Press releases
Press Announcements, October 2018
For more information contact Mark R. Johnson, Staff Writer, College Relations.
October 31, 2018
COCC CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH FILM, SONG AND FLUTE
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is commemorating Native American Heritage
Month with a trio of events being held throughout November. All are free and open
to the public.
First, a screening of the documentary “In the Light of Reverence: Protecting America’s
Sacred Lands” is showing on two dates: from 1-2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, at the
Madras campus (with a light lunch included), and also from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday,
Nov. 8, at the Bend campus’s Boyle Education Center, Room 155. The documentary, produced
by Sacred Land Film Project and narrated by Peter Coyote and Tantoo Cardinal, tells
the story of three indigenous communities and the lands they struggle to protect:
the Lakota of the Great Plains, the Hopi of the Four Corners area, and the Winnemem
Wintu of Northern California. It made the finalist list for “Best Film on Mountain
Culture” at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Next, an evening of flute music with guest musician Clem Picard from the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs, 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15, in the Hitchcock Auditorium
on the Bend campus.
Finally, a celebration with traditional Native American dancing, singing and drumming
with Quartz Creek Dancers and Carlos Calica, from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20,
in Wille Hall at the Bend campus.
For information on these events, contact Michelle Cary, Native American program coordinator,
at 541-318-3782 or mcary@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
COCC HOSTS NURSING PROGRAM OVERVIEWS
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is holding nursing program overviews at its
Bend and Redmond campuses:
Redmond campus: 5-6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, in Building 3, Room 306
Bend campus: 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Boyle Education Center, Room 155.
Nursing orientations are information sessions designed for students interested in
COCC’s associate degree in nursing. Sessions cover minimum requirements to apply to
the program, how applicants are selected, deadlines and more. The formal presentation
usually runs 45 minutes with plenty of time for questions during and after. Prospective
nursing students are strongly encouraged. Reservations are not required. Contact:
Kara Rutherford at 541-318-3741.
COCC OFFERS INFO SESSION ON HEALTH PROGRAMS
Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Bend campus is hosting an information session
on its Allied Health programs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Health
Careers Center, Room 140. The health programs covered will include dental assisting,
massage therapy, medical assistant, pharmacy technician and veterinary technician.
The session will include a description of each occupation, the typical clinical and
administrative duties, as well as the certification or licensing required. There will
also be a review of the structure, length and cost of each of the programs. It is
not necessary to be enrolled at COCC to attend this session. Reservations are not
required. For information, call 541-383-7420.
October 25, 2018
COCC PREVIEW DAY COMBINES MINI-CLASSES, CAMPUS TOUR
Potential students of Central Oregon Community College (COCC) will get a taste of
Bobcat life and the college’s academic offerings—from paramedicine and music to chemistry
and culinary—at the annual “Preview Day,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 9, at
the Bend campus’s Coats Campus Center. Participants will have a chance to attend a
range of mini-classes led by COCC staff and faculty, interact with current college
students, tour the campus and enjoy a free lunch. Preregistration is required; call
541-383-7500 or visit cocc.edu to learn more.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
CASCADE WINDS BAND CONJURES THE RODEO WITH COPLAND
The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band, sponsored by Central Oregon Community College (COCC),
will present the opening concert of its 2018-19 season at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4,
in the Summit High School Auditorium in Bend. The concert is free; tickets are not
required.
According to Michael Gesme, Cascade Winds conductor, along with works by contemporary
composers Robert Sheldon (“Der Lehrmeister”) and Rossano Galante (“Nostalgia”), and
marches by Claudio Grafulla (“Washington Grays”) and John Philip Sousa (“King Cotton”),
the band will perform Aaron Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday” and “Hoedown.”
“The Copland works are drawn from his ballet, ‘Rodeo,’” Gesme explained. “The music
is quintessential American cowboy, crafted to musically replicate the events surrounding
a rodeo—bucking broncos, cheering crowds, an evening hoedown.” Also on the program
is Thom Ritter George’s “First Suite in F,” a work commissioned by the United States
Navy Band that musically illuminates Naval history and ocean adventure.
