrelli, Assistant Professor, Chemistry at derek.morrelli@socc.edu or 541-888-7244.
For more information on upcoming lectures 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/.
Oct 1, 2024 | Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, October 10, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm for Critters of Australia.
Join us at the Curry Campus for an informative hour learning about some of the weird and wonderful critters from down under, along with photographs of Australia’s beautiful wildflowers. Vicki Gorham and her husband Bill have enjoyed traveling internationally for many years, and they lived in Australia for two years for Bill’s work.
During that time Vicki was a volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary and also became interested in photography due to the abundance, beauty and variety of Australian wildflowers.
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.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks during fall term focus on travel! For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Sep 30, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6:00 pm, for “Death Valley’s Living Geology: Today’s Landscape in the Context of an Immense Geologic History” with Dr. Marli Miller from The University of Oregon. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in Room 118 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.
About the Lecture:
Death Valley and its surrounding area in southern California and Nevada is one of Earth’s most outstanding geologic destinations. Its setting in a tectonically active area creates an amazing array of continuously evolving landforms and its extreme aridity ensures that those features are readily visible. In addition, Death Valley’s bedrock reveals a geologic history that stretches back more than 1.7 billion years. This history encapsulates most of the events that shaped western North America.
In this 45-minute talk, University of Oregon Geologist Marli Miller will describe the many modern geologic features that make the region come alive for so many people, geologists and non-geologists alike. As the discussion shifts from the modern landforms to the bedrock, she will outline the key events of Death Valley’s geologic history.
About the Presenter:
Marli B. Miller is a senior instructor and researcher at the University of Oregon. She completed her BA in geology at Colorado College in 1982, and her MS and PhD in structural geology at the University of Washington in 1987 and 1992, respectively. Marli teaches a variety of courses, including introductory geology, structural geology, field geology, and geophotography. Dr. Miller has studied and photographed Death Valley geology since the mid-1980’s and recently published the book Death Valley Rocks! Amazing Geologic Sites in America’s Hottest Park. She is also the author of Roadside Geology of Oregon, 2ed and Oregon Rocks! A guide to 60 Amazing Geologic Sites. She will have books available to sign at the lecture.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Win McLaughlin, Assistant Professor, Geology at win.mclaughlin@socc.edu or 541-888-7002.
For more information on upcoming lectures 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/.
Sep 24, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites 5th to 12th grade students to join us for “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) CLUB for Girls” on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. This science-immersion event will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the College’s new health and science building, Umpqua Hall, on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. This is a FREE program.
According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), “Women make up only 34% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.” We want to help inspire young women to pursue these fields.
Students will engage with professors in hands-on activities in Physics & Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, Art, and more. This includes working alongside the college’s SPEAR Student Researchers, who are involved in various STEAM projects. There also will 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.
This new program focuses on supporting and encouraging girls through their STEAM educational journey. We will also share books, podcasts, and other helpful resources focused on girls in science. All who participate in this program will be able to stay connected online where we will continue to mentor and share quarterly news and activities with them. 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.
Register soon as spots are limited. For more information on this event, registration, and other upcoming events, contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
