OCCC Foundation’s Pearls of Wisdom Gala Raises Record $102,000

Third Consecutive Year of Growth Reflects Rising Community Commitment to Student Success

NEWPORT, OR — The Oregon Coast Community College Foundation’s annual Pearls of Wisdom Gala, held Saturday, March 14, at the College’s Central County Campus in Newport, raised a record $102,000 to support scholarships for Oregon Coast Community College students — a remarkable leap from $74,000 raised in 2025 and approximately $50,000 in 2024. All proceeds fund Foundation scholarships, helping to lower the cost of attendance and reduce financial barriers for Lincoln County residents pursuing higher education and career advancement.

The trajectory tells a compelling story: in just three years, the gala has more than doubled its impact, reflecting deepening investment from the business community, local leaders, and individuals who believe in OCCC’s mission of accessible, affordable education on the Oregon Coast.

“Every dollar raised goes directly to students,” said Jeanette Campagna, Director of Advancement for the OCCC Foundation. “To see this level of generosity from our community year after year is humbling — and it makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

A New Tradition: The President’s Reception

For the first time, the evening opened with an optional President’s Reception, offering guests a facilitated wine tasting and the chance to get acquainted with Dr. Marshall Mease Roache, who was named president of Oregon Coast Community College in January 2025. The reception provided an intimate setting for community members, donors, and supporters to connect directly with college leadership before the main event.

Friend of the College Award Honors Dr. Lesley Ogden

As part of the evening’s program, the College presented its annual “Friend of the College” award, recognizing an individual whose sustained contributions have significantly advanced OCCC’s mission.

President Dr. Marshall Mease Roache announced that the 2026 recipient is Dr. Lesley Ogden, CEO of Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport and Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City.

Dr. Ogden has been a consistent champion of OCCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs. Each year, Samaritan’s local hospitals hire graduates from the College’s nursing program, helping to strengthen the healthcare workforce across Lincoln County. In addition, Dr. Ogden and her team work closely with OCCC faculty and leadership to develop rigorous, real-world practicum placements that prepare students for clinical practice.

The foundations supporting both hospitals also provide ongoing financial support to the program, contributing to the steady expansion of OCCC’s nursing offerings in recent years.

“Sustained, remarkable growth the likes of which our program has experienced in recent years doesn’t happen by accident,” said President Roache. “It’s what comes when a talented student body is paired with an exceptional lineup of professional faculty — and with the unflagging support of stakeholders and supporters like Dr. Lesley Ogden.”

This continued growth will be reflected on June 12, when OCCC holds its 20th Nursing Pinning Ceremony — a milestone event that is expected to be the largest in the College’s history, with more than 46 graduates.

An Evening of Generosity and Community

The gala was emceed by Representative David Gomberg, who also volunteers as a member of the OCCC Foundation Board, and Patrick Alexander, owner and publisher of the Oregon Coast TODAY and an elected member of the OCCC Board of Education. Together, they brought energy and humor to both the live auction and the spirited Paddle Raise, which drew enthusiastic participation from the crowd.

Dinner was provided by Side Door Café of Gleneden Beach, whose culinary contributions added warmth and elegance to the evening.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the businesses and individuals whose sponsorship made the evening possible. Sponsor categories reflect the values of different pearl varieties:

Akoya Pearls Sponsors (Presenting Sponsors, $5,000):

Georgia Pacific-Toledo • Lease Crutcher Lewis • Samaritan Health Services

Tahitian Pearls Sponsors ($2,500):

Columbia Bank • Dr. Doug Chadwick • GLAS Architects • Yaquina Law

Freshwater Pearls Sponsors ($1,000):

Coastal Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning • Integrity Management Solutions • NW Natural • RD Construction Services • Thompson’s Sanitary Services

Golden South Sea Pearls Sponsors ($500):

Dahl Disposal • Diamonds by the Sea • Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County • Edward Jones • 1st Security Bank • Oregon Coast Today • Dr. Stephen Percy • Dr. Marshall and Leslie Roache • David James Robinson, Attorney at Law • Salon Ethos • TCB Security Services

Scholarship support from the Foundation helps make Oregon Coast Community College’s already-affordable tuition even more accessible, ensuring that cost is not the deciding factor for Lincoln County residents of any age who are ready to pursue a degree, certificate, or career training program.

For more information about the OCCC Foundation, its scholarship programs, or how to support student success on the Oregon Coast, visit oregoncoast.edu or contact the Foundation office.

About Oregon Coast Community College

Oregon Coast Community College has served Lincoln County residents for 39 years. The college offers a robust lineup of transfer degrees to provide affordable, rigorous pathways to four-year degrees from Oregon Universities. The College is also home to the innovative Aquarium Science Program, and one of Oregon’s largest nursing programs. On the College’s Newport campus, construction is currently underway on a new, $30 million trades education facility, the Oregon Coast Advanced Technology & Trades (OCATT) Center. Learn more and discover the full range of degree and certificate programs available at OCCC at oregoncoast.edu. Follow OCCC on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, @occcsharks. You can also join the OCCC Community on LinkedIn. Or, call the College at 541-867-8501