Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series
The Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series (CLS) of the COCC Foundation brings renowned speakers, lecturers and experts to the region to deliver broad-based programming on a diverse range of educational and topical subjects. The program was established in 1985 by the late Robert W. Chandler, Sr. to honor his wife Nancy.
For more information about the program or its upcoming events, or to be added to our email list, please contact Charlotte Gilbride, coordinator of the Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series at cgilbride@cocc.edu or 541-383-7257.
Like the Chandler Lecture Series on Facebook for speaker announcements and updates.
Coming Fall Programs
Dr. Ellen Ochoa - Former NASA Director, 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
Thursday, October 3, 7 p.m.
Tower Theatre - downtown Bend
Livestream also available
The first Latina in space, Dr. Ellen Ochoa has charted an inspiring path — as a researcher, inventor, astronaut with four missions and director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Join us for a stirring presentation as Ochoa speaks about the frontiers of space and the importance of breaking barriers, from championing diversity in the STEM fields to expanding the culture of the corporate world.
Tickets
In-person $20 Reserve in-person tickets here
Livestream $5 Reserve livestream here
COCC students and staff are FREE. For complimentary in-person tickets email cgilbride@cocc.edu for promo code. For livestream, click Student Registration - FREE on the livestream
page.
This event is presented by Discovery West with additional support from COCC's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Bend Science Station, Lonza, The Appel Family Fund of OCF, the Associated Students of COCC and the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund.
When Ellen Ochoa was a child, being an astronaut simply wasn’t an option for girls. She didn’t have role models in STEM who looked like her. But that didn’t stop her from climbing the ranks: from engineer to inventor and finally to the stars, making history as the first Latina in space. She didn’t stop there, becoming director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where she transformed its company culture to welcome diverse voices. In 2024, Ellen was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Through her ground-breaking story, she became a role model for generations of girls and Latinx kids, inspiring them to aim high and sparking change in STEM fields.
As a woman in engineering, Ellen often faced people who didn’t think she belonged there. That’s why she’s working to ensure that women and minorities feel seen and welcomed in STEM. She championed diversity and inclusion in her time at NASA, making life better for both those on the ground and those in space. Her revolutionary work on NASA’s company culture is still held up as an example of how to change the world by changing people’s minds.
Ellen continues to give back to the community, inspiring the next generation of trailblazers like the early women in space inspired her. She has authored bilingual children’s books on science and engineering. She serves on several boards and recently concluded a term as chair of the National Science Board, having also served on its Vision 2030 Task Force focused on the U.S. maintaining its status as the world innovation leader. She’s in the Astronaut Hall of Fame and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the National Academy of Inventors, among others.
A Conversation with Dr. Ellen Ochoa - A Student Event
Friday, October 4, 12-1 p.m.
COCC Bend Campus, Coats Campus Center, Multicultural Center, Room 217
Students are invited to join an informal conversation and Q&A with the first Latina
in space, Dr. Ellen Ochoa. You will be inspired by her accomplishments, have a chance
to ask her questions, and learn more about her amazing life.
Snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch.
FREE and OPEN to all students.
We also encourage COCC students to attend Dr. Ochoa’s presentation at the Tower Theatre the evening prior to this (Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m.) Students can attend the Tower presentation at no charge. Email cgilbride@cocc.edu for promo code.
Why We Need Indigenous Ingenuity - Indigenuity - Now
Dr. Daniel Wildcat – Author and Professor, Haskell Indian Nations University
Sunday, November 3, 2 p.m.
Madras Performing Arts Center - 412 SE Bluff St, Madras
Livestream also available
This presentation will challenge the misconception that Indigenous knowledge is solely about the past. Dr. Wildcat will highlight how American Indian Nations are dynamic, evolving communities with living cultures, traditions, and knowledge. He will explore the concept of Indigenuity (Indigenous ingenuity)—how ancient wisdom informs modern problem-solving—and argue for the critical need for this unique knowledge in today’s world.
Tickets:
Sliding Scale Pricing $0-$15. Get your tickets here.
