Chemeketa Partners With Pacific University To Create New Pharmacy Career Pathway - 03/10/26

Agreement gives Chemeketa students a streamlined route to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and careers in Oregon’s growing healthcare workforce

Salem, Ore., March 10, 2026  — Students interested in pursuing careers as pharmacists now have a clearer path forward thanks to a new partnership between Chemeketa Community College and Pacific University. The agreement establishes a pharmacy track that allows Chemeketa students to complete their pre-pharmacy coursework locally before transferring into Pacific University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Beginning in Spring 2026, Chemeketa students enrolled in the pharmacy pathway will be able to complete foundational science and prerequisite coursework at Chemeketa before transitioning to Pacific University’s School of Pharmacy at its Hillsboro Campus. Students may then continue into either Pacific’s accelerated three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program or its extended five-year pathway designed for students who need additional flexibility while working or balancing family commitments. 

The partnership is part of a broader collaboration that also includes Umpqua Community College and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Oregon’s healthcare workforce.

“This new pathway reflects the power of collaboration between community colleges and universities to expand opportunities for students,” said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “Students can begin their journey here at Chemeketa with strong academic preparation and support, then move seamlessly into Pacific University’s pharmacy program. Partnerships like this help remove barriers, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and allow more local students to pursue meaningful careers that serve their communities.”

Students participating in the pathway will benefit from early engagement with Pacific University, including professional development opportunities, personalized application support, and waived application fees. Participants may also enroll in Pacific’s Jump Start Early Assurance Program, which provides conditional admission to the School of Pharmacy and access to faculty and special programming before transferring.

Demand for pharmacists remains strong nationwide and in Oregon. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for pharmacists are projected to grow by five percent through 2034, while workforce projections indicate a nationwide shortage of pharmacists in the coming decade.

Pacific University’s School of Pharmacy offers one of the region’s few accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy programs and introduced the nation’s first extended five-year PharmD pathway in 2023 to provide greater flexibility for working students.

Through this new pathway, Chemeketa students will have a clearly defined route from community college coursework to an advanced healthcare degree, helping meet critical workforce needs while expanding access to high-demand medical careers.

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For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves more than 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Strings Of Memory Concert At Chemeketa Explores Music Across Cultures - 03/10/26

International program featuring viola and piano highlights Mexican and Arab musical traditions in a powerful evening of global classical music.

Salem, Ore., Month Day, Year — Chemeketa Community College will host Strings of Memory, an evening of international classical music featuring acclaimed performers Melissa Terrall (piano) and Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc (viola), on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chemeketa Auditorium (Building 6), 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem.

The program takes audiences on a musical journey across continents, cultures, and centuries. Strings of Memory explores how composers express national identity, tradition, and deep human emotion through classical music, weaving together the passionate musical voices of Mexico and the Arab world.

The concert features José Pablo Moncayo’s emotionally charged Viola Sonata and Dia Succari’s rhythmically vibrant 5 Syrian Dances, alongside two solo works—one rooted in Mexican musical tradition and another inspired by Arab heritage. Together, the program blends familiar classical elements with unexpected cultural influences, offering listeners a vibrant global perspective on the classical repertoire.

Melissa Terrall previously performed a classical Mexican piano concert at Chemeketa that drew special recognition and attendance from representatives of the Mexican Consulate, highlighting the college’s role in celebrating diverse musical traditions.

From fiery melodies to lyrical reflections, Strings of Memory invites audiences to experience the stories, rhythms, and emotions that connect cultures across borders.

Event Details:
What: Strings of Memory
When: March 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Chemeketa Auditorium, Building 6, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR (Purple Parking Area)

Tickets and event information are available at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980397016788?aff=oddtdtcreator

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For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves more than 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

True North Duo Brings Award-Winning American Roots Music To Chemeketa - 03/09/26

Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel deliver an intimate evening of folk and country-inspired storytelling

Salem, Ore., Mary 9, 2026 — Chemeketa Concerts is pleased to present True North, the acclaimed American Roots duo featuring Kristen Grainger and Dan Wetzel, on March 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chemeketa Auditorium (Building 6), 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem. Parking is available in the Purple Parking Area.

With passionate harmonies, hand-built instruments, and memorable songwriting, Grainger and Wetzel create a sound that moves straight from the stage to the heart. Their performances blend refined musicianship with deeply expressive vocals, creating an intimate concert experience that resonates with audiences long after the final note.

The duo has earned top honors on some of the nation’s most respected stages, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and MerleFest. In 2021, Kristen Grainger was recognized by The Bluegrass Situation—alongside Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile—as one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack,” highlighting the emotional depth and cultural relevance of her songwriting.

Based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, True North performs nationally and internationally and has built a devoted following along the way. Three of their albums have reached #1 on the folk radio charts, and their newest release, Time and Materials, is already connecting with listeners across the country.

This special performance offers a rare opportunity to experience two master storytellers at the height of their craft—authentic, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

Event Details
What: True North in Concert
When: March 25, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Chemeketa Auditorium, Building 6
4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, Oregon
(Purple Parking Area)

Tickets are available through Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980197547169?aff=oddtdtcreator

Learn more about the artists at:
http://www.truenorthband.com

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For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves more than 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Blues-Rock Virtuoso James Howard Brings Electrifying “Wonder Wednesday: Encore” Performance To Chemeketa (Photo) - 02/25/26

Award-winning guitarist and songwriter delivers an intimate night of soulful vocals, psychedelic roots rock, and masterful musicianship on March 7

Salem, Ore., February 25, 2026 — Chemeketa Community College invites the community to experience an unforgettable evening of blues-rock brilliance as James Howard in Concert takes the stage on March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chemeketa Auditorium (Building 6), located at 4000 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem (Purple Parking Area).

A San Francisco Bay Area native with more than 40 years on stage, James Howard delivers an electrifying live show that blends virtuoso guitar, inspirational vocals, and fearless songwriting. Drawing inspiration from icons such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, and Pat Travers, Howard fuses traditional blues with psychedelic roots rock, seasoned with touches of Latin and jazz to create a sound that is uniquely his own.

His accolades include:

• Winner, Washington Blues Society Finals — 2016 & 2023

• Competitor, International Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN
   

• Winner, 2012 Best Blues Guitarist — Lee Ritenour’s Six String Theory Global Guitar Competition
   

• Semi-finalist, Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition
   

Critics consistently praise his artistry:

“What Howard can do with a guitar is remarkable… sweet and brilliant… deep in the well when it comes to guitar wizardry & creativity.” — Delta Snake Daily Blues

“A Jimi Hendrix on guitar with John Lennon’s voice and vision… a songwriter with great depth.” — Rock and Blues News

“Guitarist extraordinaire… a breathtaking exhibition… simply awesome.” — Music Connection Magazine

Now newly relocated to the Willamette Valley, Howard is eager to build a new audience right here at home. This special Wonder Wednesday: Encore performance offers an intimate, immersive concert experience featuring a master musician at the height of his powers.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite:
James Howard In Concert

Community members, music lovers, and blues-rock fans alike are encouraged to attend and experience a night of soulful sound and exceptional musicianship at Chemeketa.

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For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves more than 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.