Tillamook Bay Community College (TBCC) welcomed over 200 community members, students, and partners on April 18 for a highly anticipated Campus Grand Opening, marking a major milestone in the college’s growth and investment in Tillamook County.
Held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the event drew attendees from across the region to explore three significant additions to campus: the Administration & Health Sciences Building, the Community Center, and the Center for Industrial Technology. The afternoon began with remarks from TBCC President Dr. Paul Jarrell and Senator Merkley’s office, who is also the Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus.
Both Dr. Jarrell and Senator Merkley emphasized the college’s commitment to expanding educational access and strengthening the local workforce on the Oregon coast.
Guests were invited to tour each new facility and explore the spaces designed to support both student success and community engagement.
New Facilities on Campus
The Administration & Health Sciences (AHS) Building showcased modern learning environments designed to support a range of healthcare programs, including nursing, emergency medical services, and allied health pathways. The facility features high-fidelity nursing simulation labs, hands-on EMT training spaces, an ambulance simulator, and dedicated classrooms that mirror real-world clinical environments, allowing students to build critical skills in a safe, controlled setting.
The Community Center offered a dynamic new gathering space for both the college and the broader community. Designed with flexibility in mind, the venue can accommodate up to 400 guests and features a warming kitchen, modern AV capabilities, and adaptable layouts for events ranging from conferences and workshops to community celebrations and regional partnerships. As a shared space, the Community Center is positioned to serve as a hub for connection, collaboration, and engagement, supporting TBCC’s role as both an educational institution and a community anchor.
The Center for Industrial Technology (CIT) offered a look into the future of TBCC’s Manufacturing and Industrial Technology programs, highlighting hands-on learning opportunities that align with regional workforce needs. With completion expected in the next few months, the CIT building will transform manufacturing and industrial technology programs at the college.
Fun for Guests
Throughout all four buildings, tables were showcasing TBCC services, including the food pantry, veteran services, financial aid, and more. There were also program demonstrations with microscopes, a math exercise, forestry tools, and the Nursing and EMT labs were operational for guests to interact with as well.
Attendees enjoyed refreshments from Garibaldi Portside Bistro, Sugar + Air, Pelican Brewing, and the Tillamook Creamery. And, courtesy of the Tillamook County Transportation District, guests were carried from building to building on the trolley. Guests also participated in free raffles featuring prizes such as a Tillamook getaway package, a DeWalt tool set, a crabbing experience, and a 15-credit certificate to TBCC, a $1,500 educational value.
Dedicating the Plaza
The outdoor plaza, connecting the Student Learning & Support Building (previously the “Main Campus”) and AHS, was dedicated to President Emeritus Jon Carnahan during the ceremony.
Few individuals have shaped the history and future of Tillamook Bay Community College as profoundly as Jon Carnahan. He served the college in many roles over more than two decades, helping guide TBCC through leadership challenges, rebuilding trust, supporting the successful 2007 bond measure, advancing the vision for the modern campus, strengthening the Foundation, supporting future presidential leadership, and continuing to lend his wisdom and counsel even after his presidency, including support and guidance for the successful 2022 bond measure that helped make this campus transformation possible.
Closing Community College Month
The event, held during National Community College Month, served not only as a celebration of new facilities but also as a reflection of community support—made possible through local bond approval—and a shared investment in the future of education and workforce development in Tillamook County.
With doors now open, TBCC enters an exciting new chapter. These spaces will power innovation, expand access, and create new pathways for students and community members, reinforcing the college’s role as a driving force for opportunity and growth in Tillamook County.
A Special Thank You
TBCC would like to thank everyone who attended the Campus Grand Opening, industry partners, Senator Merkley, and the college staff and faculty who made the event possible, as well as Tillamook County voters.
Thank you for your work on the project as a whole, your patience during the process, and your dedication to making AHS into the best facility it could be.