On Aug. 7, Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook jumped into the Columbia River in Hood River to celebrate the completion of his run across Oregon this summer.
Over the course of 53 days and more than 1,400 miles, Cook ran to each of the 17 community colleges in Oregon to raise awareness and funds for student basic needs. The campaign, Running for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS), kicked off on June 16 at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore. From there he worked his way across eastern and central Oregon, then south to Klamath Falls, up the Willamette Valley, over to the coast up to Astoria, down through the Portland metro area and ending in Hood River.
During the run, Cook:
- Ran 1,411 miles
- Averaged 27 miles a day, totalling 53 marathons
- Took 3,990,967 steps
- Climbed 64,183 feet, equivalent to two Mt. Everests
- Burned 148,965 calories
- Lost five toenails
- Endured many blisters
- Wore out six pairs of shoes
- Drank 30 gallons of sport drink and 40 gallons of water
- Slurped 60 protein shakes, 45 popsicles, 10 smoothies and 12 cherry-dipped cones
- Ate 100 eggs, 15 oranges, 20 watermelons and 15 pints of blueberries
- Used eight cans of sunscreen
This ambitious campaign spotlighted the growing need for basic resources such as food, housing, child care and transportation that often create barriers to student success.
“Several years ago, I got really concerned about the number of students at CCC who were living out of their cars. I saw our food pantries get wiped out every week, and I started to really worry about their basic needs,” Cook said. “I wanted to do something like this to hopefully raise attention to the fact that students are struggling.”
ROCCS garnered attention not only at the state level, but at a national level, including from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who recognized Cook on the Senate Floor on July 23. He said, "President Tim Cook is running, not for office, but he is running for his students. He is pounding the pavement in the summer heat to highlight that when students’ basic needs are met, they can focus on education and create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.”
At Clackamas Community College, 38% of students reported food insecurity in a survey last spring. They also shared challenges with affording child care and transportation. Statewide, more than 200,000 community college students face ongoing challenges, with more than 40 percent reporting food insecurity and 20 percent reporting homelessness in the past year. A survey from The Hope Center highlights the pressing needs of Oregon's community college students:
- Food insecurity: Approximately 41% of students reported experiencing food insecurity within the previous 30 days.
- Housing insecurity: About 52% of students faced housing insecurity in the past year, which includes difficulties such as affording rent, utilities or the need to move frequently.
- Homelessness: Nearly 20% of students experienced homelessness in the past year, indicating a lack of stable and safe housing.
“The CCC Foundation is incredibly proud of President Cook and his dedication to community college students. Every week, we receive multiple requests for basic need support, and the need is increasing. By the end of July 2025, the foundation had distributed nearly the amount it had distributed in the entire calendar year 2024. Requests for rent and utility bills are the most common, along with medical bills and transportation. When we can support a student's basic needs, they can stay enrolled and achieve their educational goals instead of worrying about their next meal,” CCC Foundation Executive Director Debra Mason said.
To date, the campaign has surpassed the goal of $150,000 and has nearly 800 donors, with funds being distributed directly to each participating college. To further support students’ basic needs, the CCC Foundation has created a new endowment that will provide help today and for years to come..
“To everyone who has aided the ROCCS campaign in any way, whether it was through donations, volunteering or cheerleading from the sidelines, thank you. The level of support and generosity we have experienced along the way gives me hope for our students and their futures,” Cook said.
There is still time to donate as the campaign is open through Aug. 30. To learn more or contribute, visit run4orccstudents.org. ROCCS was sponsored by Rivermark Community Credit Union, Johnson RV, Daimler Truck North America, The Ford Family Foundation, Jim Laden and Rep. Rob Nosse, and the CCC Foundation.
Source: Clackamas Community College