Around OTC, few people know Justin Frese beyond his role as a construction technology instructor. Outside of the classroom, however, Justin has a mission: making climbing accessible in Southwest Missouri. An article in “Climbing” magazine names Justin Frese as one of, “the area’s most active developers, pushing the envelope every climbable day, year-round.” “The rock…
Initially, Kila Butts resisted the idea of going back to school. She would have to quit her job, survive off her husband’s income and find a way to pay tuition. But, after eight years in the telecommunications business, she decided it was time. Kila pushed her doubts aside and enrolled at OTC. “I couldn’t let…
Whitney La had never heard of respiratory therapists prior to her son’s seven-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. But now that her son, Max, is a healthy and thriving toddler, she’s working toward a degree in the field. A business entrepreneur and mother of three, Whitney grew close…
Ozarks Technical Community College will host virtual FAFSA Q&A sessions for current and prospective students in December. The sessions, held via Zoom, will give students and their families the opportunity to receive FAFSA filing assistance from an experienced financial aid advisor. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form completed by…
The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) honored OTC employees at its 55th annual convention, held Nov. 11-13. The convention was virtual this year due to COVID-19. At the convention, the following individuals were recognized for their outstanding service to OTC: Administrative Professional Leadership and Senior Service Award: Marla Moody, Vice Chancellor for Finance *Ms. Moody…
OTC administrators and trustees honored the 2020 Excellence in Education award recipients at the college’s monthly board meeting in November. Candidates were nominated by staff members and selected by a college-wide committee. Each winner was presented with a plaque and monetary award, made possible by a donation from the Turner Family Foundation. “Since 1992, OTC has recognized…
Ozarks Technical Community College and Burrell Behavioral Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide mental health services, free of charge, to OTC students and employees. Burrell will provide the following services: A part-time mental health counselor for students at the OTC Springfield Campus. A part-time mental health counselor for students at the OTC…
The largest capital investment in the history of Ozarks Technical Community College will bear the name of the late businessman and philanthropist Robert W. Plaster. The announcement came at the groundbreaking for the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PMC) today, Nov. 12 at the OTC Springfield Campus. The stated goals of the Robert…
Ozarks Technical Community College announced Robert Border as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Veteran Award during the college’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, held Wednesday, Nov. 11. OTC’s Outstanding Student Veteran Award is presented annually to a student in good academic standing with an honorable service record. The student’s personal conduct, contributions and successes…
In a rare move offered by few institutions of higher learning, Ozarks Technical Community College created a nursing pathway exclusively for paramedics. Pending the completion of an eight-week introduction to nursing course, paramedics can gain admission into the college’s hybrid Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse program. The Missouri State Board of Nursing approved the…
While the start of the spring semester might seem far away, registration begins November 11! The OTC Academic Advising Team sees a lot of students make the same planning and registration mistakes semester after semester. To help, we’ve created a list of things you can do to ensure a smooth registration process. Plan your courses…
Amid humming machinery and whirring computer systems, OTC student Abigail Dotson has found her happy place. One of just three women in the college’s Industrial Systems Technology Program, Abbey hopes to become a mechanical engineer someday. “Taking stuff apart, fixing it and putting it back together – it’s just always something that I’ve enjoyed doing,”…
Nurses and physicians figure prominently in coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there’s another vital group of health care professionals who don’t always get the same recognition: respiratory therapists. OTC graduate Jeff Atkinson is a prime example, having treated hundreds of COVID-19 patients at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Jeff is one of more than…
The term “service learning” may conjure images of earnest college students helping build a Habitat for Humanity home or donating time to paint a school. But, those types of activities are more likely volunteering — heavy on the “service” portion and light on “learning.” Service learning gives students experiences that enhance their overall understanding of…
Tucked away in quiet workspaces or offices, linked only by technology and their shared mission, OTC’s COVID-19 case managers have been hard at work for months. Responsible for helping students navigate coronavirus-related issues, these employees spend their days communicating by email or phone as they sift through student reports, questions and concerns. “We don’t just…
OTC serves as the economic engine of southwest Missouri, and one alumna has a promising future in the driver’s seat. Peyton Andrews is entering her fourth year working for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where she and her team work to promote the region’s economic health, stimulate job growth, and improve the quality of life in…
Too many people experience harm at the hands of an intimate partner, but we can all take steps to make our campus and community safer. See the resources and information below to learn how you can be part of the solution. About Domestic Violence Dating or domestic violence is when one partner uses coercive and…
The 2021-2022 FAFSA opens Oct. 1, and now’s the time to submit your application. A completed FAFSA will determine your federal financial aid eligibility. It can also help you secure additional grants and scholarships. For example: If you qualified for the A+ Scholarship in high school and are still eligible, you must have a valid…
The Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) at Ozarks Technical Community College will expand to serve infants and toddlers beginning in the fall of 2021. The expansion is made possible by a $180,494 grant from the Missouri Department of Social Services. The ECEC currently serves children between the ages of 2-5 years old and…
It’s no secret the restaurant industry has been forced to adapt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and OTC’s student-led restaurant – Scallions – is no exception. In the past, Scallions offered an on-campus, fine-dining experience with cuisine prepared and served by OTC culinary students. This fall, Scallions will switch things up by offering lunch…
Renowned local dentist Dr. Gary Buzbee is swapping his dental drill for gardening gloves. After leading a successful dental practice for nearly 43 years, the Springfield native is starting a new adventure in OTC’s agriculture program. Gary still works part time at his established practice, Buzbee Dental, but his passion for horticulture continues to grow.…
Luke Livgren is making a world of difference with his degrees from OTC. Since graduation, the registered nurse has traveled the globe on seven different medical missions. His first trips involved two- and three-month stints in war-torn Iraq. Most recently, he worked in New York City’s Beth Israel Hospital during the coronavirus outbreak. “After finding…
For many years, the Ozarks Technical Community College Agriculture Program was housed amongst the pavement and concrete of the Springfield campus. Its recent move to the Richwood Valley campus in Christian County brought about a more rural setting, featuring 84 acres of prairie, woods and even a spring. Now, with the donation of five steers…
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Comments or thoughts about suicide — also known as suicidal ideation — can begin small with sentiments like, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, these comments or thoughts can become more explicit and dangerous. Helping others If you have…
OTC’s Dr. Loren Lundstrom survived one of the deadliest days in modern American history. The now-retired Lieutenant Colonel was one of about 20,000 government employees working in the Pentagon when American Airlines flight 77 hit the building at 9:37 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001. The consequences of the attack, coupled with his robust military career,…