Building Transformation

Aug 19, 2024 | Alumni, Community, News, Staff & Administration

Inspiring tomorrow’s firefighters, paramedics, food producers, and dental professionals 

Southwestern is pleased to deliver year after year on our 64-year commitment to provide our students with exceptional teaching and learning environments. 

Come fall term, we will celebrate completion of a $5.5 million project to modernize 18,240 sq. ft. of space in historic Coaledo Hall and nearby Sumner Hall on the Coos Campus. This project culminates five years and $43 million of infrastructure investment to update buildings, energy systems and teaching space on both the Coos and Curry Campuses. 

Built in 1965, Coaledo Hall served as the College’s science lab building until it was taken out of service in 2021 with the opening of advanced laboratories in Umpqua Hall. Today, Coaledo will become a new flexible learning space with technology-rich labs for Forestry and Agroecology.

The development closes the loop on creating a holistic center for Forestry and Agroecology students. They now can move with peers between collaborating in the classroom environment to working in the campus’ urban forest/wetland environment and food production gardens. 

A renovated Sumner Hall nearby, the site of former nursing labs, remains dedicated to training tomorrow’s allied health professionals. It will serve as the home for a re-envisioned Dental Assisting program and an ambulance simulation lab and classrooms to serve students pursuing careers in Fire Science, EMS and Paramedicine. 

Overall, this work helps the College hire and retain highly skilled faculty. It ensures residents from the south coast have access to more affordable college education and high-skill job training equivalent to that offered in metro areas. Ultimately, the result is a more stable workforce, and economically healthier communities and families.

This current project was funded with a $2.75 million capital grant from the Oregon Legislature matched with $2.75 million in grant funds from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Julie Ryan

Julie Ryan returns to Southwestern as the EMS Program Director and Assistant Professor of Paramedicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Linfield University and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and an Oregon Licensed Paramedic. Previously she was a member of the Reach and Treat Team, providing advanced life support and technical rescue in wilderness environments, and holds Rope Rescue Technician and Advanced Swift Water Rescue certifications. Ryan served as a Flight Paramedic, a Paramedic for Bay Cities Ambulance, and most recently as a Firefighter/Paramedic for Cascade Locks Fire and EMS. With thirty years of EMS experience, she brings invaluable knowledge and lived experience to the table.

Madi Ogle

Madi Ogle grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, and attended Boise State University earning an Associate of Science degree. In 2020 she enrolled in SWOCC’s Dental Assisting Program. Madi deepened her love for dental health, excelling in the program, and working as a licensed Oregon Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. While working in the field she was inspired to pursue other career opportunities and progressed through various roles at Southwestern: Campus Store, Student Success Center, and then to the Financial Aid office as the Student Employment Coordinator. Now in her new role as the Dental Assisting Instructor she brings a unique perspective and commitment to the education of dental professionals.

Michael Seldon

Michael Seldon brings over thirty years of career experience in emergency services disciplines including structural/municipal firefighting with the Coos Bay Fire Department, hazardous materials team technician, emergency room trauma technician, and ambulance-based emergency medical technician. He holds certifications in firefighter 1 and 2, fire officer, fire instructor, incident safety officer, vehicle extrication, heavy rescue systems and practices, pumper and aerial apparatus operator, and SCBA maintenance and repair. Seldon earned an Associate of Science degree in Public Fire Service and graduated from the fire academy at Rancho Santiago College in Santa Ana, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Communications – Radio/TV/Film from Long Beach State University.