Ted Burton, formerly director of bands at Mountain View High School, will serve as
guest artist on clarinet, providing a key role in the performance of Artie Shaw’s
“Concerto for Clarinet.” “He has participated in many jazz ensembles over the years,
and is one of the founding members of the Summit Express Jazz Band,” said Gesme.
For more information, contact Michael Gesme at 541-383-7516 or mgesme@cocc.edu.
MARKETING COUNCIL SELECTS COCC COMMUNICATOR FOR DISTINCTION
The National Council for Marketing and Public Relations named Aimee Metcalf, assistant
director of college relations at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), District
7 Communicator of the Year at the district’s annual conference held in Boise, Idaho,
earlier this month. The award honors two-year college marketing professionals who
demonstrate leadership, dedication and ability in college communications.
The organization’s District 7 includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska,
along with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. As
district winner, Metcalf is now one of seven finalists in the running for the national
honor.
Having worked at COCC for 19 years, and serving in her current capacity for six, Metcalf
was credited for her work with initiating digital media campaigns at the college,
implementing social media channels and strategies, and helping COCC develop new ways
to reach students and potential students. Metcalf, who’s currently pursuing her master’s
degree in strategic communication, was also acknowledged for steering a group that
overhauled the college’s internal communications system.
October 23, 2018
COCC HOSTING HIGH SCHOOL TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
More than 300 high school runners from Bend and Salem are expected at the 2018 Mountain
Valley Cross-Country Running Conference Championships from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 27, at Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) track and trail complex. Local
athletes from Bend, Summit and Mountain View high schools are among the runners competing
in the men’s and women’s 5,000-meter events. Students will have an opportunity to
speak with COCC recruitment ambassadors during the meet and learn about the college’s
educational and athletic offerings.
For COCC-related queries regarding this event, please contact Julie Downing, instructional
dean, at 541-948-2039. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation
or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola:
541-383-7775. For accommodation due to other disability, such as hearing impairment,
contact the Office of Disability Services: 541-383-7743.
OLD-SCHOOL PHOTO REDUX: STUDENT EXHIBIT AT COCC PUTS BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY IN
FOCUS
Traditional black-and-white photography captured with analog cameras is the focus
of a student art exhibit at Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Pence Pinckney
Gallery from Nov. 8 to Dec. 7, with an opening reception from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday,
Nov. 8. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
“The art of darkroom photography is strong, and even thriving,” said Paula Bullwinkel,
COCC art instructor. “There is greater life in a handmade, traditional black-and-white
print.”
The exhibition of new, black-and-white, gelatin silver photographs, most taken by
advanced-level students, explores personal visions, said Bullwinkel. Students use
traditional, hands-on photographic techniques and darkroom developing.
For more information on the exhibit, contact Bill Hoppe, gallery coordinator, at 541-383-7514
or whoppe@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
October 11, 2018
SEMINAR AT COCC SHARES STORIES OF THE MIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Understanding contemporary issues that affect migrants from Central America and Mexico
is the topic of a presentation titled “To Migrate is to Suffer,” or “Migrar es Sufrir,”
at Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Bend and Redmond campuses, Oct. 24 and
25, as part of the college’s Latinx Heritage Month lineup. COCC-Redmond: 4 p.m. on
Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Technology Education Center, Room 209. COCC-Bend: 5:30
p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, at the Boyle Education Center, Room 155. Both are free
and open to the public.
Presenter Kelsey Freeman, COCC’s Native American college prep coordinator, has spent
time as a researcher, teacher and nonprofit worker in Mexico, Central America and
South America, part of it conducted on a Fulbright award. Her talk includes immigrant
stories that address a range of topics, including gang violence, migration by necessity
and a lack of legal options for working-class Central Americans and Mexicans. The
event is hosted by COCC’s Latinx Club.
