OTC Foundation celebrates conclusion of Capital Campaign after raising more than $14 million

The OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of Ozarks Technical Community College, has officially concluded its first-ever Major Gifts Capital Campaign, which raised a total of $14,409,713 in private giving for scholarships, student support programs, the Center for Health Education and the Center for Workforce Development.  A Victory Celebration was held Friday, February 24, in the Jared Family Atrium in the Information Commons, located at the OTC Springfield Campus.

The grand total raised by the Capital Campaign, which includes several in-kind gifts such as the two buildings that have become the OTC Lebanon Center, is approximately $4.4 million more than the original goal of $10 million.

“Continued private funding allows us to make a difference in students’ lives, and to provide the educational opportunities necessary for them to compete in today’s workforce,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “Private funding has never been more important to the College, as we continue to work to meet the needs of our students and our community while being well below the state average for community college funding.” 

“While the Capital Campaign is concluding, we continue to reach out to the community for support,” explained Cliff Davis, vice chancellor for Advancement | Workforce Development and executive director of the OTC Foundation.  “We have just scratched the surface of the needs of the College and of our students, and it is important that we continue to focus on finding additional financial resources.”

Neal Spencer, CEO of BKD, LLP, and president of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors, added, “It has been remarkable to see the way organizations, community leaders, and private citizens throughout the region have stepped up to support the College during this Campaign.  I am grateful to the past presidents of the OTC Foundation Board; without their leadership, we would not have experienced the strong momentum that we had from the beginning of this effort.”

“The Robert W. Plaster Foundation is pleased to have taken an active role in assisting OTC as it continues its exemplary growth and performance,” said Stephen R. Plaster, Trustee of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation and OTC Foundation Board Member.  “OTC is a wonderful asset to the community and the state, and we are proud to be a part of that.”

The OTC Foundation, now in its 14th year of operation, works to meet the ever-increasing needs of Ozarks Technical Community College through the funding of scholarships, new programs, and capital improvement projects.