The picturesque 1.5-mile trail along the OTC Richwood Valley Campus has always been a draw for locals. But now, families and community members have one more reason to frequent the path. Tucked away near the Fremont road entrance to the campus sits a brand-new little library stocked full of books. OTC’s Little Free Library operates…
OTC hosted its second-annual Innovation Celebration on Thursday, April 1. The event, held virtually this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, funded eight different grant initiatives across the OTC System. It also honored employees for their exceptional contributions to the college. “With all the new challenges that arose this past year, we could…
OTC graduate Jared Smith risked it all when he quit his local news media job to move to Los Angeles without the promise of employment. But his professional gamble paid off in a big way. Within months of relocating, the lifelong video game enthusiast landed a job with Riot Games, a world-renown video game developer…
Daniel Holtcamp spent his childhood searching for acceptance and belonging – but he found it in all the wrong places. The Sedalia, Missouri native battled drug addiction and gang affiliations throughout his youth. It wasn’t until he moved to Springfield and enrolled in OTC’s Adult Education and Literacy Program that he found a new path…
A construction class at the OTC Table Rock Campus stepped up this morning to build a ramp for a Reeds Spring man who recently underwent an amputation. Daniel Youngblood will be released from the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Cox Medical Center Branson on Tuesday following the amputation of his lower right leg and the toes…
OTC technical education students brought home 61 medals from the annual Southwest Missouri SkillsUSA District Competition. The event was held Feb. 2-26 at several regional locations, including the OTC Springfield Campus. More than 90 OTC students competed alongside hundreds of technical education students from across the district. Competitors showcased their skills by completing written and…
Heads up, Eagles. Now’s the time to apply for OTC’s 2021 summer and fall scholarships. But, before you get started, we have some need-to-know info and tips to help your application stand out from rest: Choose a scholarship There are two types of scholarships available: OTC Institutional scholarships and OTC Foundation scholarships. Institutional scholarships are provided by…
Gene and Gerry Diullo have created one more way to commemorate the life and legacy of their late son, Anton “Tony” Diullo. The couple recently established an endowed scholarship in his name through the OTC Foundation. The funds will support students in pursuit of a physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree at OTC. “My son was…
Women make up just five percent of the welding workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But a new generation of women welders is working against that trend, including OTC Career Center student, Bethannie Novak. The 17-year-old Fair Grove High School junior says she didn’t set out to pursue a career in a male-dominated…
Commencement is coming up, and OTC is searching for its 2021 student commencement speaker. Is the fear of getting up in front of an audience holding you back from applying? Check out these helpful tips from OTC’s Speech Communication Center as you prepare to submit your video application: Be confident! No matter what you’re speaking…
We recently asked the Eagle community to tell us how they met their spouse, significant other – or even their best friend – at OTC. Here are their heartwarming stories. “My fiancé, Joseph Sanders, and I originally met in high school but reconnected and began dating once we got to OTC. I happened to see…
OTC alumni Paul and Crystal Sundy still debate over who asked the other out at the picnic tables near the Jared Family Atrium. The couple, now married 18 years, met as students in the late ‘90s. “As I remember it, she was stumbling over her words,” Paul said, a hint of playfulness in his voice.…
Many sights and sounds greet visitors to Ozarks Technical Community College’s Lincoln Hall. They might hear power saws humming in the construction lab, watch future nurses take blood pressure or listen to the whir of cleaning tools in the dental clinic. While that describes Lincoln Hall and its purpose today, the building has a rich…
Garrett Moeller packed his resume full of experiences during his time at OTC. Thanks to his involvement with student organization Politically Active, the up-and-coming marketing professional worked two local election campaigns, led numerous voter registration drives, hosted a community election forum and more. “I mean it when I say OTC – all the professional development…
When some of our favorite shows and movies include “Stranger Things,” “You,” Twilight,” and “Love Actually,” behaviors like showing up at someone’s home or watching them from afar are often portrayed as romantic gestures. But in real life, would we consider these behaviors stalking? During Stalking Awareness month, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on how we can better support our…
February 1 marks an important financial aid deadline for Missouri college students. That’s the absolute latest you should file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2021-2022 school year – especially if you want to be considered for any state funding. You’ll need the following information before you get started: Your FSA ID (a parent may…
Congratulations to our Fall 2020 Chancellor’s List, Provost’s List and Dean’s List recipients! Students who complete 12 or more credit hours in a fall or spring semester are eligible for the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List. Recognition is based on the grade point average during that semester. The Dean’s List requires a GPA of 3.5…
The new semester begins Jan. 19, and we’ve compiled our favorite OTC hacks to make your life a little easier in the coming weeks. Keep reading to learn how you can sign up for emergency text alerts, connect with student support services, report COVID-19 concerns and more. 1. Sync your OTC email to your phone.…
The spring semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 19, and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus. To ensure your health and wellness, and that of our faculty and staff, our spring semester will look a lot like the fall. Here’s how you can help keep the OTC community healthy: Wear a mask Everyone –…
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…