The OTC Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the historic Gillioz Theatre complex in downtown Springfield, will hold an opening reception during the First Friday ArtWalk event on Friday, February 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  This month's exhibition features artwork from British-born photojournalist Bruce Stidham.  Refreshments will be provided.

Collected under the title "The American West," Stidham drove 15,000 miles across the western United States in order to complete his latest series of landscapes.  Photographs from several well-known national and state parks are featured in the exhibition.

Stidham is a native of Bolton, England; he received his photographic training at Blackburn College in Lancashire, England.  He has worked for numerous news agencies and had a three-season stint as an English Premier League soccer photographer.  He went on to do freelance work in the United Kingdom for Nike, British Airways, and many other companies and media outlets.  Also a graduate of Evangel University, Stidham now spends the majority of his time in the Springfield area, but frequently travels abroad.  In 2006 he formed STIDZ Media; for further information about STIDZ Media, visit www.stidzmedia.com.

This exhibition will be on display at the OTC Fine Arts Gallery throughout the month of February.  The Gallery's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.  For more information contact Kat Allie by calling (417) 447-8977, or by emailing alliek@otc.edu or finearts@otc.edu.

... Representatives from the college and the OTC Foundation met with officials from Hamilton Medical and St. John's Hospital to receive a gift of a Hamilton G5 Ventilator, valued at a list price of $55,320, from Hamilton Medical, Inc.  The ventilator, which is the same equipment now in use at St. John's Hospital, will be used to train students in OTC's Respiratory Therapy program.  St. John's recently purchased 22 of the ventilator systems; the gift to the college was arranged as part of the transaction.  Pictured, left to right: Dr. Hal Higdon, president of OTC; Brent Kenney, Trainer, St. John's Respiratory Care; Doug Pursley, OTC Respiratory Therapy program director; Craig Berg, Hamilton Medical national sales manager; Bill Lamb, Hamilton Medical account manager; Aaron Light, director of clinical education for OTC's Respiratory Therapy program; Cliff Davis, OTC vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the OTC Foundation; Dr. Steven Bishop, dean of Allied Health at OTC; Jim Pattinson, director, St. John's Respiratory Care.

... Officials from OTC and the University of Illinois at Springfield finalized a new transfer agreement between OTC Online and UIS.  A signing ceremony was held this morning at OTC's Springfield campus on Friday, December 10.  The agreement is designed to provide a seamless transfer for qualified OTC students into online programs at UIS.  Pictured, left to right: Dr. Harry Berman, UIS chancellor, and Dr. Higdon. 

... Students from COM 125, Introduction to Debate, participated in a Final Debate in the IC Atrium on Wednesday, December 8.  The subject of the debate was whether or not the United States should provide a Universal Health Care option, a subject which drew a significant crowd of observers.  The students debated before a panel of judges, who rated the students based on skills learned in the class, including research, reasoning, argumentation. 

Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less.
I serve as a full-time instructor in the mathematics department.  I teach a mixture of face-to-face and online courses.

How long have you been at OTC, and where were you immediately prior? 

This is my fifth year at OTC.  Prior to this position, I served as a high school mathematics teacher and dual-credit instructor at Clever R-V High School.

What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year?

I'm hoping to participate in the new math departmental redesign of our developmental education classes.  I want to continue finding/developing resources that will enhance our online statistics courses.

What is your favorite thing about working at OTC? 

My colleagues are a fantastic group of people to work with each day, and it's exciting to be able to (hopefully) impact so many students' lives each day in the classroom!  I thoroughly enjoy my job!

What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks?

I enjoy interacting with my neighbors, colleagues, etc. in this area.  Generally speaking, people seem very friendly, neighborly, and "down-to-earth."  It just feels like home.

Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice. 

Professionally, two individuals really stand out-my high school math teacher (Bruce Hockema) and a math professor at SBU (Dr. Kevin Hopkins).  Both men were passionate about math, education, and helping other people accomplish their goals.  Additionally, they were men of integrity and Godly character, and they served as role models for how to live a life well-lived.

What do you have on the walls of your office?

(Including my desk)...pictures of my wife (Kelly) and me, a picture of Abraham Lincoln, and a couple of framed jigsaw puzzles.   (I'm always looking for a really BIG puzzle to work...2000+.)

If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be?

Jesus Christ (my Lord and Savior), Abraham Lincoln (I really enjoy learning about that time period), and my grandpas when they were my age (they lived fascinating lives and lived during incredible time periods).
 

If you were to write a book, what would it be about?

One or two ideas I'd like to research... First, how to effectively communicate mathematical understanding with and without technology.  Second, I'd like to research a book on Christian apologetics emphasizing transcendental arguments.

What were the last three songs played on your iPod (or what was the last music you listened to)?

