Veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life can find the process challenging and attending college just adds to that pressure. More than 1,000 veterans are enrolled at OTC and a new Veterans Lounge has opened on the OTC Springfield Campus, which has been called a “safe haven” for veterans. “The lounge gives veterans a…
OTC Program Director Doug Pursley was selected as a Fellow of the AARC by the American Association for Respiratory Care. The award was established in 1998 to recognize individuals who made a profound and lasting contribution to the profession of respiratory care and the AARC. The 2014 Fellows were formally inducted during the AARC’s 60th…
Shayne Jacobian is a perfect example of the OTC slogan of “Start Here, Go Anywhere” and could put his talents to work adding a tune to the college’s catchy phrase. An accomplished musician, Shayne graduated from OTC in 2012 and is now in Nashville attending Belmont University, studying English and music business. Shayne dreamt of…
Ozarks Technical Community College honored Neal Spencer, former national growth partner and CEO of BKD, LLP, with the naming of the Neal Spencer Student Lounge in a ceremony today, Friday, Jan. 23. The event was held in the newly renovated lounge, located on the second floor of the OTC Springfield Campus in the Information Commons…
Here’s a pop quiz. What’s the name of the OTC mascot (yes, there is one) and what other mascots were considered? The answer: OTC’s mascot is the eagle. The other nominees were rhinoceros and porpoise because, as the staff member reportedly recommended, the ocean-looking mascot would allow the college to boast: “OTC offers an education…
The OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of Ozarks Technical Community College, received a donation of 7.69 acres of land in Republic, Mo. This seven-figure, in-kind gift was made possible by one of the Lester E. Cox companies consisting of the Bussey, Cox and Lipscomb families. Larry Lipscomb, family representative, said. “We believe in OTC’s mission…
There are thousands of OTC alum and former faculty and staff who can say, “been there, done that” when it comes to either studying or working at the college. But as OTC marks 2015 as the 25th anniversary that voters created the college district, Susan Siemens stands alone. Siemens is the only person on staff…
Ozarks Technical Community College will be open on Saturday, Jan. 10 to assist students with last-minute admissions, enrollment and financial aid processes. Classes for the spring 2015 semester begin Monday, Jan. 12. OTC campuses and centers will open on Saturday, Jan. 10 during the following hours: OTC Springfield Campus – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.…
The OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of Ozarks Technical Community College, has agreed to provide up to $25,000 to help defray the potential A+ scholarship shortfall announced by the Missouri Department of Higher Education in December 2014. A limited number of scholarships, which will cover the one credit hour shortfall, are now available to OTC…
Wade Southwell had an exciting and educational 2014 and the new year looks to have as much or more to offer the OTC student. Southwell is a recipient of an $18,000 Boren Scholarship in 2014 and is believed to be the first student from southwest Missouri to receive such an award. He has been studying…
At first glance, one would never mistake Vivian Elder for someone who enjoys the rough and tumble sport of hockey. But Elder, OTC’s dean of academic services and a former ballerina, is addicted to the sport that she just started playing 10 years ago. Today, she is a league player and has shared the ice…
It was many Christmases ago that a young Harlow Sanders awoke to fine an authentic drum set sitting in the corner of the family’s home. “There had been an endless succession of toy drums and then one Christmas there was a real set. When I touched it, I realized it wasn’t a toy drum. That…
Chris Lehew lost his ability to hear when he contracted spinal meningitis when he was 16 months old. Today, as a facilities worker at the OTC Springfield Campus, Lehew is at peace with not having the ability to hear at all or verbalize very much. “‘I’m proud of who I am. I don’t see any…
OTC students have game. Students from the Lebanon and Waynesville centers have formed intramural basketball teams that square off in weekend games. The idea for the league came from two students, Blaire Wade at the Lebanon Center and Marcus Gamble at the Waynesville Center. “Marcus contacted the Student Government Association in Lebanon and asked if we…
Ozarks Technical Community College’s Landon Vinson has said that the Industrial Maintenance Technology degree could be referred to as the “unknown degree,” but OTC’s full-time IMT instructor is letting anyone who will listen know about its profitable advantages. “There’s going to be a huge demand for these graduates in the workforce,” said Vinson. “Big companies…
At-risk youth may not see attending college as an option. But a groundbreaking program initiated at OTC and several of the area’s four-year colleges gives the students a chance to improve their educational lives by giving them and their case workers specific names, faces and contact information of advisors at the colleges who can assist…
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, thoughts turn to food, family and festive occasions. This week, food will be on the minds of faculty, staff and students at OTC as the college takes part in National Hunger Awareness Week, collecting items to donate to area food panties. From there, the food will be donated to those…
OTC Middle College and Big Brothers Big Sisters have partnered to create a pilot mentoring program that pairs students with career professionals. In the program, the mentor meets with the mentee on a monthly basis to help guide the student on a path for success in school and in their future career. Both the Middle…
Distance learning means just that learning at a distance. So, this years celebration of National Distance Learning Week Nov. 10-14, will be offered with a twist. The entire showcase will be available online for the first time for anyone to see anywhere in world. OTC will host the 2014 Innovation Showcase in collaboration with Missouri…
UMB Bank will renew the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship at Ozarks Technical Community College for the spring 2015 semester. UMB Bank funded the scholarship in the fall 2014 semester to assist students pursuing a degree in drafting and design technology, machine tool technology or welding. “It’s our goal to encourage young people’s enthusiasm for…
Ozarks Technical Community College will host a system-wide food drive beginning Monday, Nov. 17 through Friday, Nov. 21. The food drive will coincide with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Students are encouraged to bring nonperishable, in-date foods to donation boxes located at each OTC campus or center (glass containers will not be accepted). The…
The Fine Arts department of Ozarks Technical Community College will present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Gillioz Theater Nov. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free for OTC students, faculty and staff who pick up tickets in advance from the Help Desk located…
The Weller Neighborhood Association will dedicate a bench to commemorate the 1949 Lincoln High School graduating class on Friday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. The dedication will take place on the campus of Ozarks Technical Community College at the southwest corner of Central Street and Sherman Avenue. The former Lincoln High School, which was attended…
Ozarks Technical Community College invites residents of the greater Table Rock Lake area to meet Cliff Davis, the new president of the OTC Table Rock Campus. The college will host a “Meet the President” event at the Table Rock campus on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 4:30-6 p.m. The OTC Table Rock Campus opened its doors…
Three students from Ozarks Technical Community College were recognized at the Missouri Community College Association’s 50th annual convention. MCCA presented Student Leadership Awards to 21 state-wide community college students during the convention’s closing ceremony, which was held Friday, Nov. 7 at the Branson Hilton Convention Center. Each year, representatives from MCCA-affiliated colleges and campuses across…