Jul 3, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News
Coos Bay, OR – The community is invited to join the inaugural SWOCC Foundation Classic, hosted by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and the Bandon Dunes Charitable Foundation. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bandon Dunes’ NEW course, Shorty’s (19-hole, par 3 course).
The SWOCC Foundation classic will welcome 20 teams, with four golfers per team. Individuals are welcome, too, and will be placed on teams. Tee times open every 15 minutes starting at 8 a.m., and golfers can select tee time preferences based on availability. This is a walking event.
Cost is $200 per person, or $750 per team. Funds raised go to support scholarships for students attending SWOCC Coos and Curry campuses. Event sponsorships also are available. For details on sponsoring, contact SWOCC Foundation at foundation@socc.edu, (541) 888-7209 or at Event Sponsor Registration and Event Individual Registration.
The SWOCC Foundation Classic is designed as a fun, low-key golf classic for golfers of all skill levels and ages. Meet SWOCC’s 2024-25 golf team athletes and new coach Kristopher Wood, a SWOCC alum. Curious about Shorty’s? Designed by Rod Whitman, Dave Axland and Keith Cutten, the new course features 19 “short” holes, rolling through natural dunes and shore pine terrain. Golfers can expect to spend about two and a half hours playing through the course. Learn more about the course here -> https://bandondunesgolf.com/golf/golf-courses/shortys/
In addition, golfers can make a full day of activity at the resort and enjoy additional time at Bandon Dunes’ 50-acre Practice Center, which includes two practice ranges, a putting green and Charlotte’s, the 9-hole, par-3 practice course.
For more information about the event and supporting scholarships, please contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or 541-888-7211, or email foundation@socc.edu.
Jul 3, 2024 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – Diners and community members are invited to once again indulge at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) as it brings back its highly anticipated summer lunches and restaurant service. These events provide students with valuable real-world experience as they prepare to enter the culinary field.
Over the course of select dates during three weeks in July and August, these student-run events will offer various dining experiences for the community. Each week features a different type of dining, allowing students to utilize OCCI’s new food truck and gain experience in a restaurant setting.
Weekly Dining Experiences:
To make your reservation for a Week 2 or Week 3 luncheon, please email shawn.warren@socc.edu or call 541-888-1540.
Week 1 (July 23-25): “Food Truck Extravaganza” and La Patisserie Bakery
Enjoy lunch options from OCCI’s new food truck and pizza oven, with freshly baked delights available from La Patisserie bakery.
No Reservations Necessary: Indoor seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; seated orders will not be taken.
Dates: Tuesday, July 23, Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Week 2 (July 30 – Aug. 1): Summer Restaurant and La Patisserie Bakery
Dine at tables and order from a three-course menu, with freshly baked delights from La Patisserie bakery also available.
Reservations Highly Encouraged: Reservations start at 11:00 a.m. with final seating at 1:30 p.m. No groups over eight people. Walk-ins are not guaranteed and depend on available seating.
Dates: Tuesday, July 30, Wednesday, July 31, and Thursday, August 1
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Week 3 (Aug. 6-8): Summer Restaurant and La Patisserie Bakery
Dine at tables and order from a three-course menu, with freshly baked delights from La Patisserie bakery also available. Note: this menu will be different from the menu available on Week 2.
Reservations Highly Encouraged: Reservations start at 11:00 a.m. with final seating at 1:30 p.m. No groups over eight people. Walk-ins are not guaranteed and depend on available seating.
Dates: Tuesday, August 6, Wednesday, August 7, and Thursday, August 8
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
We hope you join us for these unique dining experiences! Your participation supports the next generation of culinary professionals. For more information about OCCI and the degrees and certificates offered, visit www.socc.edu/occi.
Jun 17, 2024 | Community, News
COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College invites 7th to 12th grade students to join us for four days of hands-on “Natural Disaster” activities with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) professors and student researchers. Our summer STEAM Academy will run from Monday, August 12th through Thursday, August 15th, 2024, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We’ll begin each day in Umpqua Hall’s lecture room (184) on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).
A cool escape room, a guided hike at the South Slough Reserve, watching “Force Five!”, a weather Discovery Dome planetarium show (a digital theater space that immerses students on an adventure) are just a few of the awesome things we have planned!
Lunch, snacks, and transportation for the field trip will be provided. The cost is $50 per student. Spots are limited to 15 so register soon. Scholarships are available.
For more information, registration, and scholarships contact Krystal Hopper Meyers, STEAM Pathways Assistant, at 541-888-7416, or krystal.hopper@socc.edu.
