Apr 22, 2025 | Community, News
Girls High School Varsity Basketball Tournament at Southwestern Oregon Community College
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College athletics invites high school basketball teams from across the region to participate in the annual Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase—a premier varsity girls basketball tournament set to take place June 19-21, 2025, at the College’s Coos Campus in Coos Bay, Oregon.
With a seven game guarantee, the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase promises a fun tournament for high school girls basketball teams that includes a skills competition, memorable camaraderie and an event barbeque for participants. Teams interested in on-campus housing accommodations can arrange for them at an additional fee.
Registration for the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase is now open. Teams can secure their spot for $500 by registering online HERE. Furthermore, teams registering and submitting their rosters by June 1, 2025, will receive complimentary t-shirts. Hurry, as the tournament will cap at 16 teams.
Tournament Details:
- Dates: June 19-21, 2025
- Location: Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay)
- Registration: $500 per team, register online HERE
- Game Guarantee: 7 games
- Officiating: OSAA Certified Officials
- Additional Events: Skills competition & BBQ
- Accommodations: Teams have the option to stay in on-campus housing for an additional fee (details in registration link)
For more information, including specific inquiries about accommodations and tournament details, please contact Southwestern’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Heather Weber at 541-391-3494 or via email at heather.weber@socc.edu.
Join us for this opportunity to compete, connect, and celebrate basketball at the Ballin’ In The Bay Showcase.
Apr 21, 2025 | OCCI News
Join us for a French-themed La Patisserie bake sale this Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Enjoy fresh, handcrafted pastries, artisan breads, coffee drinks, and more—made by OCCI’s baking and pastry students.
Can’t make it this week? Click here to view the full lineup of Spring 2025 events.
We look forward to seeing you!
MENU THURSDAY, APRIL 24*
*First-come, first-served counter-service style while supplies last. No pre-orders or phone orders accepted. Menu items subject to change.
BREADS & SANDWICHES
- ($5) Brioche Braided Loaf
- ($5) Baguette
- ($5) Sourdough Boule
- BAGUETTE SANDWICHES:
- ($7) Jambon Beurre
- ($7) Salami Cornichon
- ($5) Nutella Candied Orange [VEGAN]
PASTRIES
- ($5) Plain Croissant
- ($7) Chocolate Croissant
- ($7) Raspberry Bow Croissant
- ($5) Éclair
- ($7) Fruit Tartlette
- ($3) French Macaron
DESSERTS
- ($7) Gateaux Saint Honoré
- ($7) Opera Cake
- ($7) Fraisier Mini Gateaux [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($7) Strawberry Pavlova [GLUTEN FREE]
BEVERAGES
- ($5) Latte
- ($5) Cappuccino
- ($3) Espresso
- ($5) Café Noisette
- ($5) Café Viennois
- ($5) Chocolat Chaud
EXTRAS
- ($7) Palmiers
- ($7) Chocolate Coated Feuilletine Pistachios & Salted Almonds
- ($7) Chocolate Truffles [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($5) Chocolate Pot De Crème [GLUTEN FREE]
Apr 18, 2025 | News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for a special online presentation by Oregon State University’s branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA). This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us for a watch party in the Umpqua Hall lecture room (room 184) on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
Curry County residents can join us for a watch party in the Community Room on the Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings.
For those not able to attend in person the lecture will be streamed live on the College’s YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/@southwesternOR/streams.
About the Presentation:
In 2012, a group of students had a goal: to introduce aerospace and aviation to a campus with no formal program for such studies. Oregon State University’s (OSU) branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) was created to fill that void. OSU AIAA is a student-led organization. Since their humble beginnings, they have grown to be one of the largest groups on campus, serving over 200 members in Beaver Nation. We invite you to further explore their vision and the incredible network of students that fuel their success. The presentation will involve a detailed description of all eight teams housed within OSU AIAA. They will have segments explaining who they are, what they do, and many of the benefits students get by being part of this organization.
About the Presenters:
Brayden Haldezos: Brayden is a senior in mechanical & aerospace engineering at Oregon State University. He is the president of OSU’s AIAA student chapter and is passionate about rocketry, human spaceflight, and aviation. He has served as a Command and Data Handling Engineering Mentor for the NASA L’SPACE Program and has interned at NASA Johnson Space Center as a Payload Systems Engineer for human research onboard the International Space Station. He enjoys providing students with resources and opportunities for success, specifically within the aerospace field.
