OTC to hold dedication ceremony for Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center

Ozarks Technical Community College will recognize the late David Lewis with a ceremony to officially dedicate the Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29.  Lewis gifted $1 million for student scholarships to the OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of the College, through inclusion in his will.  The dedication ceremony will be held at the Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center, located on Hampton Street just north of Central Street on the OTC Springfield Campus.  The public is invited to attend.

The event will also include recognition of the OTC students who have benefitted from the scholarship fund established by Lewis’ gift.  The scholarships are designed to primarily assist students from Lewis’ home communities of Taney and Stone County who are pursing their education in the College’s business and technical programs.

“Mr. Lewis’ generosity will impact the education and future of generations of OTC students,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of the College. “We are grateful for his desire to give back to his community, and for the foresight he showed in including OTC in his will.”

Originally from Rockaway Beach, Mo., Lewis earned his wealth by working at Sears in Springfield for nearly 40 years, living a frugal lifestyle, and investing wisely.  He had no dependents and wanted to make sure his legacy could help others.  At the time it was received, Mr. Lewis’ gift was the largest in Ozarks Technical Community College’s history.

“Mr. Lewis was a hard-working man who believed in the value of education,” added Cliff Davis, vice chancellor for Advancement | Student Affairs | Workforce Development and executive director of the OTC Foundation.  “The scholarships created by his gift will help to make an education possible for students at OTC for years to come.”

The OTC Foundation, now in its 17th 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.