Faculty and Staff,
The employee newsletter is now sent out on the first of each month. The deadline will continue to be one week prior, so be sure to mark your calendars if you have news you would like us to include.
Send your submissions to either of the following email addresses, and we'll get the word out! The deadline for the December Newsletter is Wednesday, November 24.
clips@otc.edu
logsdond@otc.edu
|
|
Volunteers Needed to Deck the Halls
OTC's annual holiday decorating event to be held Nov. 18
 It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to prepare for the holidays, time to celebrate with loved ones, and time to decorate OTC for the season! The Deck the Halls event will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, and your help is needed.
To sign up to join the fun, contact Kristin Farish at 447-2654 or farishk@otc.edu, or Karen Creighton at 447-2601 or creightk@otc.edu. Please sign up by Wednesday, November 10.
|
|
Area Students Receive Free Dental Work
Dental Hygiene students get hands-on practice
 Approximately 60 students from Logan-Rogersville public schools visited OTC on Tuesday, October 26, to receive free dental work as part of the College's Fall Sealant Day. The dental work took place throughout the day in the College's dental labs, located in Lincoln Hall on the Springfield campus.
Held twice a year, the Sealant Day events provide an opportunity for the College's dental hygiene students to gain hands-on experience, while also allowing area elementary, middle and high school students to receive free, quality dental care. The work done in the labs will include oral exams, dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants and x-rays as needed.
OTC's Dental Hygiene program has held the Sealant Day event once per semester since 2003. For more information on this event, contact Marge Bell, Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator, at (417) 447-8836 or bellmm@otc.edu.
|
|
Seen at OTC....
What's happened around the College this month
 ... Students had an opportunity to learn more about their choices for transferring from OTC to a four-year institution during the recent Transfer Fair, held in the IC Atrium on the Springfield campus. Representatives from colleges and universities throughout the region were available to answer questions, discuss program options, and to provide important information to all students.
 ... Dozens of children from the Early Childhood Education Center toured the Springfield campus in their trick-or-treating costumes during the Center's annual Harvest Parade. The parade included stops in several of the campus' buildings for candy and photo opportunities. Employees and students enjoyed the show, while the kids enjoyed the attention!
Pictured: Macklen Johnson, son of Jeff Johnson, Coordinator of Videography and Video Editing.
|
|
The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Kip Thompson, Lead Instructor - Biology and Environmental Science
 Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less. I teach Biology and Environmental Science for OTC. I am also the Lead Instructor for the transfer biology courses. As Lead Instructor I prepare syllabi, prep labs, and order lab supplies for all BIO courses. I also mentor adjunct instructors in these classes.
How long have you been at OTC, and where were you immediately prior? I am starting my 11th year as a full time instructor at OTC. Prior to coming to OTC I was employed by the Springfield R-12 School District.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year? As always, my number one priority is to ensure my students are ready for the next challenge, whatever that might be. Hopefully, they become a little more interested in the biological sciences and decide to pursue a career that is at least related to biology. At a minimum, hopefully they are more literate in science.
What is your favorite thing about working at OTC? My favorite thing has to be the people. The faculty and staff at OTC really seem to get along well and be motivated by a common goal, the success of our students. Having taught at other universities, I know that students and student success doesn't always come first. I like teaching so I'm glad I'm at an institution that values teaching and learning.
What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks? I have lived out of state (and even out of the country for a year) and the thing that always brings me back to the Ozarks are the people and the environment. I don't think I realized how nice it is to live here until I was gone. We tend to take all of the space and access to public lands for granted. Get out and enjoy the Ozarks, a lot of people wish they lived in an area like this!
Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice. Call me a mama's boy but my mom (and my dad) always pushed me to be better than them. They instilled in me early a desire to learn and grow. That is a good thing since I probably wasn't going to make it as an athlete!
What do you have on the walls of your office? I have posters of fish (the one true important animal) and a picture of my friends while I was deployed with the Army.
