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Demolition underway in Hollister
Former restaurant being cleared from future home of OTC's Table Rock campus Demolition has begun at the site of the former Crockey's restaurant in Hollister, located on Highway 165, to prepare the property for construction of Ozarks Technical Community College's new Table Rock Campus. Demolition is expected to take approximately two weeks, and construction will begin later this year. The campus will open its doors to students in the fall semester of 2013.
OTC purchased a total of 8.25 acres located between Highways 65 and 165, including the empty restaurant, in December of 2010. In addition to the purchased land, the City of Hollister donated a contiguous .83 acres, bringing the total land now owned by the College to 9.08 acres.  Citizens in the Hollister School District voted to join the Ozarks Technical Community College district in April of 2010. Among other community benefits, joining the OTC district allows Hollister residents to pay the in-district tuition at the College, which is significantly lower than the cost for students living outside of the district.
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OTC Employee Night at the Cardinals
Faculty and staff enjoyed a night at Hammons Field in June Employees from all corners of the College came out to cheer for the Springfield Cardinals on OTC Employee Night at Hammons Field on June 9. The double-header provided an exciting evening for the attending members of the OTC family. Jeff Johnson, coordinator of videography and video editing, won the drawing to throw out the first pitch.  Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and families who came out to make OTC Employee Night at the Cardinals a success! Pictured: Katherine Craft, assistant to the vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement (top), and Tracy McGrady, director of grants development and Communication instructor (right), at the game with their families.
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Update: Joplin relief effort
OTC collection filled nine semi-trucks and raised $71,520
 When a major tornado disaster tore through Joplin on Sunday, May 22, OTC responded with the speed, flexibility and organization that is a community college's forte. In less than 24 hours, OTC, in partnership with the Journal Broadcast Group, began collecting tons of needed goods and tens of thousands of dollars for Joplin's tornado victims, who live just 60 miles west of the College.
When the collection days were finished, OTC and Journal Broadcast Group had sent nine semi-trucks full of supplies to Joplin. The two organizations also presented a check in the amount of $71,520 for the Joplin Tornado Relief Effort to the Convoy of Hope.
 All of this was possible thanks to the combined efforts of the employees and students of OTC, the employees of Journal Broadcast Group, and the family and friends who volunteered or donated. A Thank You event, catered by the Whole Hog Café, was held the week after the collection efforts for the OTC family and volunteers who helped with the Joplin Relief Effort.
For more about the Joplin Relief Drive, go to www.otc.edu/joplinrelief.
Pictured, from top: Dr. Higdon and Rex Hansen, vice president and general manager of Journal Broadcast Group, present a check for $71,520 to Jeff Nene of Convoy of Hope; Rob Rector, vice chancellor of Administrative Services, serves Jeff Johnson, coordinator of videography and video editing, and Jason Gomez, coordinator of marketing.
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Mental Health First Aid USA comes to OTC
Training program prepares employees to assist those in mental crisis or distress
OTC's Department of Counseling Services is proud to partner with the Missouri Department of Mental Health in bringing an exciting new program to our faculty and staff. Mental Health First Aid USA is an international program similar to Red Cross First Aid. The program is designed to equip the lay person with tools to recognize and provide assistance and support to persons experiencing a mental health crisis. The college counseling staff, which includes Joyce Thomas, James Carpenter, Becky Dalton and Steve Fritts, completed a rigorous training program to become certified trainers. The college has offered training to 34 employees to date with attendees from a cross section of the college, including administration, custodial, staff, faculty and students. With the goal of giving our employees tools to assist people in distress or those experiencing a mental-health crisis, past attendees have said that the training "helped break down misconceptions about mental illness and was presented in clear and concise language" and the training "gave me many new tools for my worldly toolbox." In addition, participants receive 12 hours of Continuing Education Units, as well as certification as a Mental Health First Aider. Free to all college employees, the Mental Health First Aid USA training will be offered to employees 2-3 times annually. For more information, please contact Director of Counseling Services, Joyce Thomas, at thomasj@otc.edu or by calling 447-6973. |
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The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Anita Beeler, Academic Advisor
 Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less.
I work with new students in STAR Seminars, and also with currently enrolled students, providing them with information about academic progression, degree requirements and many other academic concerns they may have.
How long have you been at OTC, and where were you immediately prior?
I have been full time at OTC 4 years. I taught health and physical education and coached at Reeds Spring Schools prior to coming to OTC. I worked at Reeds Spring since graduating from MSU.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year?
I hope to continue to help develop and improve programs that will make it easier for students to get started at OTC and to continue to work with students in developing educational plans that are consistent with their life goals.
What is your favorite thing about working at OTC?
I love working with students in small groups and individually. My favorite part of the educational process is helping students reach their goals... helping students help themselves. This has always been of importance to me and OTC is the perfect fit.
What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks?
I have lived in the Ozarks all my life. Most of my family and friends are still here. It is home.
Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice.
My mother, who didn't have an excellent education but always valued its importance, had the biggest impact on my career. I grew up in a very small farming town and I think only five students from my graduating class went to college. My goal was to play college softball, and mom took the steps for me to have that opportunity. Once I got to college, I realized education was my true passion and my entire career has been devoted to it.
What do you have on the walls of your office?
Scuba Diving photos of sharks, turtles, eels, octopus, rays, squid and lots of fish! My husband Kerry and I love diving and our most recent adventure was in Belize in June. Of course, I have pics of my son, Heath, who lives in Sarasota, Florida and works as a professional junior's tennis coach. He just got married in April and now I have a daughter-in-law, Emily.
If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be?
Margaret Sanger, Charles Darwin and Bill Gates
If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
I would write about the state of education in public schools, and the role of parenting in improving its status.
What were the last three songs played on your iPod (or what was the last music you listened to)?