SWOCC SPEAR Alumni, Damian Lilienthal: Damian is a senior at Oregon State University, pursuing a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He is the lead of the High-Altitude Rocket Team (HART), where he manages a team focused on designing a two-stage rocket with a goal of reaching an altitude of 100,000 feet, and he also went through NASA’s NCAS (National Community College Aerospace Scholars) program that ultimately cued his interest in the field. Damian has experience in various aerospace projects with his position in HART, including hands-on expertise in rocket propulsion and structural systems. Passionate about advancing the field, he actively engages in both academic and extracurricular projects to promote the program through presentations and career fairs.
Lukas Knipple: Lukas is in his second year at OSU pursuing his BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering. As an avid fan of aerospace, he joined AIAA’s Solar Plane team and HALE liquid rocketry team when he began at Oregon State. In addition to being the Chief Treasurer of AIAA, he works on design, instrumentation, and control of HALE’s flight vehicle and mobile launch pad electrical systems. All things programming and electrical are his interest, and he hopes to take that passion into the aerospace industry after he graduates.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways, at 541-888-1518, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Apr 18, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the Curry County community to join us on Monday, May 5, 2025, for A Night at the Planetarium. Our mobile planetarium is a digital theater space that immerses viewers in a presentation that takes them on an adventure! Please join us in the lobby of Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings. A variety of shows will be played approximately every 30 minutes. This is a free event and all ages are welcome.
SHOWS AND TIMES:
“Seeing” 4:00 & 6:00 pm
Weaving a tale of the journey of humanity that discovered the science, technology, and medicine that allows us to understand how sight works, cure diseases of the eye and correct vision. 26 min.
“Out There” 4:45 & 6:30 pm
The story of how human curiosity has driven us to look outwards to discover and explore new and distance worlds. 30 min.
“Two Small Pieces of Glass” 5:25 pm
A visually stunning chronicle of the history of the telescope from the time of Galileo, its profound impact upon the science of astronomy, and how both shape the way we view ourselves in the midst of an infinite universe. 22 min.
For more information on upcoming events, please contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways, at 541-888-1518, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Apr 16, 2025 | OCCI News
Join us for an Italian-themed La Patisserie bake sale this Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
Enjoy fresh, handcrafted pastries, artisan breads, coffee drinks, and more—made by OCCI’s baking and pastry students.
Can’t make it this week? Click here to view the full lineup of Spring 2025 events.
We look forward to seeing you!
MENU THURSDAY, APRIL 17*
*First-come, first-served counter-service style while supplies last. No pre-orders or phone orders accepted. Menu items subject to change.
BREADS & PIZZA
- ($5) Rosemary Focaccia
- ($5) Baguette
- ($5) Kalamata Olive Bread
- SICILIAN PIZZA SLICES:
- ($7) Parmesan/prosciutto/Arugula
- ($5) Tomato/Basil [VEGAN]
PASTRIES
- ($5) Plain Croissant
- ($7) Cannoli Croissant
- ($7) Nutella Croissant
- ($7) Zeppoli Di San Giuseppe
- ($7) Maritozzo
GELATO
- ($5) Raspberry Sorbetto [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($5) Coffee Chocolate Chip [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($5) Vanilla [GLUTEN FREE]
BEVERAGES
- ($5) Latte
- ($5) Cappuccino
- ($3) Espresso
- ($7) Affogato [GLUTEN FREE]
DESSERTS
- ($7) Cherry Crostatina
- ($7) Tiramisu
- ($7) Citrus Olive Oil Cake [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($7) Strawberry Pavlova [GLUTEN FREE]
EXTRAS
- ($7) Focaccia Croutons
- ($7) Chocolate Coated Feuilletine Pistacios & Salted Almonds
- ($7) Chocolate Truffles [GLUTEN FREE]
- ($3) Pignoli: Pinenut Cookie [GLUTEN FREE]
Apr 16, 2025 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – Come taste what’s cooking at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI)! This spring, students and instructors invite the community to enjoy freshly made pastries, artisan breads, and chef-prepared meals—while supporting local students gaining real-world experience in the kitchen.
OCCI’s La Patisserie bake sales and Culinary Market Days are hosted by students in the Retail Baking and Culinary Arts programs. The events give aspiring bakers and chefs the opportunity to showcase their skills in a live retail setting, offering thoughtfully crafted goods to the public. Weekly menus will be posted at www.socc.edu/occi prior to the event (click on the “news & events” button) and are subject to change.
