Wyden, Merkley: $2.5 Million to Go to Oregon College Prep Programs for Underserved Students
Photo: Trio Talent Search students on a field trip to the Hatfield Aquarium in Newport, OR (2019).
U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that seven college preparation programs all over the state will receive a combined more than $2.5 million to increase the number of young Oregonians from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in postsecondary education.
“Programs like these can make the difference in an Oregon student’s life between starting out with a high school diploma or as a high school dropout,” Wyden said. “Every student deserves the chance to pursue their passion. Since students from disadvantaged backgrounds often face more barriers to postsecondary education, it’s critical to invest in college prep services that can help them. I am gratified to see these incredible Oregon programs earn federal dollars to tackle this challenge head on and give every student a fair shot.”
“Every Oregonian should have access to a quality education, regardless of their zip code or how much money their parents have,” said Merkley. “As the first in my family to graduate from college, I know how hard that transition can be. A little extra support can make a big difference and I am pleased that we were able to secure federal resources to help provide more higher learning opportunities for our students. I will continue to push for support that will create pathways for our students to succeed.”
Southwestern Oregon Community College will receive $622,986 for the Talent Search program, which provides academic, career, and financial counseling to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. “Southwestern has been fortunate to have Trio Talent Search funding since 1991. It’s wonderful that we now have another five-year grant renewal. Talent Search Helps over 1,100 students annually on the South coast reach their educational goals. It truly changes lives and families,” shared Sharilyn Brown, Education Talent Search/Upward Bound Director at Southwestern.
Funded projects provide tutoring services, career exploration, aptitude assessments, counseling, mentoring programs, workshops, information on postsecondary institutions, financial literacy education or counseling services, guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry, alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts, and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are English Language Learners, students with disabilities, homeless students, students aging out of foster care, and other disconnected students.
For more information about the Trio Talent Search program at Southwestern visit www.socc.edu/trio or call 541-888-7223.
COOS BAY, OR – Pacific Power Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation to help purchase high-quality microscopes in the new state-of-the-art science labs in Umpqua Hall.
SWOCC Foundation added an additional $20,000 to the Science Team Energizes Micro-Biology project to purchase 24 Leica compound microscopes for students and a high-tech teaching microscope for faculty.
“With a new lab, it’s important to have excellent equipment, and Leica is top of the line,” Biology Professor Dr. Bob Fields said. “I am excited for our students to use these excellent microscopes and integrate the newest technology in teaching.”
The majority of SWOCC’s students take science classes, whether they are majoring in science fields or pursuing general associates degrees. For students starting on their pathways to medicine, dentistry, marine biology, and a variety of science fields, Umpqua Hall’s new high-quality labs and specialized microscopes are essential.
“A project like this is of particular interest to Pacific Power, in part because Pacific Power’s CEO is very supportive of STEM education and science-based education,” said Sam Carter, the company’s regional business manager. “We are looking forward to seeing students returning to college and using these microscopes in the fall.”
The other important aspect is this project is the science labs now have enough microscopes for two labs. It ensures every student in a class has access to a microscope of their own. Having enough equipment for individual use gives students more time to explore the microscopic world and develop their skills. Individual scopes also will help the college comply with safety guidelines during the COVID pandemic and protect students’ health. It also means instructors no longer will have scramble to move microscopes from room to room, between classes.
Instructors are pleased with the teaching scope, too. It features a digital screen, allowing an instructor to enlarge and visually isolate specimens to help students better understand what they are looking for and the fundamentals of identification.
“I can show in bigger and greater detail, “here’s what you’re looking for,” Fields said. “Or, if a student finds something very interesting, particularly if we’re doing pond or water work, then I can showcase what they’ve found so other students can look.”
Having the ability to capture digital images also gives instructors the ability to share more with students in online classes and adapt lessons.
Purchasing equipment is the final step in the development Umpqua Hall, a $24 million project funded almost entirely by grants and community donations. Designed to inspire tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and health care professionals, Southwestern’s new science, nursing and paramedicine labs open Monday, Sept. 13, with the start of fall term.
The college has scheduled an open house for the community to tour the building and talk with faculty from 2-6 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 24.
Photo from left to right:Dr. Robert Fields, Biology Professor; Sam Carter, Pacific Power Regional Business Manager; Amy Burgess, Science Lab Assistant
About the Pacific Power Foundation
The Pacific Power Foundation is one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.8 million customers in six Western states as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/foundation or www.rockymountainpower.net/foundation.
About the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation
The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation exists to benefit Southwestern Oregon Community College and provide adequate resources to improve every student socially, culturally, economically and educationally. For more information, visit www.socc.edu/foundation.
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College announces the names of students who excelled spring term 2020-2021. These students are being recognized with placement on the college’s Dean’s List (DL), Honor Roll (HR) and Academic Excellence (AE) list.
• Academic Excellence – students must receive a GPA of 4.0 in at least 12 credits
• Honor Roll – students must receive a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 in at least 12 credits
• Dean’s List – students must receive a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 in at least 12 credits
“Congratulations! … you have been Provisionally Accepted into the Fall 2020 Nursing Program”
Sometimes life takes you in a circle that ultimately brings you home.
McCaffree’s story started long before she enrolled in SWOCC’s nursing program. Having grown up in North Bend, she worked as a certified nursing assistant for many years. She tried SWOCC for a while after high school, but quit to do other things.
