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…
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,…
In today’s world full of digital information, e-books and the internet, is there still a reason to visit your college library? The answer is “YES.” We would argue that saying you don’t need a library because you have the internet is like saying you don’t need a math class because you have a calculator. Both of…
Heads up, Eagles. Spring 2021 scholarship applications are open now through Nov. 1. On average, OTC awards more than $900,000 in scholarships to students each year. If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship or two, keep reading for tips on how to navigate the application process. If you’re ready to apply, click here. Choose a…
For most of us, the changes we’ve experienced in the last several months have been difficult to navigate. If you’re looking for healthy ways to cope with our new reality, consider the following tips from OTC Counseling Services: Maintain routines as much as possible. Whether you are returning to the classroom or participating in online learning, try…
The fall semester begins Aug. 24, 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 and more. 1. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest…
It’s been more than 150 days since we were last together on campus, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for the first day of classes. To ensure your health and wellness, and that of our faculty and staff, the fall semester will look a little different this year. Think of our return-to-campus plan…
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Marge Cheesman will be the recipient of Ozarks Technical Community College’s 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Formally presented each year at commencement, the award honors OTC alumni who have distinguished themselves for their career accomplishments and community service. With the college’s 2020 commencement ceremony canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheesman will accept…
Crystal Robinson’s new degree in behavioral health support is the best of both worlds. She’s pursuing her dream career in social services, but entering the workforce two years sooner than she would have with a more traditional degree in the field. The mother of five says her own childhood experiences inspired her to pursue the…
It’s no surprise that men dominate the fire service industry, with the National Fire Protection Association reporting more than 90 percent of firefighters as male. However, a mother/daughter duo from Pleasant Hope, Missouri is working against that trend. Andrea and Karleigh Lane recently completed their certification at OTC. The pair, who both work for the…
Audrey Sly was determined to become a dental hygienist, no matter the setbacks she faced. The young mother of two applied for OTC’s dental hygiene school not once, but twice before landing a spot in the coveted program. She also overcame numerous obstacles to earn her degree, including a devastating house fire and a global…
It’s been hard to plan for the fall semester, but we’re here with news to make it a little easier. The OTC Foundation is extending its fall 2020 scholarship deadline through August 10. That means there’s still time to submit your one-size-fits-all application at this link. In other words, you don’t need to apply for…
Heroes of the COVID-19 outbreak are often portrayed wielding stethoscopes and personal protective equipment. But one OTC graduate fought the virus with a hammer, tools and the latest HVAC technology instead. As the pandemic began its spread across southwest Missouri, Chad Porter – a senior project manager at Trane Technologies – worked with 20 other…
The Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) – a national leader in helping Black and Latino young men navigate college – is moving its headquarters to Springfield, Missouri. The relocation is a point of pride for OTC student and local chapter president Javeon England, who says the change will provide local men of color with more…
Ozarks Technical Community College is offering two new financial aid options for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this fall. These awards are benefits that students do not have to pay back: The OTC Online Class Credit provides three credit hours of tuition and common fees for students who take more than 12 hours of…
OTC alumni Bryce Gott and Shawnee Bullette believe food should be simple, accessible and locally sourced. That’s why they opened a new organic market called Culture Counter in Springfield’s Rountree neighborhood earlier this month. Bryce says his entrepreneurial endeavor will benefit both local farmers and communities alike. “I’d been feeling this push to become a…
The summer semester is officially underway, 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 get Canvas support, online tutoring services and more. Sync your OTC email to your phone. It’s the easiest way for you to keep up…
OTC graduate Igho Ekakitie is now one step closer to fulfilling his dream. The aspiring diplomat received a full-tuition scholarship to attend Webster University in St. Louis this fall. He plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in international relations with an emphasis in human rights. “I want to help people,” he said. “I want to…
Congratulations to our Spring 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…
Dear students, faculty and staff: I am writing to you today with sentiments that I know are widely shared among the OTC community. Recently, we witnessed the horrifying deaths of George Floyd and other Black Americans. As a result, citizens are expressing their frustration, pain and moral outrage through protests across the country. The difficult…
The summer semester begins next week, and the majority of courses will be delivered online. While this form of instruction may be intimidating for some, others love the flexibility it provides. Regardless of your stance, you’ll want to follow these tips to set yourself up for success. Arrange for computer access and reliable internet in…
As Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start of summer, thousands of college students and graduates are looking for work. Whether you’re hunting for seasonal employment or your dream job, you’ll want to stop by OTC’s Career Services before beginning your search. Here are the top three reasons you should pay us a visit: Review…
Respiratory therapists like Emily Dye play a critical role in helping patients fight COVID-19. When the pandemic hit southwest Missouri, Emily was completing her first year on the job at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Her passion for respiratory therapy – and her heart for patient care – is seeing her through the crisis. “The cycle…
The role of “first responder” has a double meaning for OTC student Kyle Heminger. The Forsyth native will soon graduate with not one but two associate degrees in Fire Science and Paramedicine. While that’s a major accomplishment itself, this husband and father of three did it while working full-time as a firefighter for the Ozark…