Springfield business icon Carol Jones has presented the OTC Foundation with two gifts totaling $500,000.  The first $250,000 of the donation will fund scholarships for disadvantaged women, and the second $250,000 will be used to support the newly named Carol Jones Writing Center.  The writing center is a valuable resource for students who need extra help with any part of the writing process.

Jones visited the Springfield campus for the official placement of a plaque in her honor in the Carol Jones Writing Center.  While there, Jones had an opportunity to talk with several of the students who have been helped in their pursuits at the College by the tutors and resources in the writing center. 

Carol Jones has been a leader in the local real estate business since 1967.  In 1983, she founded Carol Jones Realtors, and soon developed the company into a respected market leader offering more than 400 agents.  Jones retired in late 2008, but remains active in the community through her involvement with the Carol Jones Recovery Center for Women, a drug and alcohol treatment center.  Ms. Jones is a founding OTC Foundation board member and has received numerous honors, including Missourian of the Year and the 2009 OTC Excellence in Business Award.

Pictured:  Dr. Higdon and Carol Jones with the new plaque in the Carol Jones Writing Center.

OTC and University of Maryland University College have finalized a new transfer agreement between OTC Online and UMUC.  The agreement is designed to provide a seamless transfer for qualified OTC students into UMUC. 

Students in both the OTC Online programs and traditional seated classes may be eligible for the transfer.

"UMUC is an international leader in online instruction, and we are pleased to have this new opportunity for our students," said Dr. Higdon.  "Though it is certain that a wide variety of students will take advantage of this agreement, it will be particularly beneficial to our students who are in the military."

OTC Online enrollment is up more than 15 percent this fall, with 2,327 students taking the majority of their classes online.  However, a total of 4,104 students are taking at least one online class.

Pictured:  Dr. Higdon and Dr. Susan Aldridge, president of UMUC, sign the agreement documents.

The annual MCCA conference, held in November in St. Louis, featured the involvement of OTC faculty and staff in a variety of ways.  This year, OTC had Senior Faculty Service award, Distinguished Legislator award, and Student Leadership award recipients, plus several employees who were elected to Association offices, multiple breakout session leaders, event media management by our Media Services staff, and lucky winners in the games and prize drawings.

Transportation Department Chair and Collision Repair Technology Instructor Kerry Wrinkle was honored with a 2010 Senior Faculty Service award during the conference.  Wrinkle joined OTC just before its very first fall semester, in August of 1991.  Throughout his time at OTC, he has continued to demonstrate his commitment to the quality training and career preparation of his students.  Pictured:  Kerry Wrinkle receives his award from Greg Walker, trustee of Moberly Area Community College.

Lisa Hearn and Becky McCormack were among several OTC employees to lead breakout sessions this year.  Their session was entitled "Point, Click, Route: Processing with Document Imaging," and provided excellent information for anyone considering the use of document imaging services.  Pictured:  Lisa Hearn, Assistant Coordinator for Financial Aid, discusses the reasons for using document imaging.

Missouri State Representative Sara Lampe received one of the 2010 Distinguished Legislator awards, presented during the closing session of this year's conference.  Rep. Lampe has been a long-time supporter of education in general, and of OTC specifically.  Pictured:  Rep. Sara Lampe with Dr. Higdon and Zora Mulligan, Executive Director of MCCA.

As always, the event also provided some great opportunities for co-workers to spend time together outside of the office.  See you all there next year!  Pictured:  Members of the Information Technology team at the Friday evening banquet.

Through a special arrangement with the North Pole and the OTC & Friends Relay For Life Team, Santa Claus will call children in the Ozarks during this holiday season.  For a $5 donation, Santa will call your child or grandchild and talk about his or her wish list, pets, hobbies, and the "naughty/nice" list, or send a letter to your child.

Come by the Information Desk in the Atrium anytime after December 1 and pick up a special form.  For both a phone call and a letter, the donation is $10.  Santa is very busy this time of year, so you must turn in the completed form and donation by December 10.

For information, contact Elf Tina by emailing tkile5401@gmail.com or calling 827-3165, or Elf Faith by emailing mannf@otc.edu or calling 447-8949.

• The annual Holiday Celebration and Retiree Reception will be held on Thursday, December 16, at 2 p.m. in the IC Atrium.  The event will begin with the recognition of this year's retirees, and will end with a visit from Santa to the children of the Early Childhood Education Center.  Refreshments will be provided.  For details, contact Karen Creighton at creightk@otc.edu.

• The preliminary schedules for January's Faculty Development Days and February's College Development Day have been released.  Please click here to view the schedules.  For more information, please contact Marcia Wheeler by emailing wheelerm@otc.edu.

• "An Evening of Music," a concert featuring the OTC Choir and Ensemble students, will be held on Tuesday, December 7, at Drury University's Stone Chapel.  The event begins at 7 p.m.; admission is free.  Don't miss what is sure to be an excellent performance!

• Auditions for the OTC Fine Arts Department's spring production of Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN will be held Monday, December 6 and Wednesday, December 8 at the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. Auditioners must prepare an autobiographical monologue - that is, a personal story or reflection - on the subject of "Life," "Death," or "Re-birth." The monologue must be no more than 60 seconds performed.  For details, contact Jon Herbert at herbertj@otc.edu.

• The OTC Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the Gillioz Theatre, will hold an opening reception during First Friday Artwalk, Friday, December 3, from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.  The gallery will be featuring artwork from OTC Fine Art Students, as well as performances from our Music and Theater students.  Additionally, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will be hosting an interactive Storytelling Event.  For more information, contact Kat Allie at alliek@otc.edu.

• The students and employees involved in the OTC trip to China will hold holiday fundraiser sales on three dates in December.  The first two sales will be held on the Springfield campus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. - one on Friday, December 3, in the IC Atrium, and the other on Tuesday, December 7, in the foyer of the Norman K. Myers Center.  The third sale will be held at the Richwood Valley campus on Wednesday, December 8, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.  For more information, contact Jessica Gerard at gerardj@otc.edu.
   

• December 3-4, 10-11: Santa's Reindeer at the Titanic!  Back by popular demand, this free attraction offers parents and kids the opportunity to meet Santa, pet his reindeer, and take photos.  For more information, visit www.titanicbranson.com or call (417) 335-9500.

• December 2-12:  Miracle on 34th Street at the Landers Theatre.  Presented by Springfield Little Theatre, this familiar tale of a kind man who believes himself to be the real Santa Claus will warm the hearts of both children and adults.  For show times and ticket prices, call (417) 869-1334 or visit www.springfieldlittletheatre.org.

• December 3:  Evangel University Annual Christmas Concert.  The Evangel University Music Department presents its annual concert at 7:45 p.m. in the Chapel Auditorium.  KY3 news anchor Steve Grant and Stormteam meteorologist Brandon Beck will serve as hosts.  Admission is any nonperishable food item or donation to benefit the Salvation Army.  For more information, see www.evangel.edu.

• December 11:  Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade.  The Urban Districts Alliance is pleased to present this exciting annual event.  Join thousands of holiday revelers as Christmas comes to town on part of historic Route 66!  For more information, visit www.itsalldowntown.com or call (417) 831-6200.

• December 17-19:  "The Nutcracker" at the Landers Theatre.  Springfield Ballet's annual production of "The Nutcracker" brings to life the magic and wonder of the holiday season!  Audiences of all ages will fall in love again and again with this timeless ballet.  For more, call (417) 862-1343 or see www.springfieldlittletheatre.org.