Coquille resident Heagy named Laker of the Year

As a lifelong educator, Coquille resident Dorothy Heagy says “Education is my mission; my passion in life.”

Heagy’s support of lifelong learning and Southwestern Oregon Community College make her a fitting selection as the second Laker of the Year. The Southwestern Foundation recognized Heagy with that award recently at its Annual Dinner.

A long-time teacher, Heagy taught students from kindergarten through doctorate level studies in her six-decade career in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. From 1971 until her retirement in 1981, Heagy taught in the Coquille Public School District.

As an advocate of lifelong learning, Heagy also has devoted a great deal of her time, energy and enthusiasm to Southwestern in a variety of capacities. She has served Southwestern as an instructor, a College Board of Education member from 1992 to 2001 and as a Foundation Board member for about eight years. Her involvement with the Foundation included establishing its first Charitable Remainder Trust.

The Laker of the Year, awarded annually, honored Heagy from nominations submitted by the Foundation Board. She received a plaque for her contributions to Southwestern and the Foundation at the second-annual Foundation membership meeting on June 7. Heagy was modest in her comments about receiving the award.

“It’s a very flattering award,” she said. “I’m very happy but I think there have been other people who have done more.”

Press Release Date: June 12, 2007