Jan 12, 2024 | Community, News, OCCI News, Staff & Administration
Enter the captivating world of competitive ice carving through “From Oregon to Alaska: An ice sculpting odyssey” an Oregon Field Guide exclusive short film profiling Chef Chris Foltz, Chef Instructor here at Southwestern’s Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.
The episode, which aired on Oregon Public Broadcasting on December 7, 2023, showcases Chef Foltz’s artistry, dedication, and passion for the craft. We get a behind the scenes look at this world-famous competition and watch the joy and excitement of the student carvers creating their unique pieces as well.
Regarding the competition, Chef Foltz says, “Alaska, it’s so far away. It costs a lot to get there, it’s an immense amount of work, and then when you get there, all of your work is going to melt away. But as a professional artist, it’s the one place that I get to go and do whatever I want to do.”
Stay tuned for updates as Chef Foltz and a new crop of student carvers prepares for this year’s World Ice Art Championship “Ice Alaska” in February.
Jan 9, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, Foundation, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the annual scholarship application period is now open. Any credit-seeing student thinking of attending Southwestern during the 2024-25 academic year is encouraged to apply January 1 – March 1, 2024, at www.socc.edu/scholarships.
With just one application, both part-time and full-time students can apply to more than 100 scholarships offered. Applications submitted by 11:59 pm on February 1, 2024, will be eligible to qualify for a $1,000 “early bird” scholarship. All scholarship applications are due by 11:59 pm on March 1, 2024. There are no exceptions to this strict deadline.
Thanks to generous donors in our local communities, the Southwestern Foundation awards more than $250,000 in scholarships annually to support students pursuing their education at Southwestern.
All information is available at www.socc.edu/scholarships. For additional help, join one of our drop-in Financial Aid and Scholarship workshops. Representatives will be on-site, readily available to address questions and walk students through various aspects of applying.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Drop-In Workshop Dates:
- Coos Campus, Tioga 301 (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay):
- January 26th @ 2 – 4 pm
- January 29th @ 11 – 1 pm
- January 31st @ 5 – 7 pm
- February 9th @ 4 – 6 pm
- February 14th @ 11 – 1 pm
- February 28th @ 2 – 4 pm
- Curry Campus (96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, Brookings):
- January 25th @ 10:30 – 2:30 pm
- February 12 @ 10:30 – 2:30 pm
Guided by a board of community volunteers, the Southwestern Foundation organized as a nonprofit organization in 1962, the year after the college started. Since then, thousands of students have attended the college using Foundation scholarships. These awards help students achieve their goals, by breaking down barriers and cultivating the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators in local communities, the state and around the world. If you are interested in donating to Southwestern Foundation scholarships visit www.socc.edu/give or call 541-888-7211 for additional information.
For any additional inquiries about the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation scholarships, please reach out via email at foundation@socc.edu or by phone at 541-888-7209.
Jan 8, 2024 | Community, Foundation, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation in collaboration with the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) invites guests 21 years and older to attend Uncorking Opportunity! on Friday, February 23, 2024. The event takes place 6-8 p.m., at OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
This is the Southwestern Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser. It will be an exciting evening full of fun conversation and delectable hors d’oeuvres specially paired with Oregon wines provided by well-known wineries from the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys. The event also features both a silent and small live auction of adventures celebrating food, fun and friends.
Tickets are $95 per person, available at HERE. Thanks to sponsor support, 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to scholarships at the culinary institute and students pursuing degrees and training at Southwestern’s Coos and Curry campuses.
This year’s sponsors to-date include: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Banner Bank, Coos Bay Vision Center, Northwest Natural, Pacific Power, The Mill Casino Hotel and The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission among others.
Examples of some of the auction adventure items include:
- Tickets to an exclusive Winemaker’ Dinner featuring Willamette Valley Vineyards and OCCI taking place May 2024
- Private OCCI Group Cooking Class
- Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
- One-Week Stay in Hawaii
- “Name Your Own” Scholarship
…and so much more!
Space is limited! It is highly recommended people secure tickets in advance. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To purchase tickets, go to www.socc.edu/give. For more information, contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
SWOCC Foundation Uncorking Opportunity! Event Overview:
**Important: Guests must be 21+ years old**
- Date/Time: Friday, February 23, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.
