A collaboration by two OTC instructors, one in music and the other in art, has resulted in a unique music instruction book for those looking to learn to play the Native American flute. The Mel Bay-published book, “First Lessons Native American Flute: How to Sit on a Rock” was developed and written by music instructor Andrew…
Real-world experience is the best kind of experience students can get when learning about a profession. The OTC’s Electronic Media Production program is trying to bring some of that reality to its students. A major makeover of EMP’s TV production studio is scheduled to take place with the addition of a professional news studio set…
When Tom Stage looks at a pile of scrap metal, he doesn’t see it heading to some recycling site. He sees it taking shape as a piece of art. Stage, who teaches welding at OTC, has been dabbling in metal art for many years, sharing his work with family and friends. Now, he’s branching out…
The demand for robotic programs has been on the rise since the first programmable digital robot was brought to life in the 1950s. At OTC, the study of robots is approached from several aspects, making use for both the ominous-looking robotic arms and the building and programming of machines that come in a kit and…
At first glance, the trio of oversized TV screens, an oversized operator’s seat and authentic mobile ambulance may all look like some elaborate video game setup. But what the system actually is used for is serious business, teaching emergency personnel and law enforcement officers the ins and outs of defensive driving in a safe way.…
To some, they may appear to be lifeless imitations of human beings made of hard plastic and stuffed with wires and electronics. But to Michelle Howard, director of OTC’s Simulation Center, the electronically elaborate manikins represent the cutting edge in medical training that will eventually save lives. These manikins mimic a myriad of medical conditions…
Matt Duzan has two classrooms he works in as an instructor at the OTC Richwood Valley Campus. The first one is filled with traditional desks, chairs, lab equipment and wall cabinets. The second has a bubbling creek running through it, a canopy of lush trees and blue skies serving as the ceiling, and a wide…
As the new president of Missouri Community College Association’s board of directors, Joan Barrett wants to continue to help advocate for the state’s two-year colleges any way she can. “I have served the organization for the past two years and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my community college colleagues across the state and have…
Kevin Renick calls it a “cosmic coincidence” when the St. Louis songwriter refers to the tremendous break he got when he wrote a song entitled “Up in the Air.” “I was handed a music career,” said Renick, who spoke to several music and songwriting classes and the general public at OTC recently. Renick told students…
Two OTC students were presented with the Missouri Community College’s Student Leadership Award last week during the MCCA convention in Kansas City. Fran Ferguson and Christina Polosky earned the awards based both on their grade point average and their outstanding leadership qualities throughout their time at OTC. Both are members of Phi Theta Kappa. MCCA’s…
Maricia Zaharuk is a long way from her native country of Romania but the 32-year-old feels very comfortable in her new location in Springfield and at OTC. “I feel like I was born here. Here is where I belong. I like it here,” Zaharuk said. Not only is Zaharuk trading countries but careers, too. The…
Shelby Ammerman learned a big lesson after being featured in a News-Leader series of stories about poverty and its impact on local residents. “Family means a lot, especially when you’re struggling,” said the OTC freshman. Ammerman, along with her mother and younger sister, was profiled in the newspaper project that went into detail…
Until last week, Jeff Jochems had never stepped foot outside the U.S. But now, the president of the OTC Richwood Valley campus can show a passport stamped with the country Brazil in it after spending a week in the South American country on a weeklong education mission representing the state’s community colleges. “Brazil…
Cooking to please the family can be a tough task, but cooking to please the palates of thousands of students, faculty and staff can be next to impossible. But Nora McAmis-Payne, food service manager at OTC, has faced the challenge head-on with positive results. McAmis-Payne, who came to OTC last year after six years of…
Becky Crocker’s work in Haiti has earned her a trip to Vienna, Austria. Crocker, director of the Ozarks Technical Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, will co-present a poster to the Third European Congress on Physiotherapy Education next month. Crocker has made two trips to the Caribbean country that was devastated by an…
Artist copes with speech impediment
Student grew up watching her grandfather work on cars.
Chris Davis could win sound editing award
The start of the fall semester at OTC also means the start of new art exhibits at the OTC Fine Arts Galley in the Gillioz Theater. This Friday, the new season kicks off on the third floor of the Gillioz with works from Melissa Szymanski, who was the Best of Show artist at the 2011…
At first glance, it’s hard to imagine that the remains of the gleaming white vehicle could be good for anything. But thanks to some talented OTC students, working in partnership with Mercy Hospital, the new Mercy Orthopedic Hospital being constructed at U.S. 65 and Evans Road now has a unique new piece of rehabilitation equipment.…
Dr. Sherry Taylor moves into position head by Dr. Steve Bishop
It may just be a flower made out of duct tape to some but to Victoria Johnson, it symbolizes much more. Johnson, who just graduated from OTC after taking classes at the Waynesville Center, has been selling her handmade duct tape items for about a year. The money she makes for the sale of her…
Dylan Durrington can’t wait for next year’s SkilsUSA competition when the OTC student wants a chance to defend the gold medal he received a few weeks ago at the national competition. “I cannot wait to compete again next year. It’s one of those things that I will be doing again,” he said. Durrington and 11…
The new hybrid courses being offering at the OTC-Richwood Valley campus came at just the right time for Christina Polosky of Springfield. Polosky, who is studying to become a teacher, was looking for a more convenient way to take a number of education courses and not spend too many long days at Richwood Valley, her…
With four years of unemployment between them, Ron Vazquez and Mohamed Issolah were desperate for work when they turned to the Missouri Career Center for help. And now, thanks to the customized aluminum-welding program offered at OTC, the two will soon be earning a living with Polar Tank Trailer LLC in Springfield. “It’s going well…