Commencement, other ceremonies set for next week

Next week marks hectic but happy times at Ozarks Technical Community College.

 It’s a busy time at OTC with five graduation ceremonies taking place in four days involving nearly 2,000 students. It all starts with Thursday night’s commencement exercise at JQH Arena and ends Sunday, May 16, with the graduation of students from the Middle College program.

It’s also a very happy time knowing that the graduates who are moving on to jobs or to further their education will be a permanent part of the OTC family.

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing students graduate. It not only marks their successful accomplishments here but also marks the start of a next chapter in their lives and an important component in the economic vitality of our area,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College.
 
“Everyone has played a part in these graduations, from the taxpayer to the parent. We should all be proud of what the students have done and congratulate them.”

• Thursday’s commencement begins at 6 p.m. The guest speaker will be Paul Sundy, a local business entrepreneur who graduated in 2001 from OTC.

Terry E. Mullins will be among those who will receive their degree next week. Terry, who was a mechanic and welder for 20 years, survived a horrible traffic accident 10 years ago.

The single father overcame the injuries suffered in the accident, came to OTC and will receive his associate’s degree next week. He plans to continue his work toward a four-year degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• The pinning of new registered nurses from this year’s class of ASN graduates will be held Friday, May 14 at the Gillioz Theater at 6 p.m.

• Two GED ceremonies will be held Sunday, May 16 at the Gillioz at 1 and 3 p.m.

• The first graduation of OTC Middle College program will be at 6 p.m. after the GED ceremonies. A total of 20 students will graduate; 17 plan to go to college.

The Middle College, the only one of its kind in the state, was created to help with Springfield R-12 school district’s high-school dropout rate and targets underachieving students who have the potential to excel. This program gives the students an opportunity to prepare themselves for a post-graduation life.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.