Southwestern Oregon Community College is pleased to announce the selection of Barbara Eells of Gold Beach as the 2018 Distinguished Alumna. Southwestern’s Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to their professions, communities, or academia. Eells has distinguished herself in all three categories, starting with her graduation from Southwestern in 1986, with an Associate of Arts degrees in Social Work and Criminal Justice. Eells enrolled in her first Southwestern class in 1975. Over the next decade, she worked full time in a medical office, raised three children and studied nights for her degrees. “This is a remarkable accomplishment, considering she drove at night 167 miles on a dark, curvy highway, roundtrip to the Coos Campus to attend classes,” said Dr. Patty Scott, Southwestern president. “Barbara accomplished all of this before there was distance education and e-mail.” “She persevered to overcome the significant barriers we face in rural communities to gain a good education and meaningful career. Barbara is an inspiration,” Dr. Scott added. Eells started taking classes as a reserve sheriff’s deputy and continued her studies after graduating from Southwestern. She completed her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University through Southwestern’s extended campus, and moved into her profession that has spanned more than 30 years in Curry County. “I believe the answer to a lot of problems is education,” Eells said. “I think the more people are educated and open their minds to new ideas, the more we can make our homes, community and nation a better place to live.” Eells managed the Victim Assistance Program in Curry County, went on to work in Child Protective Services and co-founded the Oasis Shelter Home. She also mentored and trained others in fields of child abuse and domestic violence prevention. Eells’ educational and professional accomplishment equals the effort she put into community involvement and advocacy over the years. As a member of the Curry County Multi-disciplinary Team, she advocated for treatment for sexually abused youth and founded the first Child Advocacy Center in Gold Beach. She tried to retire, and still spent several years managing the local animal shelter office. Eells continues to volunteer with the Curry County District Attorney’s Office, and in other capacities. “I believe none of us make it to our goals alone, and I feel when we succeed at our goals, we should pay that forward by advocating in our own communities,” Eells said. “I am an activist for the vulnerable and disenfranchised. Whether that’s abused children, battered women or neglected animals, I try to be a voice for those who have no voice.” The Southwestern Foundation and Alumni Association will honor Eells at the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Celebration at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2018, at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute. Eells also will be the keynote speaker at the 2018 Southwestern Commencement Ceremony at noon, Friday, June 15, 2018. “I am looking forward to introducing Barbara as our keynote speaker to the 2018 graduating class,” Dr. Scott said. “She exemplifies how a community college education can help people enrich their lives and provide the skills needed to improve a community for generations of families.”
