Springfield, Mo. — The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) has recognized Ozarks Tech Foundation Board of Directors member Judy Breeding with its prestigious Award of Distinction, honoring her decades of dedication to advancing education and opportunity in southwest Missouri.
Breeding, the longest-serving member of the Ozarks Tech Foundation Board, has played a pivotal role in supporting the college since 2001. Most recently, she made a significant investment in the Judy and Mike Breeding Clock Tower, adjacent to the new Michael L. Parson Student Union, set to open in fall 2026. The Judy and Mike Breeding Clock Tower will illuminate the campus at night and serve as a signature landmark.
“Judy’s advocacy and generosity have helped transform access to higher education in our region,” said Ozarks Tech Chancellor Hal Higdon. “From her leadership on the Foundation Board to the continued investments she makes in the college, her impact will be felt by generations of Ozarks Tech students.”
Breeding’s professional accomplishments are a model for young women entering the workforce. She was the first female certified public accountant at accounting firm BKD (now FORVIS Mazars) and later became the firm’s first female partner.
“I believe in women breaking through that glass ceiling,” said Breeding. “I was a recipient of a scholarship, and it changed my life.”
She and her husband, Mike, have contributed to multiple scholarships over the years, including establishing the Judy Breeding Accounting Scholarship for women pursuing an accounting degree. “Education is the best thing we can do for our community,” she said.
The MCCA Award of Distinction recognizes select individuals who have made a lasting impact on Missouri’s community colleges. Breeding’s trailblazing career and unwavering support of Ozarks Tech exemplify the spirit of the award.