Charlie Smith is a man of many titles: veteran, groundwater scientist and geological engineer to name a few. A conservationist at heart, Charlie spends his days working as a hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey. He landed the job while a student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, but he credits another institution…
When an unexpected divorce left Amberly Vernatti a single mother to three children, she knew a career change was in order. Her retail job wasn’t going to cut it anymore. She needed a new career, and fast. Amberly is now a surgical technologist at CoxHealth in Springfield. She spends her days bringing babies into the…
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize Dr. Joan Barrett, OTC’s vice chancellor for student affairs, with the Distinguished College Administrator Award during PTK Catalyst 2019, the society’s annual convention, held April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida. The Distinguished College Administrator Awards are presented to college vice presidents, deans, or directors serving at post-secondary institutions…
OTC selects BatesForum, a full-service design and technology firm, to provide architectural services for its Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) facility. The OTC Board of Trustees approved the proposal at its monthly board meeting held Feb. 11. Slated to open in 2022, the multi-million dollar building will serve as the regional hub for advanced manufacturing…
Loving Diversity Week is a celebration of OTC’s diverse college community. It’s an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about our human identities, experiences and interactions with one another. Help us celebrate the diversity we share on campus and in our community the week of Feb. 11-15. Check out the events happening at the Springfield campus…
OTC alumnus Nanchang Lamde’s fascination with motion pictures began at an early age. Once his daily chores were complete, Nanchang would run barefoot along the dusty roads of his small village in Nigeria to his neighbors’ house. Standing on his tiptoes, he would peer into the window to catch a glimpse of their television set.…
OTC student Javeon England is stepping into an important role this semester. The 20-year-old business and marketing major has been named the president of Brother 2 Brother (B2B), a “near-peer” mentoring program that strives to improve college retention and graduation rates among minority students. “We’re more of a family than a brotherhood,” Javeon said. “We…
Jim and Debby Baugh say there is nothing heroic about their support of the OTC Foundation. In fact, Jim says the real heroes are the students who pursue the life changing educational opportunities offered by the college. “It’s the men and women who overcome tremendous obstacles to get what was given to me at the…
At the end of the spring semester, OTC graduates will have a new degree or certificate to add to their resumes. But, a select few will have something else to add, the title “published author.” Instructor Jane Cowden’s ENG 195 students are producing the third edition of “Go Anywhere Magazine,” a popular anthology of writing…
Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College, received the Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VI. The award is presented annually to an outstanding president, chancellor, head master or system head of a District VI CASE member institution. CASE supports alumni relations, communications, development, and…
Students and faculty at Ozarks Technical Community College will join others across the nation to celebrate SkillsUSA Week, Feb. 3-9, 2019. The annual celebration represents over 300,000 SkillsUSA members nationwide and promotes career and technical education (CTE). The week highlights the benefits of the SkillsUSA program in developing personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in…
Ozarks Technical Community College will host an open house for its Surgical Technology Program on Monday, Feb. 11. The come-and-go event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Surgical Technology Operating Room, located at the OTC Springfield Campus in Lincoln Hall, room 301. The open house will give prospective students and…