- Location: OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave. Coos Bay, OR
- RSVP: Reservations are highly encouraged as space is limited. Secure your spot by purchasing at socc.edu/give. Call 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.
- Cost: $95 per person – Includes 6+ wine & hors d’oeuvre pairings; access to silent/live auction and an evening of fun conversation with OCCI student chefs. 100% of ticket proceeds goes directly to student scholarships.
About the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation
Since 1962, the Southwestern Foundation has supported the College to improve people’s lives – socially, culturally, economically and educationally – through friend-raising and fundraising. The College serves Curry, Coos and western Douglas county residents’ needs for transfer degrees, high-skill job training and community classes. For more information about the foundation, visit www.socc.edu/foundation.
Jan 8, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to present a lecture by Dr. Xavier Siemens, North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves Physics Frontier Center Co-Director and Professor of Physics at Oregon State University who will discuss Observational Evidence for a Gravitational Wave Background, on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 6:30 pm. This is a free event; all ages are welcome.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture 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.
Join us as Oregon State University Physics Professor Dr. Xavier Siemens talks about the latest discoveries around Gravitational Waves. He will discuss the evidence from the NANOGrav 15-year dataset, a North American research project using telescopes to study low-frequency pulsar signals. Scientists hope to use that research to further observations of the largest black holes in the universe.
Dr. Xavier Siemens is a Professor of Physics at Oregon State University bringing his gravitational wave research to Oregon from his previous experience at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He received a National Science Foundation Career award in 2010 to continue his team’s work in gravitational wave astronomy. He has been a contributing author to more than 250 papers and has recently focus on multi-messenger astronomy to address many of the overarching big problems in the field.
For those unable to attend in-person, the talk will be streamed live through Southwestern’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLyo3uIvZEJLAv9maSe_aO8naW3ypdjEO.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Aaron Coyner, Associate Professor of Physics, at 541-888-7244, aaron.coyner@socc.edu.
Jan 5, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus
Brookings, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College Curry Campus invites the community to join us on Thursday, January 11, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, for a presentation by Rick Serman, Retired Superintendent of the Redwood National and State Parks: Stories of the Redwood Parks.
Rick Sermon has worked more than fifty years among the forests and redwood parks along the California coast and has stories about the majestic giants that you will not want to miss. Rick will present the natural history of the redwoods and the cultural history going back to the gathering at the Bohemian Grove in 1917 that was instrumental in saving the redwoods.
Only 5% of the old growth redwoods still exists. Rick will tell us about how these remaining trees were saved and discuss their future.
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. Bring a friend and a brown bag lunch.
Stay tuned for upcoming talks in our speaker series. Talks during winter term will focus on the nature all around us. For more information contact the Curry Campus at 541-813-1667.
Jan 3, 2024 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to announce the return of the popular Geology Lecture Series.
Join us for a presentation by paleontologist Dr. Win McLaughlin, Southwestern’s Assistant Professor of Geology, for “Whales of the Oregon Coast – Present, Past, and Really Past” on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
Coos County residents can join us in-person in the Umpqua Hall lecture 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.
With whale watching being a major tourist attraction on the Oregon coast, it’s easy to think of these iconic animals as a key feature for our region. But this association goes much deeper. The Oregon coast is one of the most important places on earth for the study of fossil whales. How and when did whales become the mostly peaceful giants we see today? Join paleontologist Dr. Win McLaughlin as she takes you on a tour through deep time on the Oregon coast to investigate everything from miniature fossil dolphins to the oldest baleen whale to some truly fearsome predators of the past!
For those unable to attend in-person, the talk will be streamed live through Southwestern’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0F5A6CF733BC1F5.
For more information about the lecture series contact Dr. Win McLaughlin, Assistant Professor of Geology, at 541-888-7002, win.mclaughlin@socc.edu.
