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College Matters
| November 2011
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OTC breaks ground for Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at Table Rock Campus
Event includes announcement of significant gift OTC will soon begin construction on the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at its new Table Rock Campus, thanks to a significant seven-figure gift from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation. The gift, along with the design and floor plans for the Center, was announced this morning at the College's groundbreaking ceremony in Hollister. The College purchased a total of 8.25 acres located between Highways 65 and 165, including the former Crockey's 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. The empty restaurant was demolished and the land cleaned for construction over the summer. Located at 10698 Historic Highway 165 in Hollister, the campus will open its doors to students in the fall of 2013.
Pictured, top: Artist's rendering of the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center (provided by Baron Design and Associates). Pictured, bottom, from left to right: The official groundbreaking included Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley; Vice President of the OTC Board of Trustees Dr. Maryellen Stratmann; Secretary of the OTC Board of Trustees Jackie McKinsey; Chancellor of OTC Dr. Hal Higdon; Member of the OTC Board of Trustees Larry Snyder; Steve Plaster, son of Robert W. Plaster, representing the Robert W. Plaster Foundation; President of the OTC Board of Trustees J. Howard Fisk; Hollister Mayor David Tate; State Representative Don Phillips; Hollister Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tim Taylor; Rob Dixon, Manager of Business Development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, formerly of the City of Hollister and Hollister Chamber of Commerce; and Hollister City Administrator Rick Ziegenfuss.
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OTC Fine Art Gallery: Two Exhibits in November
A ceramic artist and a mixed media artist will be featured The OTC Fine Art Gallery will proudly host opening receptions during First Friday ArtWalk in both the first floor gallery in the Historic Gillioz Theatre, and the third floor gallery located in the OTC Fine Arts Department. The events will be held Friday, November 4, from 6-10 p.m. This month, the featured artists are ceramic artist Fadra Hepner and mixed media arist and chef HJ Schumer.
Hepner's exhibition of functional ceramic lamps, titled "From Within," will be featured on the first floor of the Gillioz Theatre complex. The artist explains her work: "This series comes from my fascination with the ability of light to transform not only a space, but our perceptions and frame of mind. When viewed unlit, these simple forms evoke a quiet resonance much like a simple monolith or stalagmite. Their true beauty and power is only revealed when they are lit, smoldering with mystery and warmth. They embody the dual nature of the self, simultaneously simple and complex. Each lamp is individually hand built or wheel-thrown and altered. I have used no glaze with these pieces, preferring instead to let the soft, satin surface of the translucent clay speak for itself."  The third floor Gallery will spotlight Schumer's original artworks, as well as his most recent passion, the culinary arts. He is currently a chef and culinary educator with the Taste Culinary Classroom through Price Cutter Bistro under the guidance of renowned local Chef James Clary. Schumer will display some of his recipe developments and the visual results of being the food stylist on the photo shoots. In the photographs featured, Schumer created the recipes and has included a brief description outlining the "terrior" movement, or the essence of "getting back to the soil."
This month's ArtWalk event will also feature a performance from the OTC Choir at 6:30 p.m. in the OTC Fine Art Gallery 3rd Floor Gillioz. They will be previewing music from their upcoming Christmas concert. The OTC Fine Arts Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact Kat Allie at 417-447-8977, alliek@otc.edu, or finearts@otc.edu. Pictured, from top: Three of Hepner's lamps; an example of Schumer's work.
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Fall Fun for Children at OTC
Trunk or Treat Event and Harvest Parade held in Springfield
The first-ever OTC Student Government Association Trunk or Treat event was held Friday, Oct. 28, at the OTC Springfield campus.
The free event included games, a kids' movie, candy, arts & crafts, face painting, a pumpkin painting contest along with snacks and drinks. The community was invited to bring their children in costume.
Turnout for this event was much larger than expected, so more volunteers will be needed in the future. Please join us in passing out goodies next year!
Earlier that day, the Early Childhood Education Center held its annual Harvest Parade. Children from the center marched around the OTC Springfield Campus in costume, bringing delight to - and collecting candy from - the faculty, staff and students.
