GRANTS PASS, Oregon (Aug. 21, 2025) — Rogue Community College (RCC) will celebrate the grand opening of its newly renovated E Building at Redwood Campus on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The $3.95 million renovation transforms the 9,894-square-foot facility into a state-of-the-art training hub for RCC’s growing Allied Health programs, greatly expanding opportunities for healthcare education in Josephine County.
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. outside the E Building (Elk Building) on the west side of the Student Center. Following brief remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests are invited to tour the building’s modernized classrooms and labs, meet Allied Health faculty and learn about RCC’s expanded healthcare training options.
A major investment in healthcare education
Built in 1981, the E Building received a complete overhaul this year, including all-new electrical, plumbing, HVAC and mechanical systems, as well as ADA upgrades such as a new sidewalk and ramp. The renovation was made possible through $3.615 million in congressional appropriations funding, secured with the support of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.
“We are honored to have this project among the strategic investments helping Oregonians build economic resiliency and healthier communities,” said RCC President Randy Weber. “We are deeply grateful to Sens. Merkley and Wyden for championing this investment in healthcare education for our region.”
“In my town halls across Oregon, I hear from folks about urgent staffing gaps and health care shortages,” said Sen. Merkley, who secured investments for this community-initiated project as a key member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This expansion for Rogue Community College is a win-win opportunity to expand health care training and create access to high-paying jobs in Southern Oregon at a time when it’s never been more critical to invest in these efforts. Preparing skilled health workers is key to keeping our communities healthy and strong, and I will continue to look for ways to support homegrown projects like the RCC expansion that will benefit Oregonians for years to come.”
Sen. Wyden visited the renovated building Tuesday morning during a visit to Southern Oregon.
“My visit this week to RCC’s Redwood Campus left me very impressed with all the school has accomplished to expand its health care training opportunities for people seeking work throughout Southern Oregon in this growing field,” Wyden said. “I am proud to have teamed up with the college and Sen. Merkley to secure this federal investment that will pay health and employment dividends now and for generations to come.”
Expanding programs at Redwood Campus
Beginning this fall, RCC will offer four Allied Health programs at Redwood Campus: dental assisting, medical assisting, nursing assisting and phlebotomy. In the past, most of RCC’s healthcare programs were located exclusively at the Table Rock Campus in White City, with limited courses 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.”
Open house to showcase entire campus
The ribbon cutting kicks off a campus-wide open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can explore academic programs, high-tech learning environments and student services including admissions, registration and financial aid.
Redwood Campus is located at 3345 Redwood Highway in Grants Pass. The closest parking to the E Building is near the Rogue Auditorium; enter via Demaray Drive and follow College Drive to the end. Visit RCC’s Open House webpage for details.
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For general media inquiries or to schedule an interview with RCC staff, please contact Director, Marketing & Communications/PIO Kelly Gonzales at 541-955-7525, kgonzales@roguecc.edu.