Jun 7, 2024 | Community, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) athletics is pleased to host a two-day 2024 Laker Youth Basketball Camp on June 17-18 at the Recreation Center gymnasium. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills, make new friends, and enjoy the game under the guidance of experienced coaches.
The camp schedule for both days is as follows:
- Athletes just completing 1st – 3rd Grade: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Athletes just completing 4th – 8th Grade: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The registration fee for each camper for both days is $60. Payment is accepted at the door and checks should be made out to SWOCC Basketball.
Pre-registration is encouraged (on-site registration will also be accepted). To pre-register:
- Complete the 2024 Laker Youth Basketball Camp Form
- Complete the Basketball Hold Harmless Form
For any additional questions, contact SWOCC’s head women’s basketball coach Heather Weber at 541-391-3494 or email heather.weber@socc.edu.
Don’t miss this opportunity for your young athlete to learn basketball skills from SWOCC basketball coaches and players! Sign up today and join us for two days of learning, skill-building and a lot of fun on the court.
Jun 5, 2024 | Alumni, News, Student Success
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 14, 2024, at noon in Prosper Hall on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF THE CELEBRATION ON SOUTHWESTERN’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.
Southwestern is proud of the 2024 graduates! This year the College is pleased to honor a total of 401 graduates, from 24 states and eight countries.
Degrees being awarded are:
- 163 Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer
- 96 Associate of Applied Science
- 48 Associate of General Studies
- 52 Associate of Science
- 100 Certificates of Completion (one year)
Southwestern also congratulates 15 local high school students who acquired their associate degrees at the same time they were completing their high school diplomas.
Guest attendance at the ceremony is by ticket only. The celebration can be viewed live via Southwestern’s YouTube channel.
Additional information for graduates and their families can be found on the Graduation web page.
Graduating Class of 2024
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GH = Graduating with Honors, 3.75 GPA PK = Member Phi Theta Kappa V = Valedictorian, 4.00 GPA
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Jun 4, 2024 | Alumni, News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to announce Reilly Meehan is the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus. Meehan graduated in 2011 from Southwestern with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts.
The Distinguished Alumni award recognizes individuals who demonstrate significant contributions to their professions, communities, or academia.
“Being chosen as the 2024 SWOCC Distinguished Alumni is a high honor and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue to represent SWOCC and OCCI for years to come,” Meehan said.
“I was given the opportunity to pursue a career that not only allows me creative expression but also freedom and a space for individuality – all thanks to the nurturing nature of the staff and teachers I crossed paths with during my time as a student here. I look forward to seeing what this year’s graduates have to bring to this world and will continue to push myself to be the best role model I can for future graduates from this amazing program.”
The world first noticed Chef Reilly Meehan as an award winner. He won Best Young Chef in the World 2011 at the Chaines Des Rotisseurs Jenunes Comms competition in Istanbul, Turkey. That year at age 21, he was the first American to win the award – and the youngest award winner. He followed it up with awards in 2019 and 2022 – ACF Chef of the Year and Americas Global Chef Challenge champion.
Chef Meehan also is a natural teacher. An online mentor, he inspires people who are into food and non-foodies to get into food. This TikTok influencer has 391,000 people following his culinary video posts. Nearly 200,000 people follow him on Instagram.
“Reilly encompasses the best of both worlds,” says Executive Chef Randy Torres. “You can tell he has classical training with Old World style, but with a very modern approach. Fresh ideas. Inspirational. And really, he is inspirational to all genres of people from grandmas to Master Chefs.”
Meehan grew up in Central California. He first connected with Chef Torres as a high schooler during a culinary institute competition in San Jose. He enrolled at the school to learn from Chef Torres, who put together a competition team. Meehan learned and excelled. First competition he won a gold medal.
Torres soon moved to Oregon Coast Culinary Institute. In 2010, he began building the Youth Competition Team for the 2012 Culinary Olympics. Wanting to be on Torres’ team, Meehan followed him to Coos Bay to finish his studies. In 2011, he graduated and worked his way to fame.
Chef Meehan has worked at The Ritz Carlton, San Francisco’s famed The Bohemian Club and owned a restaurant. Now, as a private chef, Meehan jets between Phoenix and Southampton, N.Y. During moments of down time, he inspires thousands of people worldwide as an iconic, charismatic social media culinary teacher.
“Why he’s gaining success in his social media endeavors is his approachability and his overall demeanor,” says Torres. “Reilly’s a welcoming person and you belong in whatever he’s doing. He’s a black tie and T-shirt all rolled into one. He’s a complete package. You can have a beer with him or a glass of champagne.”
