Southwestern Foundation celebrates year’s successes

The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation general membership gathered to celebrate its progress supporting Southwestern and its programs at its annual membership dinner on June 5 at Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.

Nearly 75 people attended the event – catered by OCCI students – which also featured performances by the Southwestern Chamber Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ida Jo Gates.

Once the program began, Foundation Board Chair Dick Vigue welcomed and introduced Board members and committee chairs updated the membership on their progress, followed by presentations by Southwestern President Dr. Judith Hansen and student Jamie Harrison, who earned the Bay Area Sportsman Association Scholarship. The Foundation also elected its slate of officers for the coming year, which includes Chair Dick Vigue, Vice Chair Bill Lansing, Treasurer Doug Fletcher and Secretary Jean Kyle.

Maxine Smith, of Brookings, was named Laker of the Year for her contributions to the Southwestern Foundation over the past year, including the endowment of the Maxine Smith Scholarship with the help of contributions from the American Association of University Women.

The Southwestern Foundation supports the Southwestern mission of improving people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising as well as fund-raising activities. For more information about the Foundation or to get involved, those interested can call the Foundation Office at 888-7209 or e-mail foundation@socc.edu.

“It was a good time to gather and reflect on the accomplishments of the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation over the past year and to recognize everyone who played a role in that success,” Foundation Executive Director Marie Simonds said. “This has been an exciting year and we look forward to great things to come as we approach future projects and initiatives to continue supporting the Southwestern mission of improving people’s lives.”

Press Release Date: June 18, 2008