La Patisserie Bake Sales
Guests can expect a rotating menu of croissants, pastries, artisan breads, desserts, and handcrafted coffee drinks—made fresh by baking and pastry students. Each week features a unique theme that highlights seasonal flavors and creative techniques.
Culinary Market Days
Beginning in May, Culinary Market Days offer an expanded experience featuring pre-made and take-and-bake culinary goods, presented in a “farmers market” style. In addition to the market offerings, the OCCI Food Truck will be on-site serving up hot meals, and other counter-service lunch options will also be available.
SPRING 2025 SCHEDULE:
Thursdays | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: OCCI – 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay
- April 17 – La Patisserie (Italian Theme)
- April 24 – La Patisserie
- May 1 – **NO EVENTS THIS WEEK**
- May 8 – La Patisserie & Culinary Market
- May 15 – La Patisserie & Culinary Market
- May 22 – La Patisserie & Culinary Market
- May 29 – La Patisserie & Culinary Market
- June 5 – La Patisserie & Culinary Market
All events are first-come, first-served. No pre-orders or phone orders accepted.
Come support our students, enjoy delicious food, and see the next generation of culinary talent in action!
Apr 11, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to honor South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates, and South Coast Head Start with our 2025 Career Technical Education (CTE) Industry Partner of the Year Award. Southwestern’s CTE partners’ steadfast support of our programs has been integral to our students’ success.
South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates has been an essential partner in developing Southwestern’s SWOCC Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. SWOCC Works trains students in entry-level construction skills, OSHA safety training, and heavy equipment operation. It prepares people for jobs in the trades on both the Coos and Curry Campuses.
Photo left to right: Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern; Jeff Bunnell, Operations Manager South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates; Patty Scott, President of Southwestern
South Coast Lumber Co. & Affiliates is a fourth-generation, family-owned business, proudly celebrating 75 years of supporting the Brookings economy and the southern Oregon Coast. Since 1950, they have been committed to producing premium wood products through their sawmill, plywood, and laminated veneer lumber facilities, providing over 500 family-wage jobs to our local communities.
“South Coast Lumber has demonstrated support for the success of our students in both tangible and conceptual ways. Their willingness to collaborate has helped identify and remove barriers for students, and their shared knowledge has helped guide program development. We appreciate the time, care, encouragement, and support of SWOCC’s students,” said Raushanna Dapena, Apprenticeship Program Director.
South Coast Head Start has a long history of partnering with Southwestern, working with Early Childhood faculty to provide practicum placements in high-quality programs in which students refine their skills and learn from masterful teachers.
Photo left to right: Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern; Wendi Baird, Director of South Coast Head Start; Jennifer Gill, Director of Hiring and Licensing South Coast Head Start; Patty Scott, President of Southwestern; Brenda Jackson, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator at Southwestern
South Coast Head Start supports children’s growth from birth to age five through services that promote early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start actively engages parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes. They work tirelessly to ensure children and families receive high-quality services in safe and healthy settings that prepare children for school and life.
Taya Noland, Director of CARE Connections Child Care Resource & Referral, shares, “Head Start has been a key partner in developing the first Early Childhood apprenticeship in Oregon, through which students work toward their AAS in Preschool Development while working at Head Start. This apprenticeship model has gained statewide attention, and this spring marks our first graduates!”
“Head Start has been instrumental in providing pre-kindergarten practicum placements and mentors for pre-service teachers in three degrees: Childhood Education and Family Studies Associate of Science; Preschool Child Development Associate of Applied Science; and Elementary Education Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer. This valuable partnership helps Southwestern provide experienced teachers to serve the needs of families throughout Oregon,” said Brenda Jackson, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator.
It’s with great pleasure that we present these two excellent organizations with our CTE Partner of the Year Award.
To learn more about Southwestern’s career technical training programs call 541-888-7405 to make an appointment with an advisor.
Apr 10, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus
BROOKINGS, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (New Time!) for: Stories from a Chimp Conservationist and Colleague of Jane Goodall.
This is a free program sponsored by the Friends of Curry Campus and will be held in the Community Room on Southwestern’s Curry Campus, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway (off Highway 101), Brookings.
