College of the Siskiyous (COS) is a public two-year community college with campuses located in Weed and Yreka in Siskiyou County in Northern California. It is part of the California Community Colleges System, serving as the northernmost college in the state of California and the only college in Siskiyou County. The college is in the service area of California State University, Chico and one of only ten community colleges in California that provide on-campus dormitories for students.
History
In 1957, COS was founded after a special election. Buildings on the current location first opened their doors on September 8, 1959. Facilities at the Weed Campus include Herschel Meredith Stadium for football and track and field events, Kenneth W. Ford Theater for musical and theatrical performances, tactical training center and five-story training tower, brand-new two-story science complex, two on-campus resident lodges; and in Yreka, the Rural Health Science Institute and Law Enforcement Training Center. COS also is known for its administration of justice program, paramedic program and fire academy, considered by many to be the best in California. The athletic mascot is the Eagle.
It has been fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1961, the Fire/Emergency Response Technology Program is approved by the State Fire Marshal's Office, and the Emergency Medical Technician, Licensed Vocational Nursing and Registered Nursing Programs are accredited by the proper state agencies. The nursing programs, including the LVN to RN step up program, are a hallmark of the College of the Siskiyous. Music, Theater, and Visual Arts classes are also popular with the students at College of the Siskiyous.
COS offers the student intercollegiate athletic competition in a number of sports. Women's collegiate sports include: basketball, softball, cross country, track, soccer and volleyball. Men's collegiate sports include: baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, track and football. Under the direction of Charlie Roche the Football team was the 2012 winner of the Top of the State Bowl. For two consecutive years (2012 and 2013), the football team was conference champion of the Mid Empire Football league and was host of the Top of the State Bowl Game (Central Division Championship football game). In 2014, COS hosted and won the North State Bowl Game, against Shasta College of Redding, California. The COS Women's Basketball team is also widely-known for its program. Under the direction of long-time head coach Tom Powers, the Women's Basketball team has been Golden Valley Conference Champions for the last six consecutive years, and in 2017 was the California Community College State Runner-up in Women's Basketball.
A common misconception about COS is that it is named after Siskiyou County. But it is actually named after the Siskiyou Mountains, a mountain range that runs along the California-Oregon border, which is referred to as "the Siskiyous" (referenced in the plural form, instead of singular). The natural environment of mountains, forests, lakes, and streams, serves as an outdoor workshop for many classes such as art, geology, life sciences, physical and recreational education. Siskiyou County is located in far northern California, approximately 30 miles south of the Oregon border, with a population of about 45,000 residents. Opportunities for outdoor recreation and sports abound: hiking, camping, snowboarding and swimming, bicycling, rock and mountain climbing, hunting, fishing and boating. Rafting and kayaking on nearby whitewater rivers are special attractions. In the winter, there is superb snowboarding, and downhill and cross-country skiing on Mt. Shasta (approximately 30 minutes from the Weed Campus).
The current president of COS is Scotty Thomason, who is the 11th president. Thomason came to Siskiyou County in 2012 to serve as the college’s Interim Vice President of Administrative Services. He holds a master's degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno; and Lifetime Community College Supervisory and Student Worker Personnel credentials. He has over 35 years of experience in higher education within the State of California in the areas of business, instruction, and student services.
Alumni
- Mark Acre, professional baseball player
- Emilio Fraietta, Canadian football player
- Dan Hawkins, the former head football coach at the University of Colorado.
- Chris Szarka, former Canadian Football League player.
- Darren Yewchyn, Canadian football player
References
External links
- Official website
- Facebook page: Nursing Program at College of the Siskiyous
- Twitter handle: Nursing Program at College of the Siskiyous