If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be? Alfred Wallace, Benjamin Franklin, and Teddy Roosevelt.
If you were to write a book, what would it be about? Vampires, zombies and magic. Oh wait, that has already been done (ad nauseam). I would really like to write a book about all of the funny comments students and faculty have made over the years. Move over Dave Barry.
What were the last three songs played on your iPod (or what was the last music you listened to)? This is going to be a very eclectic mix but here they are: "You've Got Another Thing Coming," by Judas Priest, "No Bravery," by James Blunt, and "The Girl From Impanema," by Vince Guaraldi.
|
|
Campus Notes
- El Club de Espanol will now hold its Tamale Sales on the first Tuesday of each month. The next sale will be in the IC Atrium on Tuesday, November 2. Contact club sponsor Elena Blackmon at blackmom@otc.edu to place pre-orders.
- A note to the OTC family from Pam Vokolek, Director of Development: "Thank you so much for thinking of our familiy as we go through this difficult time with the loss of our mother. The plant was beautiful and your kindness will be forever remembered."
|
Local Happenings
- November 5: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, JQH Arena, Springfield. One of the top-selling acts in the world create one of the most captivating concert experiences on the road today. Trans-Siberian Orchestra puts on an over-the-top audio/visual spectacular complete with lasers, pyrotechnics, and state-of-the-art lighting! Tickets start at $25; call 836-7878 or check out www.missouristate.edu for more information.
- November 13-14: Miss Missouri USA and Miss Missouri Teen USA Competitions, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, Springfield. Contestants from across the state will compete for the titles and the chance to participate in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions. For more information, call 836-7678 or see www.hammonshall.com.
- November 19: Missouri State University International Center's Open House, Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing Education, 301 S. Jefferson, Springfield. MSU's International Center is opening its doors for a "Tour of the Globe," where MSU international students will host rooms representing different cultural aspects of their home countries. Admission is free; call 836-6618 or check out international.missouristate.edu for more information.
- November 20: OTC SIFE Holiday Bazaar, Springfield campus. OTC's SIFE organization hosts its annual bazaar, featuring hand-made craft items, holiday items and more! Concessions will be available. Net proceeds go toward area charities. For details, call 447-8981 or see www.sife.org.
- November 25: 16th Annual Turkey Trot, Springfield Expo Center, 635 E. St. Louis Street. The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is one of the largest 5K races in the state, and is the largest annual race in the Springfield metro area. Awards will be presented to the overall winners, with the top three racers in each age group also receiving prizes. For details, call 831-1545 or see www.dcoonline.com.
|
|
Birthdays
Nov 3 - Ted Collier
Nov 4 - Dana Burpo
Cindy Hinds
Kay Murnan
Nov 5 - Joel Doepker
Kitty Estabrook
Sandra Lewis
Pete Rothrock
Kim Sutton
Nov 6 - Kristina Bridges-
Templeton
Lisa Mitchell
Nov 8 - Gail Garton
Allen Lieske
Nov 9 - Lawrence Lininger
Nov 10 - Robert Clark
Sherry Coker
Nov 12 - Kimberly Whalen
Nov 13 - Andrew Aberle
Lisa Roberson
Nov 14 - Michelle Howard
Nov 15 - Charnell Allan
David Fotopulos
William Stage
Nov 16 - Joyce Thomas
Nov 19 - Peter Edwards
Chelsey Wright
Nov 21 - Lacey Mattheis
Russell Wydeen
Nov 22 - Barrie Talbott
Nov 23 - Mindy Gomez
Nov 24 - Christopher Cole
Jennifer Hartman
Ellen Newby-Hines
Nov 26 - Holly Heuermann
Diana Hopkins
Diana Penrose
Nov 27 - Amanda Walker
Katherine Webb
Nov 28 - Amanda Stone
Nov 29 - Ethan Hart
|
|
