SWOCC President Patty Scott, left, congratulates Curry County Dean Janet Pretti over a glass of sparkling cider. The Pilot/Charlie Kocher

On the heels of that milestone came Monday’s announcement of a $25,000 donation to the project, just in time to help fund the purchase of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

“It’s hard not to be emotional,” said SWOCC President Patty Scott when she toasted the Curry County staff at a quiet dinner Monday night after they toured the brand new building.

Joining the Brookings staff were former Curry County Dean Peggy Georgen, who searched for years for a site, and Cherie Mitchell, a member of the college board.

Finishing touches are still under way in the two-story, 26,785-square-foot building, which will not open to students until January. A full-scale grand opening is planned for Jan. 27.

With seven classrooms,  health training suite, science lab, wireless Internet access and more features, the facility is far different from SWOCC’s current Brookings Center: two classrooms and a computer lab in the former city library.

The $6 million construction project is on land donated by U.S. Borax near the entrance to its planned Lone Ranch housing development. 

The construction budget did not include furnishings and equipment, according to Curry County Dean Janet Pretti, who has shepherded the project through design and completion.

That made the new gift of $25,000 by Margaret Dean, 101, Bandon, all the more important.

“We are very thankful to Mrs. Dean who is  helping to fund the  final stages of the new building in Brookings,” said Karen Pringle, director of the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation. “There is a funding gap just over $200,000 which needs to be raised  through gifts and grants.”

The college will name a room in the Curry Campus in honor of Jack and Margaret Dean, according to Pringle.

At 101 years of age, Maggie, as many of her friends call her, attributes her long  life to being happy.  About the gift she recently gave, she says with a smile  “I can’t take it with me!”