Clackamas Community College President Dr. Tim Cook will run more than 1,500 miles on a route connecting each of the 17 community colleges in Oregon. Averaging 32 miles per day, the run will take about 50 days during the summer of 2025.

Initial plans indicate Dr. Cook will arrive at Oregon Coast Community College’s North County Center in Lincoln City on Wednesday, July 23.

“Dr. Cook is running to raise awareness about the many challenges faced by Oregon’s community college students,” said Oregon Coast Community College’s Director of Advancement, Jeanette Campagna. “And, he’s also running to raise funds to help overcome those same challenges.”

President Cook is running to raise awareness of community colleges in Oregon and the challenges students face in meeting their basic needs. Oregon has approximately 200,000 community college students, making up 52% of all public and private higher education (HECC, 2022). Many community college students face significant obstacles, including housing and food insecurity, lack of child care, and transportation issues (Hope Study data, 2019).

The goal is to raise awareness of these issues and advocate for increased state funding to support students’ basic needs. Funds raised will be distributed to each community college, directly supporting students’ essential needs.

At Oregon Coast, funds raised through Dr. Cook’s amazing effort will be directed to programs that provide immediate support for student basic needs, including support of the student-run “Shark Shack” student resource closet, located at OCCC’s Central County Campus in Newport with an annex location in Lincoln City. Students can turn to the Shark Shack for free groceries, clothing, toiletries, and other necessities, thanks to the generosity of donors from the community and throughout the College – including students, staff, and faculty.

“The OCCC Foundation Board encourages you to consider honoring Dr. Cook’s herculean effort by making a contribution of any amount through his event’s webpage,” Campagna said. “From that page, donors can easily direct their contributions specifically to Oregon Coast Community College’s student support programs.”

Donate here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/55950/donations/new?tc=39968