It’s very rare to ever see that in a chef. That’s why Southwestern is pleased to celebrate Chef Reilly Meehan as 2024 Distinguished Alum, and especially this year on the 25th anniversary of the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute at Southwestern.
May 29, 2024 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College announces the names of students who excelled winter term for the 2023-2024 academic school year. These students are being recognized with placement on the college’s Dean’s List (DL), Honor Roll (HR) and Academic Excellence (AE) list.
• Academic Excellence – students must receive a GPA of 4.0 in at least 12 credits
• Honor Roll – students must receive a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99 in at least 12 credits
• Dean’s List – students must receive a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 in at least 12 credits
May 29, 2024 | Community, News
Coos Bay, OR – In celebration of Juneteenth, Southwestern Oregon Community College invites the public to a free presentation “Juneteenth: Honoring the Black Freedom Struggle” by Taylor Stewart, founder of the Oregon Remembrance Project. The presentation will be held at Southwestern’s Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay) at 2:00 pm on June 18, 2024, in Umpqua Hall, Room 184. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery. For the past four years, Taylor Stewart has been at the forefront of Juneteenth celebrations across the state of Oregon, lending his expertise and passion to the cause. Stewart’s first time working on a Juneteenth celebration was in 2021 in Coos Bay.
Stewart founded the Oregon Remembrance Project in 2018 to memorialize Alonzo Tucker, Oregon’s most widely documented African American victim of lynching, which occurred in Coos Bay in 1902. For the presentation, Stewart will share his experience in helping to organize Juneteenth events across the state, what excites him most about these events, and how communities can carry the spirit of Juneteenth forward beyond its annual observance. Light refreshments traditional to Juneteenth celebrations will be provided free of charge.
Tune in to the presentation from anywhere via our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthwesternOR/streams.
For more information contact Forrest Akers, Director of International Recruitment and Academic Partnerships, at 541-888-7185, forrest.akers@socc.edu.
May 26, 2024 | Alumni, Foundation
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency, and first responders will always come to help us.
So when Southwestern Oregon Community College reached out for help closing the fundraising gap on a new Fire Training Tower in 2023, SWOCC Foundation was pleased to be a “first responder”.
Fast-forward to today, the new tower is open and serving as a fire and rescue training hub for students pursuing careers in structural firefighting and emergency response. That’s not all. The College is making sure this $1 million investment also will support ongoing professional training and enhance annual disaster response training events that can bring together lifesavers from fire departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, medical facilities, and ambulance firms.
“With the accelerating rate of wildfires near residential areas, it becomes increasingly important for our rural firefighters to be adequately trained. This new lab will allow us to do that,” said Foundation trustee Carolyn Thompson.
Now that municipal and volunteer fire departments also using the new fire tower lab, crews no longer have to leave the region for training. The College’s partner school Columbia Pacific Maritime also plans to provide professional mariners with maritime firefighting certification classes. Soon, this will be a new opportunity for mariners.
The modular 36-foot-tall steel structure meets International Building Code/National Fire Protection Association standards. It provides students, volunteers, and professionals space to practice a variety of skills, including:
- Interior search and rescue,
- Live fire drills to learn fire behavior and suppression,
- Safe ventilation operations,
- Aerial firefighting,
- Rappelling and ladder training,
- Day and night fire drills, response and rescue,
- Maritime/vessel fire response and rescue.
SWOCC Foundation also invests in fire science students by providing scholarships to assist with tuition and help students buy fire uniforms and safety gear. To learn more about giving to scholarships, call us and let’s chat (541) 888-7209 or donate now.
May 23, 2024 | Curry Campus, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College is offering free GED® and Adult Basic Education classes summer term 2024. These classes prepare individuals to take the GED® exam and update skills to enroll in college or career training programs. Students enrolled in these classes can build a pipeline to enter college, training programs, and jobs in high-demand career areas.
We have two options for GED® and Adult Basic Education classes summer term:
- MorningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 10am-1pm
- EveningGED®Class – Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm-8pm
All classes are live and in-person on the Coos Campus (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay). For students who cannot attend in-person, classes are offered via Zoom during all three sessions.
Curry County Residents: Morning classes, Tuesday through Thursday from 10am-1pm are live and in-person on the Curry Campus (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings).
Summer term starts June 24, 2024 and ends August 15, 2024. To register for orientation and classes go to https://swoccapce.org/ and click GET STARTED. For questions, please email Adult & Pre-College Education at apce@socc.edu or call 541-888-1593.
