This year's Community Day event, held April 30 at the Springfield campus, featured something for everyone.  In addition to the annual OTC Car and Motorcycle Show and the popular Welding Day, visitors also found helpful demonstrations and information about a variety of subjects from landscaping to food preparation.  Thank you to all the volunteers, program demonstrators, faculty, staff and students who participated in this year's event!   

Pictured, clockwise from top:  A training tractor and trailer from the Transport Training Institute, donated by The Larson Group, serves as the stage backdrop for the car show awards and some of the event's live music; Welding Instructor Jim Bridwell repairs a bench for a member of the community; The 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air that took home the car show's Grand Prize; Fine Arts Instructor Kat Allie paints faces at the Fine Arts booth; Student Marsha Razo assists Samantha Doepker, daughter of College Director of Communications and Marketing Joel Doepker and Workforce Specialist Business Manager Lynda Doepker, in screen printing a t-shirt.

The OTC Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the historic Gillioz Theatre complex in downtown Springfield, will feature unique artwork from Fine Arts students during the month of May.  An opening reception will be held during the First Friday ArtWalk event on Friday, May 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.  Refreshments will be provided.

The Introduction to Costume Design class will be showcasing extraordinary challenge pieces designed and built by individual students.  These pieces will highlight the use of non-traditional costuming materials such as cupcake liners, playing cards and other surprises in their designs. 

Additional works included in the exhibition will be from the Visual Art classes Drawing I and II, Two Dimensional Design, Three Dimensional Design, Printmaking, Painting I, and Art and Experience.  The reception will also feature performances from our Music department classes, including Songwriting 101, and a performance on the harp by student Abby Adams.

The Gallery's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as 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.  

Pictured: A sample of the student art that will be on display.

Describe what you do in 50 words or less.

My main responsibility is processing four payrolls each month, which keeps me very busy!  To name just a few other things, I reconcile monthly insurance statements, report retirement contributions to our Public School Retirement System (PSRS), reconcile the cashier's sessions on a daily basis and prepare the bank deposit. 

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

I have worked at OTC for almost 11 years; I started part-time in June of 2000 and went full-time in December of 2000.  Immediately prior, I was in high school at Everton School and worked part-time at a grocery store in Walnut Grove. 

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

In the coming year I plan to continue to learn and keep apprised of current issues regarding payroll; it may not sound real exciting, but I know we all want our paychecks!  Ha! 

What is your favorite thing about working at OTC? 

I love the atmosphere of OTC and being part of a team that sets out to achieve one common goal.  Oh and my favorite thing....that would be Christmas break!  

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

The never-knowing, always-changing weather!

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

That would definitely be my parents.  Sometimes all you need to hear is "I know you can do it" and that gives you enough to strive to set goals and achieve them.   

What do you have on the walls of your office?

The walls of my office hold my diplomas, along with a couple of pictures of my niece and nephew.

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

Jesus, Kenny Chesney, and Adam Sandler.

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

I would write a book about Payroll - "Where's my missing timesheet?"

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

"That's the Way Love Goes" - Merle Haggard, "Is It Raining at your House" - Vern Gosdin, and "A Little Bit Stronger" - Sara Evans

• A variety of graduation ceremonies will be held in the coming weeks as we recognize the hard work and success of our graduating students.  Please join us in celebrating with this year's graduates!  The schedule is as follows:

GED Graduation 

May 9, 6 p.m.

Gillioz Theatre 

Middle College Graduation

May 15, 6 p.m.

Gillioz Theatre 

ASN Pinning Ceremony

May 18, 11 a.m.

Gillioz Theatre  

OTC Commencement

May 19, 6 p.m.

JQH Arena  

• A Retiree Reception will be held on Friday, May 13, at 3 p.m. in the Information Commons Atrium.  Please join us as we honor nine long-time employees! 

• Join us for the 2011 Employee Night at the Springfield Cardinals on Thursday, June 9, at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $7 each, and are available in the Cashier's office on the Springfield Campus.  There is no limit to the number of tickets you may purchase; however, you must purchase your tickets by June 1 at 5 p.m.  Each employee who purchases a ticket will have his/her name entered into a drawing to throw out the first pitch!  You must be an employee of the College to enter your name.  We will announce the winner of this contest Thursday, June 2.  If you have any questions regarding this event, contact Stephanie Brown at browns@otc.edu. 