For more information, contact Evelia Sandoval at 541-318-3726 or esandoval@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
SCHOLAR TALK AT COCC TAKES ON CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
Growing up in an environment of abuse, neglect or household dysfunction can have scarring,
long-term effects on individuals, ranging from depression to diabetes. Managing that
impact is the focus of a presentation at Central Oregon Community College (COCC),
organized by the COCC Foundation’s Visiting Scholar Program, titled “Overcoming Adverse
Childhood Experiences to Become Your Best Self,” at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29,
at the Bend campus’s Coats Campus Center. Tickets to this Nancy R. Chandler Visiting
Scholar Program event are $10, available at cocc.edu.
Presenter Lisa Féinics, Ph.D., who coordinates Portland Community College’s Fostering
Success program, will use personal narrative and science to highlight the power of
resilience. “Self-awareness, self-compassion and forgiveness are the pillars of resilience
if you have experienced a significant amount of trauma,” said Féinics. “Those who
have experienced a significant amount of trauma do have the potential to live a happy
and successful life, but it won’t happen overnight.” Féinics will discuss the “rewriting”
of a person’s negative perceptions and narratives.
One of the largest studies of childhood abuse or neglect and its lasting impact—conducted
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with Kaiser Permanente—surveyed
thousands of individuals and discovered that nearly two-thirds of study participants
reported at least one Adverse Childhood Experience, or ACE. And for those impacted
by ACEs, there are a number of long-term associated health risks. “Recent data confirms
increased risk of stress-related disorders, such as hypertension and cardiovascular
disease, complications from drug and alcohol abuse, sleep disorders, mental health
challenges, including suicide, and more,” added Féinics.
A former foster youth who holds a doctorate in neurobiology and behavior, Féinics
has worked as a scientist and an educator. At Portland Community College, she coaches
students with foster care backgrounds toward college success.
This event is sponsored by United Way of Deschutes County, Central Oregon TRACEs,
Brooks Resources Corp., the Associated Students of COCC, the Associated Students of
Cascades Campus/OSU-Cascades and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.
For more information, contact Charlotte Gilbride, Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar
Program coordinator, at 541-383-7257. In advance of college events, persons needing
accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility disability, contact
Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing
impairment, contact the Office of Disability Services: 541-383-7743.
AFRO-CUBAN SOUND BRINGS THE BEAT TO COCC
The sounds and styles of the Afro-Cuban genre will transform Central Oregon Community
College’s (COCC) Coats Campus Center in Bend into a music-spun presentation as part
of Latinx Heritage Month at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30. This event is free and open
to the public.
Freddy Vilches, Lewis & Clark College’s director of Latin American studies, will offer
a discussion and musical sampling in his presentation, “Traditional Music and Instruments
of Latin America,” with a number of instruments on hand for demonstration. Featured
styles include rumba, guaguanco, son cubano, salsa and Latin jazz.
For more information, contact Evelia Sandoval at 541-318-3726 or esandoval@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
COLLEGE’S WICKIUP HALL WELCOMES TRICK-OR-TREATERS
A Halloween tradition continues at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), as the
annual Halloween Hall, held at the Bend campus’s Wickiup Hall, welcomes parents with
children ages 12 and under for a fun, free (and altogether warm) Halloween experience,
4:30-6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 31. In addition to trick-or-treating, the event
features games, prizes and pumpkin painting.
This is an opportunity for parents to get a glimpse into current college living while
children play games and trick-or-treat at residents’ doors, according to Stephanie
Bilbrey, COCC’s housing marketing coordinator. It’s also a chance, she noted, for
COCC students and staff to give back to the local community.
Parking for the event is available in the campus’s F3, F4 or F6 lots. For more info,
visit cocc.edu/halloween-hall or call 541-383-7545.
