From the Desk of Andrea Spirtos

Foundation Development Director



The biggest news from the OCCC Foundation is WELCOME ALUMNI, Class of '21! Since OCCC became fully accredited last year, it is perfect that this year’s graduates be the first ever OCCC Alumni Association members! We are so proud of you. Twenty-one nurses and sixty students were part of the Commencement festivities on June 11th. Even though we were unable to applaud you in person, we tried our very best to show you how special you are to us both in the Nursing Pinning Ceremony of 21 new nurses and in Car-mencement, with 60 graduates which had to be modified at the last moment due to the weather. 

In the next issue of Rising Tide, we will introduce an “Alumni Corner.” Let us know where you are, what you are doing, what is important to you in your life. We can help you stay connected to your classmates and alma mater. 

Watch for an Alumni Survey to appear in your email in the month of July. 

Honoring the Sharks

The Foundation helped recognize and celebrate OCCC staff and faculty at the 6th Annual (except for last year) Celebrate Us event on June 10. Awards were presented to milestone members of the OCCC family for five and fifteen years at OCCC; Educator of the Year voted on by students (congratulations, Jennifer Fleming!); and Shark Pup of the Year, a recently hired individual selected by Dr. Ryslinge who demonstrates outstanding effort and achievement of excellence. At left, Registrar Ann Hovey receives the Shark Pup award from President Ryslinge. "This means more to me than anything that I have ever received in my career," Hovey said, "and that's because of how special and gifted you all are and how completely student-centered this College is."

Sandwiches purchased from Kate Brown of La Maison and water, chips and ice cream donated by US Foods, Chef’s Store provided a picnic-like feeling for the event. The weather was perfect to be outdoors.

Will Ella be yours on Oct. 28?

Ella Salmonella, a Michael Gibbons original donated by Judy Gibbons, moved from Toledo to the OCCC Commons where she is prominently on display. The 40” fish sculpture on a wood and rock base will be visiting the campus until October 28 when she could be in your home.

Watch for information regarding a raffle for the opportunity to own Ella. This is truly one of a kind.

Here's what's coming in with the Tide

This issue of Rising Tide includes a spotlight on the OCCC science department, which was recently awarded a generous grant from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for equipment, written by Foundation Board member Sandi Williams; a spotlight on two remarkable Board members, Gloria Ingle and Dr. David Bigelow; we will meet Megan Miller-Morgan, a part time instructor who has been a Foundation donor for many years through the Employee Giving program; and, there's a spotlight on VFW Post 3156, Waldport. The Post has provided scholarship funds to OCCC nursing students since 2009

We hope you take time to read the articles and enjoy. As always, we look forward to your comments. Please email Andi Spirtos with your suggestions on this and future issues of Rising Tide.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR. . .

• July 27, 2021 – Foundation Board meeting and Annual Retreat
• September 6, 2021, Labor Day – campus closed
• September 15, 2021 – Summer Term ends
• September 27 , 2021 – Fall Term begins
• October 15, 2021 – next issue of Rising Tide
• October 28, 2021 – Donor-Scholar Reception and Art Show
• October 28, 2021 - Ella Salmonella Raffle ends. Watch for details

Have you considered including OCCC in your estate plans? We have free resources for your planning that may be helpful. Let me know. We are happy to help! andrea.spirtos@oregoncoast.edu.

A Word from the President

Birgitte Ryslinge, PhD

Dear Friends of Oregon Coast Community College,

It has been quite the year at Oregon Coast Community College. The 2020-21 academic year has been memorable for challenges but also for very meaningful achievements. June 11, 2021, we celebrated the 33^rd commencement of Oregon Coast by awarding 41 associate level degrees, 59 certificates, and 9 GED (high school diploma equivalent) completions.

The class of 2021 is particularly important to the leaders, founders, and supporters (like you) of this college, in that it marks the first ever graduating class whose diplomas read "Oregon Coast Community College." Since the college’s founding in 1987, diplomas have been earned in the name of other, larger, and more distant colleges. In 2020, after a seven-year journey, OCCC earned independent accreditation. 2021 was our first commencement ceremony as an independent college, and the class of 2021 is in that sense our first graduating class. We are proud of our graduates, and proud of the leadership, staff and faculty who have fulfilled the promise made in 1987, that the people of Lincoln County would have their own college where people could pursue their dreams in this place they love.