• A note from Jeff and Anna Marie Kulback to the OTC family:  "Thank you so much for the peace lily.  It is a fitting remembrance for Jeff's father.  Jeff plans to put it in his new office in Lebanon."

• The Women's Industry Network, an organization designed to support and encourage women in the collision repair industry, has announced its scholarship winners for 2011, and there are two winners from OTC!  Student Hannah Nickles and Coordinator of Career Education and Breaking Traditions Michele Charlebois-Didreckson are both among this year's honorees.  Congratulations to both of these outstanding OTC representatives!  
• A message from Randy and Julie Humphrey and family:  "Thank you so much for the flowers, words of encouragement, and the support you have provided to me and my family.  It is a blessing to have such a great family as my OTC family!" 

• Now - May 14:  Amadeus, Vandivort Center Theatre.  Was Mozart murdered?  This production explores the widely-circulated rumor that a "hit" was ordered by his contemporary and the most famous musician of the time, Antonio Salieri.  For show times and ticket information, call (417) 831-8001.

• Now - June 5:  Graphic Works of Philip Pearlstein, Springfield Art Museum.  Pearlstein was a leader in the revival of figure painting in America in the early 1960's.  This exhibit showcases his continued focus on the figure, as well as a number of landscapes pulled from drawings made during the artist's travels.  For more information and museum hours, visit  www.springfieldmo.gov/art or call (417) 837-5700.

• Now - October 29:  Railroad Historical Museum, Springfield.  This free museum, open on Saturdays, is dedicated to the preservation of the history of railroading.  The museum includes hands-on activities for kids, and much more!  For details, call (417) 865-6829.

• May 5:  Japan Children's Day, Discovery Center.  Honor the special children in your life by coming to the Discovery Center to learn about Japanese culture.  KIZUNA (the Japan-America Friendship Group) will perform dances, the Springfield Sister Cities Association will assist with origami, flag making, and paper doll activities.  The Center will continue to support the Springfield Sister Cities Association by taking donations for our sister city of Isesaki, Japan.  For more information, call (417) 862-9910 or visit  discoverycenter.org. 

• May 6:  ArtsFiesta!, Founder's Park, Springfield.  This annual event features performers from Springfield's sister city of Tlaquepaque, Mexico, plus local Hispanic dance groups, children's activities and more.  For details, call (417) 864-1191 or check out  www.peacethroughpeople.org. 

• May 7:  Into Gardening Series, Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center.  Pre-registration is required for this spring gardening workshop series.  For more information, call (417) 891-1515 or visit  www.parkboard.org. 

• May 7-8:  ArtsFest on Walnut Street, downtown Springfield.  Visual and performing arts take center stage at this annual event.  More than 140 artists from across the country display and sell their work.  A children's area and five performance stages round out the weekend's activities.  For more information, call (417) 862-2787 or see  www.SpringfieldArts.org. 

• May 8:  Mother's Day at the Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield.  Mothers receive free admission all day!  For details, call (417) 833-1570 or see www.dickersonparkzoo.org. 

• May 12:  Brian Regan Live at the Gillioz Theatre, downtown Springfield.  One of the premier contemporary comedians in the country, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans of every generation.  For details, call (417) 863-9491 or see  www.gillioztheatre.com. 

• May 20:  Family Fishing Night, Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, Springfield.  Enjoy an evening of fun and relaxation at the farm.  Bring the whole family and participate in our fishing contest to win prizes, or just relax by the bonfire!  For more information, call (417) 837-5949 or visit  www.parkboard.org. 

1  - Angela Lamb

2  - Lynnar Hamilton

3  - Kelly Andekin

4  - Lisa Reece

      Stephen White

5  - Linda Szura

6  - Shanna Grooms

7  - Amber Shanks

8  - Donna Graham

11 - Dana Sherman

       Temenujka Tzaneva

12 - Tiffany Archer

13 - Tena Wheeler

       Sam Woelk

14 - Robert Dale 

15 - Jack Manes

16 - Beth Berns

       Bill Dowdy

       Michael Madden

17 - John Fishback

19 - Dustin Childress

       Steven Fritts

       Joanna Mendez

20 - Shanna Cobb

       Reginal Hoskins

       Timothy Hyden

       John Rude

       Kip Thompson

22 - Susan Siemens

23 - Veronica Lowe

       Ann White

24 - Jessica Gerard

28 - Lynda Doepker

       Travis Garrison

29 - Dennis Baier

       Gwen Gilpin

30 - Aaron Light

31 - Daniel Kopsas

       Piper Wilson