FRANKENSTEIN COMES INTO FOCUS AT COCC PRESENTATION
How well do we really know Frankenstein? Two hundred years after the publication of
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,” Central Oregon Community
College’s (COCC) Brian Gutierrez, Ph.D., is hoping to set the record straight with
a presentation on the cultural creature at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 31, in COCC’s Barber
Library. This event is free and open to the public.
“Frankenstein: A Revisionist History,” will explore the events that sparked Shelley’s
novel, how the story changed as it was adapted for the stage and film, and why, to
this day, Frankenstein persists as one of Halloween’s most enduring mainstays. The
talk will cover the little-known and often misunderstood elements of his origin story.
About Gutierrez: His doctoral research—and current book—focuses on the origin of Gothic
literature in the 18th and 19th centuries. He has taught courses at the University
of Washington on such topics as “Introduction to Gothic Literature” and “The Aesthetics
of Evil in Literature.” He is currently the project coordinator for COCC’s Title III
federal grant.
For more information: Brian Gutierrez at 541-317-3063 or bgutierrez4@cocc.edu. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For accommodation
due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office of Disability
Services: 541-383-7743.
COCC HOLDS NURSING PROGRAM INFO SESSION
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is holding a nursing program overview at its
Bend campus from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, in the Boyle Education Center, Room
155.
Nursing orientations are information sessions designed for students interested in
COCC’s associate degree in nursing. Sessions cover minimum requirements to apply to
the program, how applicants are selected, deadlines and more. The formal presentation
usually runs 45 minutes with plenty of time for questions during and after. Prospective
nursing students are strongly encouraged. Reservations are not required. Contact:
Kara Rutherford at 541-318-3741.
October 8, 2018
COCC MAPS OUT PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH, BOARD TO APPOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) board of directors will formally appoint
an advisory committee for the school’s presidential candidate search at its Oct. 10
meeting at the Redmond campus, beginning at 5:45 p.m., in the Technology Education
Center, Room 209. Having held a series of public forums throughout its district, as
well as convening a number of staff-wide forums, the college will also ask the board
to approve a profile and position description.
Recruitment for COCC’s new president will take place through the months of October
and November, with the search conducted by Gold Hill Associates, a national recruiting
firm that specializes in hiring community college executives. A list of finalists
will be presented to the board for approval in late January 2019. The college then
expects finalist interviews to occur in early February, with a board selection and
decision by early March. COCC’s new president is expected to officially assume the
post with the culmination of the 2018-19 academic year.
At the Oct. 10 board meeting, members will first meet for dinner at 5 p.m. on campus.
Additional agenda items include an annual report on housing and updates on the student
newspaper and the college’s eLearning programming. The meeting concludes with the
executive session on potential litigation.
For more information, contact Ron Paradis, executive director of College Relations,
at 541-383-7599. In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation
because of a physical or mobility disability, contact Joe Viola: 541-383-7775. For
accommodation due to other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact the Office
of Disability Services: 541-383-7743.
October 5, 2018
COCC HOLDS NURSING PROGRAM INFO SESSION
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is holding a nursing program overview at its
Bend campus from 5-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Boyle Education Center, Room
155.
Nursing orientations are information sessions designed for students interested in
COCC’s associate degree in nursing. Sessions cover minimum requirements to apply to
the program, how applicants are selected, deadlines and more. The formal presentation
usually runs 45 minutes with plenty of time for questions during and after. Prospective
nursing students are strongly encouraged. Reservations are not required. Contact:
Kara Rutherford at 541-318-3741.
COCC HOSTS HEALTH PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) Redmond campus is hosting an information
session on its Allied Health programs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in
Building 3, Room 305. The health programs covered will include dental assisting, massage
therapy, medical assistant, pharmacy technician and veterinary technician.
The session will include a description of each occupation, the typical clinical and
administrative duties, as well as the certification or licensing required. There will
also be a review of the structure, length and cost of each of the programs. It is
not necessary to be enrolled at COCC to attend this session. Reservations are not
required. For information, call 541-383-7420.