Pictured, from top: Children collecting candy at the Trunk or Treat event; Children enjoying the Harvest Parade.
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HIT Students Succeed With Early Testing Option
Six students receive certification through early testing
Congratulations to six former Health Information Technology (HIT) students who sat for and successfully completed the Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT) certification examination prior to their official graduation from the program at OTC.
Pat Henderson, Nuhu Mohammed, Vivian Mooney, Derinda Rosier, Annette Wilson, and Jennifer Williams took advantage of the Early Testing option offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) option which allows currently enrolled students in their final semester of an accredited HIT program to apply for and take the certification exam early.
As an added incentive, the Missouri Health Information Management Association (MoHIMA) offers additional incentive to graduates in the state of Missouri to take the AHIMA credentialing exam by offering each graduate a portion of the exam fee to offset the cost of the exam. One stipulation of this incentive is that students must take the exam within one year of graduation. Statistics have shown an increase in pass rates when certification exams are taken before graduation or within six months of graduation.
Also, Jennifer Williams had also successfully passed the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam prior to passing the RHIT exam, which resulted in Jennifer being dual-credentialed at the time of graduation. Jennifer Williams, RHIT, CCS, is now a member of the adjunct faculty at OTC, teaching Medical Coding I.
Congratulations to these outstanding graduates!
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Santa to Make Calls for Relay for Life
Make your request by December 9Through 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 IC Atrium at the OTC Springfield Campus any time 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 9.
For information, contact Elf Mindy by emailing gomezm@otc.edu or calling 447-8176, or Elf Tracy by emailing pondert@otc.edu or calling 447-8173.
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The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Todd Yerby, Director of the OTC Honors Program and Instructor in the Department of Communication
 Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less. Essentially, I manage the day-to-day operations of the Honors Program and also teach online, seated and honors versions of the Introduction to Public Speaking course.
How long have you been at OTC, and where were you immediately prior? What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year? This year within the Honors Program I hope to increase the enrollment in the Program, enhance our awareness among incoming OTC students, build greater faculty involvement and resources, improve honors course offerings, create more transfer paths for our graduating students, and overall create a more strategic infrastructure for the program. It's going to be a very busy year. What is your favorite thing about working at OTC? I really like the students, the folks I work with and the challenge. The students keep it interesting and fun, my colleagues provide me with support and guidance and each and every day there's a new challenge - and I like that. What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks? I enjoy the outdoors. I've spent most of the free time in my life hunting and fishing and the Ozarks offers some truly remarkable opportunities to enjoy nature. Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice. Overall there are about five or six teachers that I truly credit for any amount of success that I've found in my life. One of them is Dennis Lancaster, the Honors Director as MSU-West Plains. As an 18-year-old completely lost freshman in college I entered the MSU-West Plains Honors Program and Dennis has been a mentor to me ever since as a teacher, leader and human being. What do you have on the walls of your office?
I have a couple of diplomas, a couple of awards certificates, a few oddly sarcastic motivational posters and a small number of quotes meant for my students.
If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be? I'd have to go with Plato, Mark Twain and King Solomon. If I can have a fourth I would like to have a translator. If you were to write a book, what would it be about? Most likely it would be about education. I would like to think it would be something practical following a similar framework to Ron Clark's "Essential 55" (it's a book designed for elementary school teachers that has more impact on my job than I could ever have imagined). Either that or I would write a book based on the framework of Seinfeld - about nothing, which I think I know a lot about. What were the last three songs played on your iPod? I honestly can't tell you the last time I specifically chose to listen to a particular song. I listen to NPR 90% of the time and when they don't have a news program on I randomly turn on a rock or country station.
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Campus Notes
- OTC's late night classes will be the subject of a feature now scheduled to air on NBC during the first weekend of November. NBC interviewed Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of the College, as well as two instructors and several students, on the benefits of classes being offered during non-traditional hours. Watch your email for the date and time that the story will air!
- As we are approaching the holidays, here are just a few date reminders to share with you.
Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, November 22: We will have regular office hours and night classes will be in session.
Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27: College is closed and there will be no classes in session.
Holiday Reception
Friday, December 16: The retirement reception will be in the IC Atrium at 11:30 a.m., with the holiday buffet following at noon.
Holiday Break
Wednesday, December 21: We will have regular office hours on this day.
Thursday, December 22 through Monday, January 2, 2012: Holiday break/College Closed.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012: College will open with regular office hours.
- A message from Teri Summerfield to the OTC family: "I wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I appreciate the beautiful plant that was sent for the passing of my grandmother. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers in this sad time."
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Local Happenings
- Now - December 31: Titanic Christmas and Winter Celebration, Branson.Titanic will join the Branson community November 1 for the official area lighting ceremonies. Come exchange greetings with the jolly Titanic crew or enjoy the glittering lights, the festive decorations, and meet Santa and two of his special reindeer! For hours and admission prices, visit www.titanicattraction.com or call (417) 334-9500.
- November 3-12: "Into the Woods" at Evangel University. Evangel University theatre students will present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's hit Broadway musical "Into the Woods." For show times and ticket information, visit www.evangel.edu/ticketsales, or call (417) 865 2811.
- November 5: The Blanks at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.The Blanks, aka "Ted's Band" or "The Worthless Peons" - best known from their eight years on the TV show "Scrubs" - offer family-friendly music and sketch comedy. Call (417) 836-7678 or visit www.hammonshall.comfor more information.
- November 10-13: Ozarks Kennel Club Dog Show, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. This is the local all-breed dog show certified by the American Kennel Club. For details, call (417) 833-2660.
- November 18-19: Johnny Mathis, the Mansion Theatre, Branson. This year's Christmas show will feature members of the Springfield Symphony. Visit www.themansiontheatre.comor call (417) 239-3057 for more information.
- November 19 - December 31: Springfield Festival of Lights. This six-week celebration includes a variety of activities for all ages! For details, check out www.itsalldowntown.com.
- November 24: Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, Springfield. Join the flock of more than 6,500 runners and walkers for the largest Thanksgiving morning 5K event in Missouri. Proceeds benefit the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Park Board's Scholarship Fund. For details, visit www.parkboard.org.
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Birthdays
November
3 - Ted Collier
4 - Dana Burpo
Kay Murnan
5 - Joel Doepker
Kitty Estabrook
Sandra Lewis
Pete Rothrock
Kim Sutton
6 - Kristina Bridges-Templeton
Danny Lane
Lisa Mitchell
8 - Gail Garton
Allen Lieske
9 - Lawrence Lininger
10 - Robert Clark
Sherry Coker
12 - Kimberly Whalen
13 - Andrew Aberle
Lisa Roberson
14 - Michelle Howard
15 - Charnell Allan
David Fotopulos
Harlan Hill
William Stage
16 - Joyce Thomas
18 - Ronald Timmins
19 - Peter Edwards
Chelsey Wright
21 - Lacey Mattheis
Russell Wydeen
22 - Tara Lawless
Barrie Talbott
23 - Mindy Gomez
24 - Christopher Cole
Jennifer Hartman
Ellen Newby-Hines
26 - Holly Hartmann
Diana Hopkins
Diana Penrose
27 - Amanda Walker
Katherine Webb
28 - Amanda Stone
29 - Ethan Hart
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New Employees, Transfers and Promotions
New Full-Time Permanent Employees:
- Kelly Hampton, Maintenance Technician - H.V.A.C. Began October 24.
- Marissa Thompson, Allied Health Secretary. Began October 31.
- Linda Berger, Vocational Resource Educator/DDS Counselor. Began November 1.
- Benjamin Miller, Desktop Deployment Systems Administrator. Begins November 7.
- Sheila Wilson, High School Health Sciences Instructor. Begins November 28.
Transfers/Promotions:
- Matthew Harris, Interim College Director of OTC Online. Begins January 1, 2012.
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Next Newsletter Deadline: Tuesday, November 22
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 December newsletter is Tuesday, November 22.
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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