May 7, 2021 | Alumni, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to announce the selection of Donald Ivy of Coos Bay as the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus.
Ivy is Chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe, a position he has held since 2014. In a nomination supported by educators, tribal leaders, former lawmakers, and Oregon’s governor, advocates for the award describe Ivy as representing “the best of what any educational institution hopes to achieve.” He encourages “individuals to think deeply, make an impact, share their knowledge and go on to encourage others to do the same.”
A quest to learn and remember
Ivy has made it his lifetime endeavor to work in growing knowledge, understanding history and engaging youth. The state of Oregon honored him with its Heritage Excellence Award in 2013. The following year, the University of Oregon appointed Ivy as its first-ever Tribal Elder in Residence.
“This honor is a reminder of the great privilege I have to know the people I know. I am thankful for the graces and goodwill of other people more accomplished than me who have allowed me into their space,” Ivy said.
Ivy has published articles on history and archaeology. He is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum. While heading the Coquille Tribe’s cultural program, he oversaw creation of the Kilkich Youth Corps, which provides workplace skills, mentoring and summer employment to tribal teens.
An advocate for education
“Don Ivy came to our college in the mid-1990s to learn about the land, history and philosophy. He has used that knowledge to become in many ways a teacher for us all. He is a genuine leader who brings people together with shared vision for self-improvement and making our state better,” said Southwestern President Patty Scott.
Ivy served for several years on the college’s Foundation, advocating for the need to support scholarships and invest in quality facilities and training for residents of the south Oregon coast region. Under his leadership, the Coquille Indian Tribe was the college’s first vocal supporter and partner in building the college’s new Health & Science Technology center. The building will open in fall 2021, providing modern labs for training new generations of scientists, engineers and health care professionals.
“When I talk to somebody who’s a SWOCC student, I talk to them about the technology building. I see the excitement in our nursing students and others, and that building how important it is to them,” Ivy said. “I’m hoping the doors swing open in the fall and we fill it with students, and know we have accomplished a great thing.”
The Southwestern Foundation typically honors Distinguished Alumni in a celebration in coordination with graduation. This year, the college is postponing a Distinguished Alumni celebration until tentatively fall 2021.
“The whole COVID thing has challenged us with asking, ‘What are those things that are the most deeply rooted, the big important things that really, really matter,” Ivy said. “Celebration of community is hugely important. It reminds us to be together.”
This is the 30th year Southwestern has honored alumni who have demonstrated significant contributions to their professions, communities, or academia. To learn more about the college, go to www.socc.edu.
Mar 23, 2021 | News
Coos Bay, OR — Southwestern Oregon Community College is thrilled to announce that student Jordyn Tippett has been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. This accolade comes on the heels of her being selected for the All-Oregon Academic Team.
Having moved to Coos Bay four years ago, at Southwestern, Jordyn has been heavily involved in college life. She’s a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, serves as vice president of the TRIO Student Support Services Club, as well as being a peer mentor and tutor for the program. After graduating this spring, she will continue her education transferring to Western Oregon University where she will study psychology and business.
Jordyn shares, “I aspire to become a counselor and provide comprehensive services to my rural community. My plan is to receive my degree in counseling so I can create a new cohesive and alternative style to counseling. I want to be a strong professional and supportive matriarch to guide others to their best life.”
Southwestern offers many opportunities for students to excel through clubs and support groups. Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges, helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. For information on Phi Theta Kappa at Southwestern please email amy.smith@socc.edu or nicole.freim@socc.edu.
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program that provides select students with free academic support services designed to help them succeed in college and prepare for their next steps. For more information on the benefits of the TRIO SSS program please visit www.socc.edu/trio or call 541-888-7419.
About the Awards
The All-Oregon Community College Academic Team, a part of the national All-State Community College Academic Team program, recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Students are nominated for the All-Oregon Academic Team by their college administrators. Phi Theta Kappa – the community college honor society – along with community college presidents and community college state associations sponsor All-State Community College Academic Team ceremonies in 38 participating states.
Selection as a Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar is based on scores the student earns in the All-USA Academic Team competition. This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizes 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”
Mar 15, 2021 | Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, Ore. – Since Covid-19 has radically changed the way students connect with each other in our community, the TRIO staff at Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) has been extra-creative finding ways to safely engage their students in learning and community service opportunities.
Southwestern received its first TRIO grant in 1991 and now has four TRIO projects that serve almost 1,300 families in Coos, Curry and western Douglas County. Students who participate in TRIO programs are twice as likely to enroll in and graduate from college than students from similar backgrounds who do not receive services. TRIO programs, funded by the US Department of Education, have been providing valuable, supportive services for over 50 years to students who are first-generation college students or who meet income guidelines, to help them successfully enter college and graduate. TRIO Talent Search and Upward Bound pre-college programs provide valuable services to middle school and high school students including assistance in choosing a college, tutoring, personal and financial counseling, career counseling, assistance in applying to college, workplace and college visits and assistance in applying for financial aid. TRIO Student Support Services at the college level is an academic support program for students that provides a designated computer lab and study area, career exploration, academic advising and transfer planning, financial aid and scholarship assistance, a lending library with textbooks and laptops, peer mentoring and tutoring, campus visits to Oregon’s four-year schools, and cultural enrichment activities.
Although TRIO has not been able to offer the popular college campus visits for students to explore their options, there are still ways for students to safely participate in new experiences. For example, in January, North Bend High School (NBHS) TRIO students challenged Marshfield High School (MHS) TRIO to a virtual College Lingo Bingo match. The NBHS team won Scoops gift certificates and the chance to see the MHS TRIO advisor get “pied” on video! However, MHS was victorious in a February rematch so their team got ice cream and the NBHS TRIO advisors got pie in the face.
