Southwestern hosts groundbreaking in Curry County

Southwestern Oregon Community College officials, state legislators, local public officials and community members gathered last weekend to celebrate the future of higher education in Curry County.

Nearly 70 individuals came together Saturday at the proposed future site of the Southwestern Curry County Campus north of Brookings for a groundbreaking celebration. The 10-acre piece of property recently was deeded to the College by Rio Tinto Minerals. Focus group meetings comprising community members and stakeholders are scheduled to begin this spring to plan for the future of a Southwestern campus in Curry County. At the meetings, community members will be able to offer input into what types of facilities and offerings they’d like to see in Curry County.

“We are going to have … a real campus that will meet educational needs and workforce development needs,” Southwestern Board of Education Chair Marcia Jensen said. “I want you to know there will be a wonderful opportunity for the people of Curry County to share ideas with our Master Planning architects. … We’re looking forward to a bright future here in Curry County for everyone.”

Once architectural plans are complete, Southwestern will go through the city’s land use and planning process before construction. Currently, the College has budgeted $9.6 million for the project. Curry County tax money collected since it joined the College District, in the amount of $2.3 million, was set aside for the project. Southwestern has appropriated another $5 million of anticipated funding to the project. Recently the state Legislature also approved $2.3 million in matching funds. It took a bipartisan effort, according to Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, to secure that funding.

“This has been such a collaborative effort and collaborative effort is the way things get done,” Kruse said. “This is not a partisan issue; it just makes sense.”

Rep. Wayne Krieger, R-Gold Beach, who championed the capital campaign in the state Legislature, pointed to the need for educational opportunities for many single-parent families in Curry County and to help the local workforce transition away from diminishing opportunities in the timber and fishing industries.

“It is going to happen and it’s been a long, long time,” Krieger said. “They’re going to have a real opportunity for them to find education.”

Saturday’s event was focused on celebrating the generous gift from Rio Tinto and gazing at the future opportunities that would be realized by increased accessibility to higher education and workforce development in Curry County. Speakers included Dennis Boyle, Rio Tinto director of land, Americas; Rep. Krieger; Sen. Kruse; Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay; Chair Jensen; Southwestern President Dr. Judith M.L. Hansen; Southwestern Curry County Dean Peggy Goergen; and Brookings Mayor Pat Sherman.

“Development can be harmonious with conservation and I want to thank the city and the people of Brookings for helping to make this happen,” Boyle told the audience, most of which gathered under a tent as the overcast weather threatened to turn to mist.

Currently served by small outreach centers in Gold Beach, Port Orford and Brookings, Curry County has been in need of a campus since joining the College District in 1995. Mayor Sherman pointed to the importance of having a solid college presence for economic development and attracting new businesses to Curry County.

“It’s so nice to have this bright spot where we have a chance to get together and celebrate something new in our community,” Sherman said. “Having a talented and skilled workforce will contribute to economic development.”

Roblan – himself a community college graduate – addressed how community colleges open the door to higher education for many students because of the reasonable tuition and ability to save money by staying close to home.

“It’s a great day for Oregon because it means that higher education will be accessible in this part of the state,” Roblan said. “It’s also a great day for Southwestern … and it’s a great day for students in Curry County.”

Goergen, who was a crucial cog in the Curry County annexation and has been leading Southwestern’s efforts in the county from the beginning, gave her remarks in the form of a story, symbolizing what a fairytale it’s been to bring college accessibility to the people of Curry County so that citizens of all ages can take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities, college transfer courses and job training.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my dream come true,” she said.

Press Release Date: May 15, 2007