Can't remember... here's three songs I'd like to listen to... "Until the Whole World Hears" (Casting Crowns), "The Moldeau" (Smetana), and "Glorious Day" (Casting Crowns).
 

• Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations for the second annual Distinguished Alumni Award.  This award honors alumni who have distinguished themselves through their career accomplishments and/or service to the community.  Upon recommendation from the nominations committee, top candidates will be presented to the Dr. Higdon for final consideration.  Submit your nominations now!

• OTC technical education students will be competing in SkillsUSA district contests during the months of February and March.  District contests will be held on the OTC campus on Friday, February 11; competitions include Collision Repair, Advertising Design, Health Knowledge Bowl, Television Production, Video Product Development, Preschool Teaching Assistant, Welding,  and SkillsUSA technical written tests.  Winners of the district contests will be eligible to compete in the state contests, to be held March 31 through April 2 at Linn State Technical College.  For additional information, contact Don Reeves (ext 8139) at reevesd@otc.edu or Annette Warren (ext 8125) at warrena@otc.edu.

• As winter weather approaches once again, please remember to sign up for OTC's Text Message Alert System.  This is one of several ways the College communicates with students and employees about emergencies, inclement weather situations, and school closings.  You may need to sign up even if you have done so in the past as the system deletes old numbers every year.  Sign up by clicking the "College Alerts" button on the OTC website.  The instructions for signing up to receive text message alerts are at the bottom of the page.  

• The OTC Health & Wellness Center has a small supply of Flu vaccines available to any OTC employee, student or dependent at our cost of $15 per vaccination.  The vaccine is preservative free and contains the vaccine for H1N1 along with the most prevalent two seasonal flu viruses, all in one shot.  The vaccine is safe for anyone 6 months or older.  The clinic is open from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Call (417) 866-3133 for an appointment, or drop in to Lincoln Hall Suite 208.
   

• Now - February 15: Wild Cave Tour Special, Smallin Civil War Cave, Ozark.  The historic and breathtaking Smallin Cave will be waiving the equipment rental fee for its off-trail Wild Tours!  Join us on an adventurous trip beyond the walkways, observe endangered cave life, and enjoy the cave's year-round 58 degree temperature.  For more information on Wild or standard tours, call (417) 551-4545, or visit www.SmallinCave.com.

• Now - February 13: Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Landers Theatre, downtown Springfield.  Presented by the Springfield Little Theatre, this tale of adventure and self-discovery is an American classic that captures the rhythms, sounds, and spirit of life on the big river.  For show times and ticket information, visit www.springfieldlittletheatre.org or call (417) 869-1334.

• February 1 - March 31: Spring Fishing Classic, Bass Pro Shops.  Celebrate this annual event with fishing enthusiasts of all ages.  There will be huge savings on fishing merchandise, seminars hosted by professional anglers, and much more.  Call (417) 887-7334 or see www.basspro.com for details.

• February 10: Science Behind Presents The Cupid Connection: Can Food Affect Your Mood?, Discovery Center, downtown Springfield.  Celebrate Valentine's Day Discovery Center style!  Find out how food affects your mood:  which foods are considered enticing, comforting, soothing, and quenching?  Taste samples provided by Parlor 88 and Fedora.  Space is limited, so call (417) 862-9910 to register now.

• February 11-12: Beauty and the Beast, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.  Disney's Beauty and the Beast is a Broadway musical for all generations.  Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, it's filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers.  Call (417) 836-7678 or visit www.hammonshall.com to reserve your seat.

• February 11 - March 5: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Vandivort Center Theatre, downtown Springfield.  We're off to the Riviera in this hilarious musical about two con men making a winner-take-all wager over the fortune of an American soap heiress: first one to "clean her out" can make the other clear out and keep the Riviera's rich tourists to himself!  For show times and ticket information, call (417) 831-8001.

• February 18-19: 30th Annual Sertoma Chili Cook-Off, Springfield Expo Center.  About 80 ten-member teams will start brewing up their favorite (and secret!) chili recipes at 5 a.m., preparing for the arrival of several thousand foodies at 11.  Everyone receives a sampling cup and spoon to try them all!  Nine local bands will perform on two stages throughout the event, which also includes a chili eating contest, a silent auction, and an awards ceremony.  For details, call (417) 863-1231 or visit www.sertomachilicookoff.com.

• February 18-20: Annual Lawn and Garden Show, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E*Plex.  Over 100 exhibitors offer one-stop shopping for all your lawn and garden needs: trees, seeds, grills, outdoor kitchens, lawn equipment, pools, patio furniture, fencing, landscaping, and lawn care services, plus much more!  For event hours and admission prices, check out www.ozarkempirefair.com or call (417) 833-2660.