COCC students and staff are FREE. Use student and staff tickets on registration page.
This event is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional support from the Associated Students of COCC and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund.
This program has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
In advance of this event, persons needing accommodation because of a physical or mobility disability, or accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact COCC Disability Services at 541-383-7583 at least 48 hours in advance.
Daniel R. Wildcat is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma. Dr. Wildcat received an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and his service as teacher and administrator at Haskell Indian Nations University spans thirty-seven years. He was the Gordon Russell visiting professor of Native American Studies at Dartmouth College in 2013. In 1994, he partnered with the Hazardous Substance Research Center at Kansas State University to create the Haskell Environmental Research Studies (HERS) Center and subsequently start the HERS summer undergraduate internship program with KU professor Dr. Joane Nagel. He is a noted speaker on Traditional Ecological Knowledges and has offered programs for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the American Geophysical Union, the Ecological Society of America, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and many scientific organizations and universities.
Dr. Wildcat is currently the principal investigator of a 20-million-dollar, five-year, NSF-funded project to develop the Rising Voices, Changing Coasts Research Hub at Haskell: a research hub where Indigenous knowledges will be intrinsic to climate science developed to understand climate change impacts on Indigenous coastal Peoples of the US and its territories.
He is the author and editor of several books: Power and Place: Indian Education in America, with Vine Deloria, Jr.; Destroying Dogma: Vine Deloria’s Legacy on Intellectual America, with Steve Pavlik; and Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge. On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth explores Indigenous ingenuity—Indigenuity—and shares examples of its power in addressing the environmental crises of the Anthropocene. In addition, he is a co-author of the Southern Great Plains chapter of the Fourth National Climate Assessment.
Student Event with Dr. Daniel Wildcat
Monday, November 4, 11am - 12 pm
COCC Redmond Campus, RTEC 109
Students are invited to join an informal conversation and Q&A with Author and Professor at Haskell Indian Nations University, Dr. Daniel Wildcat.
“Dr. Dan” is developing a research hub at Haskell where indigenous knowledges will be intrinsic to climate science. He explores the concept of Indigenuity (Indigenous Ingenuity) – how ancient wisdom informs modern problem-solving – and argues for the critical need for this unique knowledge in today’s world.
He is the author of Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge and On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth and more.
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
FREE and OPEN to all students.
We also encourage COCC students to attend Dr. Wildcat’s presentation at the Madras Performing Art Center the evening prior to this (Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.). Students can attend the Madras presentation at no charge. Register here and click in-person COCC student.
To What Remains: Film Screening and Discussion
Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m.
Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus
Q&A Facilitated by Derek Abbey, Ph.D., Major, USMC (ret) & CEO, Project Recover
FREE and OPEN to the public. Reserve your spot here.
About the film: To What Remains is the story of Project Recover, a team of scientists, oceanographers, archaeologists, historians, researchers, and military veterans, who have dedicated their lives to scouring the depths of the ocean and the farthest corners of the earth, to search for, recover, and repatriate the remains of the more than 80,000 Americans missing in action since WWII.
In breathtaking imagery and intimate interviews with Project Recover team members and MIA families, To What Remains takes viewers inside this journey to honor our fallen servicemen, from the discovery of wreckage on the seafloor in the South Pacific to the living room of a stunned family in middle America, to a well-deserved final resting place at home.
Film Length: 1 hour 21 minutes
About Project Recover: Based in Bend, Project Recover is the only non-governmental
organization (NGO) that can conduct MIA search and recovery missions in both underwater
and land environments. Their strong values of respect and perseverance have helped
them build trusting relationships with their partners, host countries, and their growing
community of MIA family members and supporters. Their education initiatives aim to
keep the stories of MIAs alive, as well as expose current and future generations to
history, civic duty, and the many career options related to their work.
This program is in partnership with COCC's Veteran Program with additional support from the Associated Students of COCC and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund.
Sponsors of The Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series:
In advance of College events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because
of a physical or mobility disability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237.
For accommodation because of other disability such as hearing impairment, contact
Disability Services at 541-383-7583.