Dec 18, 2023 | Community, News, OCCI News
Coos Bay, OR – The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI) at Southwestern Oregon Community College is delighted to announce two upcoming opportunities for the community to experience an exquisite three-course luncheon put on by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Culinary Youth Team USA. Following the success of our November event, we invite you to join us at OCCI on Sunday, January 7, 2024 and Saturday, January 20, 2024. Lunch is $35 per person, with reserved seating available every 30 minutes from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Once again, these events serve as a valuable practice session for the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA as they gear up for the international competition in Stuttgart, Germany in February 2024. It also provides an opportunity for our local community to come together and appreciate the artistry and skill of these budding culinary talents. Proceeds from the luncheon will contribute to the team’s competition expenses.
Lunch includes a delectable vegetarian starter, a mouthwatering beef entrée, and a tropical dessert that is sure to leave a lasting impression. To maintain the integrity of the menu, we are unable to accommodate substitutions for this event. The carefully curated menu is the same for both dates (and is the same from the November event).
Make your reservation today by sending an email to shawn.warren@socc.edu with your preferred reservation date and time. Parties larger than six cannot be accommodated.
ACF Culinary Youth Team USA Luncheon Details:
- Dates: Sunday, Jan. 7; and Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024
- Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Location: OCCI, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay, OR
- RSVP: Reservations required, with seating available every 30 minutes (parties of 6 people max). Email shawn.warren@socc.edu, with your preferred date/time.
- Cost: $35 per person for a three-course lunch
Join us for this unforgettable culinary adventure, and support the aspiring chefs of OCCI and the ACF Culinary Youth Team USA.
For more information about OCCI, visit: www.socc.edu/occi.
Dec 18, 2023 | Community, Curry Campus, News
Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to introduce our new safety app: SWOCC SAFE. SWOCC SAFE is Southwestern’s new app for students, employees and anyone who wants to stay informed of important safety information about our college.
Why download the app?
SWOCC SAFE enhances the safety and well-being of our campuses:
- Alerts you of security threats on campus
- ‘Friend Walk’ sends your location to a friend in real-time, tracking your progress to your destination so you never walk alone.
- Quickly access campus maps, emergency plans, and support resources such as advising and mental health counseling
- Easily report a safety concern to Campus Security
Please Note: If you are a student or an employee of the College, the SWOCC SAFE app does not replace the College’s current RAVE alert system — it simply enhances it! All push notifications for RAVE alerts will be sent directly through the SWOCC SAFE app. Please make sure your RAVE alert user information is up to date by logging in to myLakerLink and updating your account and emergency contact information.
Download the SWOCC SAFE app today!
Download the SWACC SAFE app from Google Play or the Apple App Store, or follow the QR code below:
If you have questions or concerns please contact Rob Aton, Director of Security, Risk & Emergency Management at 541-888-1623 or by email at raton@socc.edu.
Dec 12, 2023 | Curry Campus, News, Student Success
Southwestern Nurses Making a Difference
The year was 1963, two years after the college opened. The college’s first Practical Nursing degree graduate Carole Matson completed her studies. She soon went to work serving her community. She helped deliver babies. She worked with veterans at a hospital during the Vietnam War, and she assisted others in foster care.
Along with Matson, through the years, nearly 9,000 individuals have completed nursing degrees and certificates at Southwestern. Many of these graduates work locally in hospitals and medical clinics. Others in schools, home visit programs, and senior living facilities.
Still, others fan out across the world in careers contributing to the sustainability of their families and improving their communities.
Where can a nursing degree from Southwestern lead you? Wherever you can imagine. Many travel. Like Carole Matson did throughout her life, some serve as nurses helping people in areas of conflict or, in developing countries. Some go into fitness and nutrition fields, disease prevention and surgery. Others go into spiritual wellness, pediatrics and research.
If you want to care for others, if you want a job that pays well and supports a family, a job that challenges you to constantly learn, nursing may be for you.
Nursing Career Outlook
ANNUAL JOB OPENINGS
- Southwest Region: 47 on average monthly
- Oregon: 2,505
2023 MEDIAN ANNUAL WAGE
Southwest Region average: $102,820
- Starting $81,889
- Experienced $133,744
Oregon average: $110,710
- Starting $84,614
- Experienced $136,240
OTHER
- Retirement outlook is high-risk on the south Oregon coast with 179 employees age 55 or older retiring soon.