In 1972, Dr. Nancy Merrick had the unique opportunity to study chimpanzee behavior with Jane Goodall at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania, Africa. Nancy was thrilled for the opportunity to follow chimps around the forest, documenting their behavior.
Upon her return to college, she worked at the Stanford Primate Center and subsequently attended medical school at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. She worked for several years as an internist in Ventura, California, and retired a few years ago.
In 2008 Nancy returned for a visit to Gombe along with her family, and was devastated to see how the local villages had encroached on the chimp reserve, reducing the number of trees greatly, and inhibiting the chimps’ movements. She then became involved in chimpanzee conservation efforts, working with a non-profit called Friends of Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, of which she is president.
In 2014 she published a book relating her experiences entitled “Among Chimpanzees – Field Notes from the Race to Save Our Endangered Relatives.” The book was featured by National Geographic’s Book Talk and praised by the New York Times Science Section. Nancy continues to be involved in conservation efforts and is currently working with local people and a chimp community in Bulindi, Uganda, where her colleagues there have named a baby chimp after her, Merrick!
Join us for an insider look at wild chimpanzees and the ongoing effort to maintain their endangered habitat, as well as the present connection with their local human counterparts.
Explore, grow and create with the Friends of Curry Campus on the second Thursday of every month during the school year. Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Apr 8, 2025 | OCCI News
Join us for a Spring Term 2025 Pop-Up Sale!
Start off your day with freshly made selection of breads, pastries, pizza, beverages…and more!
No pre-orders—first come, first served.
📅 Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – Noon
📍 Location: OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay
MENU ITEMS
BREADS
Focaccia, baguette and olive bread – $5.00
PASTRIES
Plain croissant – $5
Cannoli croissant – $7
Nutella croissant – $7
Zeppoli Di San Giuseppe – $7
Maritozzo – $7
SICILIAN PIZZA SLICES
Prosciutto arugula – $7
Tomato Basil – $5
DESSERTS
Cherry crostatina – $7
Tiramisu – $7
Citrus olive oil cake (GF!) $7
EXTRAS
Focaccia croutons – $7
Chocolate coated pistachios & almonds – $7
BEVERAGES
Latte – $5
Cappuccino – $5
Espresso $3
Affogato – $7
Apr 1, 2025 | Statements
Community Colleges work for Oregon
April is National Community College Month. Colleges statewide are celebrating our students’ success and the vital role we play in strengthening Oregon’s workforce, economy, and communities. As chair of the Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education, I and my six fellow board members are pleased to serve our college district and residents. We are fortunate every day to see the positive impact this college has in our coastal communities along Hwy 101 from Reedsport to Brookings and inland to Coquille, Myrtle Point, Agness, and Powers.
Statewide, community college’s serve more than 200,000 students annually with affordable, accessible education to students of all backgrounds. At SWOCC last year, more than 4,600 students enrolled in classes. The majority of these students work while going to college. They plan to gain two-year or transfer degrees in their chosen career pathways, or short-term specialized training tied directly to high-demand jobs.
SWOCC’s alums are small business owners. Nurses, commercial fisherman, firefighters, professional chefs. Many are office workers, medical and dental assistants, city managers, accountants, teachers, marine fabricators. SWOCC’s alumni are writers, counselors, EMTs, Biologists, corrections workers, coaches, police officers and bankers. Many more work in good jobs that support hundreds of families.
From healthcare to manufacturing, information technology to public service, no matter where you go in businesses and communities on the south coast, you will likely meet current and former students of this college. The economic impact of their success after SWOCC is significant.
When former students gain jobs, they earn higher wages and increase spending, which supports local business. As a result of their contributions, there’s less reliance on taxpayer-funded public assistance and less crime. They buy homes and commercial property. This creates a positive ripple effect in our towns for long-term economic stability.
Investing in community colleges means investing in Oregon’s future. Yes, property taxes fund 32% of the college’s budget. Tuition and fees fund 25% and the Oregon Legislature allocates the biggest share of support at 40%. This year, to fully fund Oregon’s 17 community colleges statewide requires the Legislature to approve a state investment of $920 million.
We are counting on it and urge the Legislature to fully support this workforce investment. This investment will have a tremendously positive impact for the future, particularly in our rural region of Oregon.
Sincerely,
Marcia Jensen, Board Chair
Board members Maria Sudduth, Jeremy Skinner, Cal Mukumoto, Chris Haynsworth, Kathy Piper Erickson and Susan Anderson
Southwestern Oregon Community College