“Life got ahead of me. I stopped. I wish I wouldn’t have,” McCaffee said.
She eventually landed in Idaho, working in human resources in a hospital. Her office was outside the operating room corridor. Drawn toward the action, she got to know the staff, and realized she missed working with patients. She wanted change in her life. Friends prodded her to go into nursing.
It’s not easy finding a nursing program. McCaffree loved Idaho. She looked into universities and small colleges there. Nothing seemed like a good fit, or their programs were too expensive. So, she called her mom in North Bend.
Her mom told her, “Hey did you hear? SWOCC got a big grant and they’re building a new nursing building. They’re going to accept more students.”
McCaffree did some research. SWOCC’s nursing program was changing, growing. It also was gaining in reputation for turning out good nurses.
Irony is, sometimes what you’re searching for is where you least expect it. McCaffree decided to return to her hometown.
“My great grandmother was a charge nurse for McAuley hospital (once in Coos Bay) for decades. I heard from family members that she was a very strong and determined woman who was well respected in her field. I hope I can follow in her footsteps,” McCaffree said.
That drive to succeed, that grit runs in the family. McCaffree overcame all the doubts in her head – fear of failure and the challenge of studying in a pandemic. Today, she is finishing her first year in SWOCC’s nursing program. She’s engaged and her education has put her on a path to a successful career.
“It’s a life-changing decision, but you can do it,” McCaffree said. “One day at a time.”
Southwestern may appear to be small college on the map, but its swim team made a big splash at the national level. We are the Lakers, after all.
At this year’s NJCAA National Championships, Southwestern swimmers finished on top:
First place in women’s 100-yard individual medley.
First place in men’s 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
Second top-scoring college nationwide.
The teams brought home a total of 85 medals.
“It was a phenomenal meet for us as far as results go. The best year ever,” Coach Sandra Bullocksaid.
Jacqueline Feurtado, a sophmore from Wahroonga, Australia, earned the honor of first national champion and NJCAA All-American for the women’s program with a first-place finish in the individual medley. She set a school record time of 58.52.
Practice was tough this year, with COVID and masking. Social distancing rules reached even into the water. Feurtado and teammates endured. She found the strength to excel through the support of her team.
“It’s just like through hard sets; you’re just always encouraging and positive. … We’re just working through it, because you want to go to nationals. You just have to look at the bigger picture in the end,” she said.
Sophomore Alejandro Robles Ruiz from Almuñecar, Spain, brought home three individual National Champion titles. He also set new school records in all three events during the meet. He was the highest scoring Laker in program history with 76 points.
And, Coach Bullock? She is the NJCAA Women’s Coach of the Year. Not bad for a small college, from a small town on the southern Oregon coast.
A global team
“I’m coming back!” – Ximena Lucio Calzada
2020-21 has been challenging. Academically, the swimmers excelled. These men and women have a team overall GPA of 3.52. But, swimmers dove into a season not knowing whether they could compete.
“I swim through things, so swimming helps me stay focused on everything,” said freshman Wyatt Smith. “I came hoping to compete. I definitely enjoyed it a lot more than I expected.”
Words from a man who literally drove last fall for three days through fires from Albequerque, New Mexico, to get to Oregon to swim.
Ultimately, swimmers come for a chance to excel with Coach Bullock’s leadership and join a winning team, and a team that forms an incredibly tight bond.
“It was just an amazing feeling to know that we were all there together and ending it on a really good note.” – Libbey Ketchum
“The first day of nationals was really nerve-racking for me,” said Libbey Ketchum. “After my long distance event, I got a really good time. And, I got hugs from everyone, even the coach and the team. Then, the last day, the last two relays of the night, everyone was cheering so loud. It was just an amazing feeling to know that we were all there together and ending it on a really good note.”
“We’re really close together. … We’re all in the bleachers supporting one another. We’re there for one another. We get really excited seeing each other succeed,” said Connor Spanos.
Spanos came to Southwestern by way of Seward, Alaska, and Ketchum from Roseburg, Oregon. Other swimmers come from around the world. Many of Southwestern’s swimmers reach out to agencies for help finding a good college fit.
“With COVID it was quite difficult. Coach Bullock reached out to me. We had good conversations, so I felt comfortable coming,” said Emile Dost, who crossed an ocean from The Netherlands to compete.
Southwestern is a launching point
“I’m a freshman. I’m coming back!” said Ximena Lucio Calzada, who will travel home to Mexico City over the summer. Lucio loved it here this year, traveling to nationals and getting to meet new people.
“My teammates were really proud of me, and that’s what really inspired me.” – Connor Spanos
Out of this year’s 26-member swim program, 19 are freshmen. Community college is an opportunity to compete and an affordable step forward, offering opportunities to grow. Coach Bullock already has firm commitments from several to return for fall 2021. She is pleased with the team dynamics. Six of the seven sophomores are headed to NCAA and NAIA universities to swim.
“We have a great culture. It’s built upon positivity and encouragement. Everyone has a role, a place, no matter how talented you are,” she said.
To connect with Coach Sandra Bullock and learn more about Southwestern and our swim team, go to www.socc.edu or call 541-297-2158. Or, connect with Coach Bullock directly through the Lakers Recruit Questionnaire.