- As of November 2023, there are 2,809 job postings for registered nurses in Oregon and 34 for Coos and Curry counties.
- Employment in the field is expected to grow statewide 8.2% by 2029.
Sources: Oregon Employment Department and Lightcast
For more information call or text 541-240-8227; email SWOCCbound@socc.edu.
Dec 12, 2023 | Alumni, Curry Campus, News, Student Success
A career as a professional nurse can take you anywhere you want. Meet four examples.
Jackie Hummel’s journey was not easy. It took her a decade to reach the place she is in now, but she would do it all over again.
Jackie had spent fifteen years as a medical assistant most recently at Bay Clinic. But she wanted to do more. While working part-time, she entered the nursing program at Southwestern, and is now a Pediatric nurse, specializing in caring for infants and children, and providing phone triage, becoming the bridge between medical care and emotional support. As a mom of three herself, she understands what’s going on at the other end of the phone.
Along the way, Jackie had support from fellow students and her family. Scholarships from the SWOCC Foundation and programs like STEP helped alleviate some of the financial burden. Regularly meeting with former nursing students provided guidance and boosted her self-esteem. Surrounding herself with people who had walked a similar path gave her the strength to keep going.
Jackie says, “Stay determined and refuse to give up. Don’t let setbacks discourage you from pursuing your dreams.” Now she has new goals. Starting next year, she will be going back to school to earn her bachelor of science in nursing at OHSU with a plan to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Heather Aldrich thought she would like to be a nurse educator after she retired from nursing. But a short text four years ago made her think about it sooner. “I didn’t leave nursing because I didn’t love it (because I did, and I still do patient care), I just got an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I love explaining complicated concepts, watching the light go on in someone’s eyes, and taking the ‘terror’ out of a potentially intimidating situation.”
Heather started at Southwestern as a student after toying with the idea of medical school. Feeling at loose ends and visiting a friend in Coos Bay, on a whim she decided to try nursing. Eventually that lead to a bachelor’s degree from OHSU, then various kinds of nursing work from oncology, ICU, recovery, creating education programs for Bay Area Hospital, and teaching -clinicals for the college.
Considering a nursing career but you’ve heard nursing school is hard? Heather says, “Nursing is for people with the right intent. Even if you’re not a “good student,” if you are a caring person, we want you.”
Lori Shott’s career path reflects the diverse opportunities available in nursing.
Lori has a lot of advice for students and anyone considering a nursing career. “Start with a solid foundation in the science of nursing assessment and hone those nursing instincts. Keep an eye on your nursing goal but balance it with an open mind too. Be willing to change, adapt and see where life takes you. You will be able to apply the nursing process to whatever type of nursing career you end up doing.”
For Lori that has meant working in assisted living facilities, labor and delivery, clinical informatics (specializing in data related to clinics and hospitals), care management, at the Waterfall Clinic, and now in private practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. And she teaches nursing labs at Southwestern.
Reflecting back to when she was a nursing student 20 years ago she says, “We had to do a lot of pretending. Not anymore! Nursing education looks so much different now with the new technology. And the instructors at Southwestern have been (and some still are) nurses in the community which adds a practical dimension to the education they provide.”
Chaz Davis believes that being a nurse is not just a job, but a calling. It goes beyond the routine tasks and medical procedures; it involves a sense of purpose and dedication to helping others in their most vulnerable moments. For Chaz, being a patient advocate is at the core of nursing.
After a ten-year career as a paramedic, Chaz was looking for a more structured lifestyle. Nursing fit the bill and now he’s part of the surgery department at Curry General Hospital. He likes to point out that being a nurse is recession-proof. In times of economic uncertainty, healthcare remains an essential industry, ensuring job security for those in the field. Unlike other professions that can be outsourced or automated, the human touch and compassion provided by nurses cannot be replaced by technology.
About Southwestern Chaz says “It’s the best kept secret! It’s such an asset to this community, and the campus is beautiful. I never had a negative interaction, not just with Judy (Instructor Dr. Judith Dornbach) but with all the staff at the Curry Campus.” Chaz’s advice? “If you can invest some time, some money, and some focus, you’ll come out with a secure, sustainable career. It’s worth every minute.”
