Feb 21, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – Experience an evening of culinary excellence and exquisite wines as the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) and Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation present the 2025 Winemaker’s Dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The Winemaker’s Dinner immerses guests in an evening of conversation and storytelling with premier Oregon winery King Estate Winery. Scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, the menu will pair five wines with the fine cuisine of award-winning OCCI Executive Chef Randy Torres and his student chefs. This multi-course meal will feature carefully crafted food and wine pairings that highlight the unique and complimentary attributes of spectacular Northwest cuisine.
Sit down among friends. Learn about the history of the vineyard, which was planted on 16 acres in 1992 and eventually developed into today’s 1,033-acre world class winery. The conversation will touch on propagation, terroir and the art of fermentation. The winery produces 23 varieties of red, white, rose and sparkling wines, and is touted as North America’s largest certified biodynamic vineyard.
“This Winemaker’s Dinner is more than a celebration of fine food and excellent wine – it’s a showcase of our students’ dedication, skill and passion for learning. We strive to inspire excellence in our students, which you will experience at this intimate event. Every plate tells the story of their hard work, and every dollar raised helps us shape the future of the next generation of culinary professionals,” said Chef Torres.
Tickets for this fundraising event are $190 per person. Seating is limited. “We are grateful for this support and ultimately being able to support the local economy and provide excellent chefs for the tourism and culinary industries,” Torres said.
For more information or to purchase seats, please contact the Southwestern Foundation at (541) 888-7209, email foundation@socc.edu. or go to www.socc.edu/give.
Feb 13, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for “Sea Otters in Oregon: Road to Return” with Kyle Motley, Coastal Community Coordinator, Elakha Alliance. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person 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 Lecture:
Join us for an in-depth exploration of sea otters, their ecological role, and their historical significance along the Oregon Coast. As the Coastal Community Coordinator for the Elakha Alliance, Kyle Motley will share the fascinating history of these iconic marine mammals, discuss the vital ecological functions they serve in coastal ecosystems, and outline the considerations involved in their potential reintroduction to Oregon. This presentation highlights the intersection of science, culture, and community in restoring balance to our coastal waters.
About the Presenter:
Kyle has an extensive background working with endangered species, threatened ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and watershed restoration projects on private and public lands. He received his Master of Science (MS) degree in natural resources from the University of Vermont, where he focused on forest ecology. He has worked on monitoring, restoration, and forestry projects with the United States Forest Service, the National Park Service, and several local government agencies around the country. Since moving to the south coast six years ago, Kyle has worked with local non-profit groups to successfully implement habitat restoration projects focused on coho salmon and oak woodlands. He is extremely excited to be able to use his stakeholder engagement and community outreach skills for the Elakha Alliance.
For more information about the lecture series contact Amy Burgess, Assistant Professor of Biology at amy.burgess@socc.edu or 541-888-7496.
For more information on upcoming lectures contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Photo by Gretchen Kay Stuart
Feb 13, 2025 | Community, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College athletics is hosting a Baseball Clinic during spring break on March 24, 2025. It will take place on Southwestern’s baseball field and will be taught by current SWOCC baseball coaches and players. The clinic will run from 10am to 1pm and is open to K-8th grade.
Participants are asked to bring baseball attire, bat, glove, helmet, and water. There is no cost for the clinic due to generous donations made by GrayGuns, Reedsport Youth Sports, and anonymous donors.
Clinic Details:
- Date: March 24, 2025; 10am-1pm
- Location: Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay); Baseball Field
- Cost: FREE
- Registration: Please register ahead of time HERE.
Baseball Clinic 2025 Registration
For more information email Head Baseball Coach David Deutschman at david.deutschman@socc.edu or swoccathletics@socc.edu.
Feb 3, 2025 | Community, Curry Campus, News, Student Success
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the community to join us on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 6:00 pm, for a special 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 in-person 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.
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 the OSU campus, serving over 200 members in the Beaver Nation. We invite you to 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 and 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. Damian 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.