And now finally, our college, county and state are opening up after a very long time of precautions and confinement. Student Affairs is leading us in providing abundant outreach, open houses, and college fairs. We are doing all we can to attract and entice students back to pursue their college dreams in person, and to provide extensive supports to help them be successful.  Community Education is also open and offering the largest ever line-up of courses this fall (50+ different classes). As of today, we will not be requiring face coverings or distancing, confident in the effectiveness and reach of vaccination efforts in Lincoln County and Oregon.

You, the donors, and supporters of Oregon Coast Community College were an important support and beacon to students during the hard times of the past year. While some decided to step away, the vast majority persevered. This is due in no small way to the generous scholarships (and last year the Student Pandemic Support Fund for emergency needs) you provide. I hear from students time and again that while the financial support is very important, the recognition that someone who does not know them nevertheless believes in and supports them,  is also incredibly important and motivating. Thank you to each of you for the many ways you supported the students and the College in this difficult year. You continue to touch the future through your giving and vision.

Welcome back!

Birgitte

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces. Since 2009, VFW Post 3156, Waldport has provided a Named Scholarship each year to an OCCC Nursing student.  Commander William Grimm, Adjutant (Secretary) Ron Anderson  and Quartermaster Ron Urban explained why.

We trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. 

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations that would eventually become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.

Our Mission is, “To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.” {Read more}

Dr. David Bigelow sits on the OCCC Foundation Board and serves as the Treasurer. During the interview with Bigelow, it became clear that a pharmacist, turned hospital administrator, could have a keen eye to finance and a strong desire to safeguard donors’ charitable gifts.



My affiliation and appreciation of a community college education began while at Lakewood High School in Long Beach, CA. At Long Beach Community College (LBCC) I took an early morning class in calculus before my day began as a soon-to-graduate senior. I attended LBCC for two years of pre-pharmacy classes then was admitted to the USC School of Pharmacy.

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"Why I Give," featuring Megan Miller-Morgan

Megan Miller-Morgan teaches part time at OCCC helping students prepare for the GED examination. Read why Megan is passionate about contributing through the OCCC Employee Giving program.

I grew up in the state of Washington and after high school attended University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. I had a music scholarship but eventually earned a BA degree in Asian Studies instead of music. The scholarship was important for me to be able to afford college. In addition, I took out student loans. I met my husband Tim in Tacoma and we moved to Pullman where we both attended Washington State University. Tim also took out loans to be able to attend Veterinary School.

Tim had a job offer at Hatfield, so we moved to the Newport area and eventually purchased a home in Toledo. My first job in Newport was Oceana Coop. After this, I worked in the Lincoln County Extension Office through the AmeriCorps/University of Oregon Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Program. This program helped pay off some of my student loans.

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Ready to analyze DNA from viruses? OCCC offers science students hands-on research and expanded courses, thanks to Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund.

There will be added excitement and curiosity beginning Fall of 2021 for OCCC science students. Why? Because they will be engaged in real-world experiments and hands-on research, using modern laboratory equipment, which includes digital sensors and probs to collect and

analyze DNA from viruses.  

Matt Fisher, chair of OCCC’s Science Department, is dedicated to his mission of expanding science courses and provide for state-of-the-arts laboratory research experiences at OCCC. “When we provide students with hands-on learning, they are better trained as scientists,” Matt said. “I want students to have laboratory experiences and develop skills that equal or surpass what students get at a large university,” continued Matt. 

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Meet Your Foundation Board:

Gloria Ingle

Gloria Ingle serves on the OCCC Foundation Board, sits on the Scholarship Committee and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Read why Gloria says, “An education at Oregon Coast Community College is the best buck you will ever spend.”

When I was born, there was only one hospital in the area which was located in Toledo. I went from the hospital immediately to the reservation in Siletz. Most of my education was right here in Siletz. My dad was a logger. When logging jobs dried up, we moved to Wrangell, Alaska just in time for my senior year of high school. I was upset. I had to leave my friends and relatives, but it turned out to be the best experience of my life. Wrangell was a small logging and fishing community. I became the co-editor of the school newspaper and annual.  

{Read More}

Connect with the Foundation!

Visit the Foundation's website any time to learn more about coming events, connect with the Foundation Board, or learn how to donate conveniently and safely online.