As a longtime educator, Coquille resident Dorothy Heagy's said that as far as she's concerned, education is her mission, her passion in life. Heagy's support of lifelong learning and Southwestern Oregon Community College make her a fitting selection for the Laker of the Year award. The Southwestern Foundation recognized Heagy as its second winner of the award recently during its annual dinner event.

A teacher for more than 60 years, Heagy taught students from kindergarten through doctorate level studies in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. From 1971 until her retirement in 1981, Heagy taught in the Coquille Public School District.

She also served Southwestern as an instructor, a College Board of Education member from 1992 to 2001 and as a member of the Foundation Board for eight years.

The Laker of the Year award is distributed to a citizen who has been dedicated to Southwestern and education for all. Heagy was selected from nominations submitted by the Foundation Board and she also received a plaque for her contributions to Southwestern and the foundation at the second-annual foundation membership meeting on June 7.

“It's a very flattering award,” she said. “But I think there have been other people who have done more.”