Nicholas Alves: Nick is a junior majoring in electrical engineering at Oregon State University. He serves as the Social Media Coordinator for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) club at OSU and as the avionics co-lead for the High-Altitude Rocket Team (HART). His passion lies in aerospace and advancing humanity’s future in space exploration.
Quade Stiansen: Quade is a senior pursuing a dual Bachelor’s degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering at Oregon State University. He is on the executive board for the AIAA club and assists the Student Competition Rocket Payload Team. Quade’s passion began in high school after he was introduced to the FIRST Robotics Competition. He hopes to pursue a career in the aerospace industry, potentially working for companies like SpaceX and NASA.
Lukas Knipple: Lukas is in his second year at OSU pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and 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 please contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
To learn more about STEM degrees at Southwestern visit: https://www.socc.edu/programs-classes/stem/.
Jan 24, 2025 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – This Valentine’s Day, treat your loved ones—or yourself—to something truly special. Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) is offering an array of handcrafted desserts, all prepared with care by talented pastry chefs and students. Proceeds from the sales will directly benefit the culinary competition team, helping these talented students showcase their skills on a national stage.
Order a variety of treats from this year’s menu, including:
Chocolate Covered Strawberries (GF): $5 each or $25 for a box of 6
Chocolate Bon Bon Assortment (GF): $12 for a box of 4 (1 of each flavor) or $36 for a box of 12 (3 of each flavor)
- Yuzu Ganache Strawberry Jam
- Sea Salt Caramel
- Hot Honey Milk Chocolate Ganache
- Hazelnut Baileys and Cream
Mini Frosted Sugar Cookie Hearts: $20 for a bag of 12
French Macaron Assortment (GF): $18 for a box of 6 or $36 for a box of 12
Mini Dessert Assortment (Gluten Free Options Available): $45 for one of each assortment…
- Love Letter – Vanilla Caramel Bourbon Crunch
- Tiramisu – Coffee Mascarpone Chocolate
- Berry Lovely – Strawberry Raspberry Vanilla
- I’m In Deep – Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate
ORDERING DETAILS:
Place your order by Friday, February 7, 2025, to ensure availability! Pick-up orders on Friday, February 14, 2025. Call 541-888-7309 or Email. In-person orders also accepted at the following locations. Pick up your order from the same location you place your order:
- OCCI (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay | 541-888-7309)
- Past to Present Emporium (281 S. Broadway, Coos Bay | 541-808-9553)
Don’t miss out on these handcrafted desserts! Order today and join us in making this Valentine’s Day extra sweet.
For more information about OCCI, visit www.socc.edu/occi.
Jan 23, 2025 | Alumni, Community, Curry Campus, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Hall of Fame Committee to honor former athletes, teams, coaches, and those that have had a large impact on the school and its athletic program. Two teams covering a wide range of Laker history will make up the Southwestern Oregon Community College Hall of Fame’s class of 2025.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 3:00pm during the annual sports awards.
This year’s inductees are the First Women’s and Men’s Soccer teams (1996-1997) coached by Shaun Kohn and assisted by Uele Hunkin*.
The women’s soccer team consisted of:
- Tara Orme*
- Hollee Scott*
- Heather Olson*
- Nicole Webber*
- Jamie Brock*
- Jamie Churchill*
- Aloha Yoshinaga*
- Robin Hughes*
- Shawn Darnell*
- Janet Johnson*
- Monica Butler*
- Brenda Horlacher*
- Mandy Perkins*
The men’s soccer team consisted of:
- Tuan Tran*
- Josh Beauchamp*
- Paul Sell*
- Larz Richardson*
- Kevin Hunt*
- Brandon Cranford*
- Jay Delateur*
- Jamie Flanagan*
- Tom McCullough*
- Dan Whaley*
- Nick Carapreso*
- Jeremy Smith
- John Hoshall*
The Hall of Fame committee is seeking help in locating team members designated with an asterisk (*). Anyone having information on the inductees can contact the Hall of Fame Committee at hof@socc.edu or call 541-888-7452.