Let's change the songs to artists: Katy Perry, Lily Allen, and P!nk. (Makes running more fun.)
Pictured: Anita with her husband, Terry, at the Blue Hole in Belize.
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Campus Notes
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Two of the parking lots at OTC's Springfield campus will be available to the community on Saturday, July 2, for viewing of the Fireworks at the Field event at Hammons Field. The open lots are Lot N, at the corner of National Ave. and Chestnut Exp., and Lot C, at the corner of Sherman Ave. and Chestnut Exp. The ITTC and the ICW will be open for restroom access. OTC Safety and Security personnel and Springfield Police officers will be on campus during the event. No fireworks, grills, outdoor cooking, skateboards, alcohol or tobacco will be allowed on OTC property. For more information on the Fireworks at the Field event, see the "Local Happenings" column below.
- Open House dates have been set, including a special open house at the new OTC Lebanon Center, which will give students and community members a chance to discover what's inside the new facility. Visitors can register for a chance to win an iPad2. Click here for more information on the Open House events. The dates and times for this year's Open Houses are:
Richwood Valley July 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Branson July 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Waynesville July 27, 9 a.m. - noon Lebanon Aug. 11, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. - A note from Judy Chaplain, VA Certifying Official, Registrar's Office: "Thank you to my OTC family and friends for the beautiful peace lily that is in my office in remembrance of my mom who passed away on May 20."
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Local Happenings
- July 2: Fireworks at the Field, Hammons Field and downtown Springfield. Sponsored by the Urban Districts Alliance, this event will include evening fireworks and live performances by RetroGnomes, Little Hoover's Big Band, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Big Smith. Other downtown entertainment will include crafts at the Creamery Arts Center, ice-skating at Mediacom Ice Park and activities at the Discovery Center. For more information, visit www.itsalldowntown.com or call the Urban Districts Alliance at (417) 831-6200.
- July 6-9 and 11-17: Oklahoma! at Missouri State University Tent Theatre. The classic musical tells the story of a feud between western cowboys and local farmers, and love striking an unlikely couple. For show times and ticket information, visit www.missouristatetix.com or call (417) 836-7678.
- July 16: Zoobilee, Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield. Let your child go wild at the Zoobilee Festival! You'll find music, entertainment and activities just for kids throughout the zoo. For details, call (417) 833-1570 or see www.dickersonparkzoo.org.
- July 29 - August 7: Ozark Empire Fair, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield. The largest annual event in the Ozarks, this year's fair will feature grandstand concerts and motorsports entertainment, more than 40 rides, street performers, livestock, agriculture and art shows, thousands of exhibits, unique shopping, fabulous food, and fun for everyone! For fair admission prices and hours, call (417) 833-2660 or check out www.ozarkempirefair.com.
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Birthdays
July 1 - Gretchen Gawron Cynthia Phillips 2 - Cliff Davis Angela McChesney Jane Parker 3 - Devon Ellis Ryan Farmer 4 - Jim Bridwell Hope Brooks-Lovan Jill LeGrand George Southwick Peter Sullivan Jessica Whittington John Yinger 5 - Alan Church Rebecca Noel Don Reeves 6 - Julie Edwards Gerardo Maupome-Millan Gloria McTeer 7 - Jana Owen 9 - Phillip Duncan Ryan White 10 - Robert Johnson 11 - Jackie Jenkins Albert Simmons Deborah Whitaker 12 - Bruce Clemens Valentin Curutiu 13 - Benjamin Breed Lawrence Brethower Kim Greene 14 - Gary Williams 15 - Blane Foraker Whitney Williams 16 - Andrea Fish 17 - Rebecca Caceres 18 - Gary Powell Laurel Watson 21 - David Aderhold Richard Anderson 22 - David Copher Billy Robinson 23 - Judith Brake 24 - Jon Ames 25 - Sherry Griffitts 26 - Claude Crain 27 - Jason Gomez Rebekah McCormack 28 - Donna Koehler 29 - Steven Polk 30 - Robin Schaffrinna 31 - Jane Cowden |
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New Employees, Transfers and Promotions
New Full-Time Permanent Employees:
- Dr. Christie Cathey, Psychology Instructor. Begins August 17.
- Trisha White, Developmental Math Instructor. Begins August 17.
- Selina Taylor, Secretary - Waynesville Center. Begins July 5.
- Larry Scharnberg, Biology Instructor. Begins August 16.
- Karen Forsee, Developmental English Instructor. Begins August 16.
- Michael Gilmore, Network Hardware Technician. Begins July 5.
- Abigail Benz, Research Assistant. Begins July 18.
- Gabriela Florea, Programmer. Begins July 18.
New Temporary Full-TimeEmployees:
- Danny Lane, Temporary Full-Time Groundskeeper. Begins July 1.
- Lisa Tessier, Temporary Full-Time Secretary to the Director of Career Employment Services/Career Educator. Begins July 5.
- Curtis Klotz, Temporary Full-Time Biology Instructor. Begins August 16.
- Jonathan Christenson, Temporary Full-Time Network Hardware Technician. Begins July 11.
Transfers and Promotions:
- Piper Wilson, Coordinator of Career Center Programs. Begins new position July 1.
- Stephanie Davenport, Psychology Instructor. Begins new position August 17.
- Renee Graves, Secretary of Academic Services/Curriculum Specialist. Began new position June 27.
- James Ackerman, Communication Instructor. Begins new position August 17.
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Next Newsletter Deadline: Monday, July 25
The employee newsletter is sent out on the first of each month. The deadline is one week prior, so mark your calendars if you have news you would like us to include. The deadline for the August newsletter is Monday, July 25.
Send your submissions to either of the following email addresses, and we'll get the word out!
clips@otc.edu
masond@otc.edu
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