In addition to those friendly and hilarious competitions, a small group of TRIO students from our middle schools, high schools, and SWOCC participated in a socially distancedTRIO Rocks! rock painting project on February 27th at a local park. Students decorated rocks with amazing art and positive words to hide all over town and bring a smile to the people in our community. If you find a rock with a “TRIO Rocks” sticker on the bottom, please be sure to send a photo of it to #TRIORocks!
If we can’t make our annual trip to the Wildlife Safari in Winston, no problem, the Safari will come to us! Next month, Wildlife Safari will bring a Cheetah Ambassador to town and give TRIO a special outdoor program about cheetahs and their world-renowned cheetah breeding program. Whether it’s a pie in the face or traveling cheetahs, TRIO finds ways to keep our students connected and interested.
All of Southwestern’s TRIO programs have an opportunity to serve more students in our community. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from TRIO, please call 541-888-7223 and let them know if you want information for a middle school, high school, or college student.
Mar 10, 2021 | News
Didn’t complete high school? Don’t let it close doors permanently in your life. Meet Zac Warner, who is studying physics and engineering. He’s a stellar example of what’s possible.
Zac came to Southwestern and earned his GED in 2019. His high score on the GED exams earned him a big scholarship to start college on a pathway to a career.
“I knew I wanted a career in a STEM field and did my research,” he said. “Electrical engineering was the best fit for me and something I could see myself doing for 40 years.”
That’s just part of his story.
Zac has overcome more than most people. He beat addiction and homelessness. He spent time in jail. Today, he attributes his turnaround to his strong religious faith. With support from his parole officer, Zac jumped through every hoop he needed to regain custody of his son.
“I did everything I could to make it happen and even took extra parenting classes that weren’t required.”
Zac is now in his second year of college, a single parent to an energetic
son, and is maintaining a 4.0 GPA! He also works as a tutor at SWOCC.
“I love tutoring. I get to help students in general, but I also get to help many of them work towards their GED. People who are just like me when I decided to get my act together,” he said.
Zac’s excited to be completing his education soon in the new state-of-the-art Health & Science Technology building on the Coos Campus. And, he’s got advice for other people struggling in life.
“The world will always give you an excuse to quit. It has to be your choice to keep going. None of the excuses matter,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you were, where you came from, or what you’ve done. It matters who you’re going to be, where you’re going, and what you’re going to do next. Don’t let your past or other people stop you from growing.”
And this just in . . . Zac was recently accepted into the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program. Zac earned a spot at a nine-day virtual experience with NASA. As a highly competitive program, NCAS gives students the opportunity to interact and network with NASA engineers and scientists. NCAS can become a stepping stone to an exciting future career in STEM. Congratulations to Zac for being invited to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
For more information about Southwestern’s physics and engineering degrees visit: https://physics.socc.edu/.
Mar 8, 2021 | News
Fall term 2021, COVID-willing, Southwestern’s science, nursing and paramedicine instructors will welcome students into their new labs.
Imagine working on a team of inventors in a highly advanced physics and engineering lab.
You (or maybe your daughter or son) study alongside a trained NASA scientist. You experiment with solar power systems and other forms of energy. New equipment. New technology. A new solar-powered science building blended into science curriculum.
“The best thing is we can bring more students in and accommodate more projects and experiments,” said Dr. Aaron Coyner, associate professor of Physics & Engineering.
Doc Coyner spent time at NASA’s space flight center studying the universe. It’s big out there, and that makes teaching at a community college in Coos Bay appealing to a guy like him. Coyner loves his small classes. He loves involving students in NASA projects, teaching them the elements of scientific research. He loves working side-by-side with tomorrow’s thinkers and tinkerers.
SWOCC is affordable
For many local students, easing into community college with personal tutoring and small classes puts them on a pathway to successfully completing school and landing a good job. It’s also affordable.
An average student taking 12 credit hours per term will spend about $5,300 in tuition and fees at Southwestern — approximately half that of a state university. Financial aid packages are available, and the college offers nearly $1 million in scholarship aid each year. This includes scholarships specifically for students pursuing physics and engineering related degrees.
“I’m studying civil engineering. I plan to build roads and bridges,” said Beausang Conley, as he and two other students got a sneak peek of the new physics lab with Doc Coyner.
Local students like Conley from Reedsport, Bandon, and towns far away, come to learn the basics of creating products, experimenting with green energy and designing advanced structures and systems. Some graduate in two years and move directly into careers. Others transfer to universities such as Oregon State and Portland State for more advanced training.
SWOCC is a professional learning destination
“This is an interactive, comfortable environment, with student study areas,” said Biology Professor Bob Fields about the new building.
Bob Fields has taught at Southwestern for 22 years. Right now, he is ordering compound microscopes for the biology and microbiology labs so all students have access to equipment. “Biology is a visual science. Professional quality microscopes are essential; so is a professional setting,” Fields said.
Students can explore options
“With this building and the new equipment, educationally this a great launch pad for students to pursue their training,” said Dr. Patti Gates, O.D.
Dr. Patti Gates is a local optometrist. She grew up in Myrtle Point and gives back by serving on the Southwestern Foundation. She fundraised to build these labs and for scholarships to get more students through the doors. She knows what it’s like for students to learn in high-quality labs, having studied in a brand new building with inspiring instructors when she was in college 30 years ago.
“There’s a trickle-down effect,” Dr. Gates explained. “If I have an employee whose son or daughter decides to go to Southwestern, that student will have a better learning experience. If that student becomes a paramedic, at some point you or I may be the person who benefits from that expertise.”
