SPRINGFIELD, MO – More than 2,700 degrees and certificates were awarded to students on May 15 as Ozarks Technical Community College celebrated Commencement at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. 

Graduates and their families filled the arena for both the 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. ceremonies, celebrating this year’s accomplishments. Graduates from summer 2024, fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 were invited to participate in the annual event.  

“Commencement Day is the most important milestone of the year and we are thrilled to honor our graduates for what they achieved,” said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon. 

In total, nearly 1,000 students participated in the ceremonies by accepting their credentials and turning their tassels on Thursday evening. This year’s ceremonies stood out in a few special ways – the first graduates of the new plumbing technology program received their certificates, and 2025 marked the second year the college awarded bachelor’s degrees to respiratory therapy graduates. 

This spring, approximately 42% of graduates came from the division of Arts, Sciences and Business. Thirty percent completed their credentials as Technical Education graduates, and 28% were graduates from the Health Sciences division. Ozarks Tech saw the most graduates receiving their Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, completing credentials designed to support them in transferring to universities. Nursing degrees and credentials made up the second largest group of graduates. 

The two ceremonies featured keynote remarks from Dr. Tracy McGrady, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. Dr. McGrady, who will retire in June after nearly 25 years with the college, spoke directly to the students about what faculty members want them to know as they complete their education and move forward in life. 

“Hold on to this: You belong,” said Dr. McGrady to the graduates and their supporters. “In every room you walk into, every opportunity you chase, the life you dream of creating – you belong there. If you ever doubt that, remember this day. Look at what you’ve already done. Claim your place in the world.” 

In addition to McGrady’s words, the audience also heard from two honored student speakers. Mary Higginbotham, a Bolivar native completing her Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science and Certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language, addressed students at the 3 p.m. ceremony. Derek Saiko, a Springfield native who graduated with his Associate of Arts in Business, was the speaker for the 6 p.m. ceremony. 

Higginbotham shared the challenges she has faced, and how her time at Ozarks Tech helped her overcome life’s hurdles. 

“I want you to think about your own story,” she told graduates. “What obstacles have you faced? What challenges have you overcome? Each of you sitting here today has proven, just as I have, that resilience, hard work, and determination can change the trajectory of your life.” 

Saiko, who finished his coursework last fall and is working toward additional education at Missouri State, encouraged fellow graduates to never stop pursuing their goals. 

“As we move into our next chapters, remember this: take the first step,” he said. “You won’t always know where it leads, and yeah, you might stumble—but if you don’t start, you’ll never get to see the view from the top.” 

At the completion of each ceremony, graduates were officially welcomed into the Ozarks Tech Alumni Association.  

For more information on how to start your journey with OTC, visit https://www.otc.edu.