(GRANTS PASS, OR.) — Rogue Community College (RCC) will mark a major milestone in healthcare education for Josephine County with the grand opening of its newly renovated E Building at the Redwood Campus on Monday, Aug. 26.
The event begins at 10 a.m. on the west side of the Student Center with opening remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following the formalities, guests will be invited to tour the remodeled facility, meet instructors from RCC’s Allied Health programs, and see firsthand how the building has been transformed to support in-demand medical training.
The celebration will also serve as the kickoff for a campus-wide open house, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering prospective students, families, and community members the chance to explore classrooms, labs, and student services across the Redwood Campus, located at 3345 Redwood Highway.
Constructed in 1981, the 9,894-square-foot E Building—formally known as Elk Building—has undergone a complete renovation after more than four decades of service. Once home to science classes, the facility sat idle following the 2022 opening of RCC’s new science center, the Owyhee Building. Now, it has been repurposed as a modern hub for healthcare training.
Beginning this fall, the Redwood Campus will offer four allied health programs: dental assisting, medical assisting, nursing assistant, and phlebotomy. These programs have traditionally been concentrated at RCC’s Table Rock Campus in White City, with only limited offerings available locally in temporary Redwood Campus spaces.
“This renovation brings new opportunities for students in Josephine County to prepare for in-demand careers in the healthcare field,” said Dave Koehler, RCC provost and vice president of Student Learning & Success. “The updated space is well-organized, comfortable and designed to support high-quality, hands-on training.”
The $3.95 million project included upgrades to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical systems, along with full ADA improvements such as a new sidewalk and ramp. The redesign was made possible through $3.615 million in congressional appropriations funding, championed by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.
“We are honored to have this project included in the bill’s strategic investments to help Oregonians build economic resiliency and healthier communities,” said RCC President Randy Weber. “We are deeply grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden for championing this investment in healthcare education for our region.”
During the open house, attendees can learn about RCC’s academic programs, high-tech learning environments, and student support services, including assistance with admissions, registration, and financial aid.
The Redwood Campus celebration is part of a series of RCC open house events across southern Oregon. The Riverside Campus in Medford will hold its open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, and the Table Rock Campus in White City will welcome visitors from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 21.
For more information about the open house or the Allied Health programs, visit roguecc.edu/openhouse.