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College Matters
| February 2012
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OTC Celebrates National Career and Technical Education Month
College receives proclamation from City of Springfield
 In honor of National Career and Technical Education Month, the City of Springfield has presented OTC with an official proclamation recognizing the College for its leadership in providing valuable career and technical education for the citizens of Springfield and the surrounding communities.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Stephens presented the proclamation on Thursday, February 2, during the College's Career and Technical Education Celebration in the Atrium of the Industry and Transportation Technology Center on the OTC Springfield Campus.
 The College has a variety of other activities planned for National Career and Technical Education Month. On Friday, February 10, OTC will host the district competition for SkillsUSA, a national organization serving trade, industrial, technical and health occupation students in public high schools, career and technical centers and two-year colleges. Approximately 200 students will compete in a variety of career and technical programs. OTC students will also compete in SkillsUSA contests at MSSU, Crowder College and Southwest Area Career Center. District winners will advance to state competition in March, followed by national competition in June.
Additionally, on Wednesday, February 15, OTC will be represented at the Missouri Association of Career and Technical Education (MoACTE) Legislative Day in Jefferson City, and on Friday, February 17, a Career and Technical Program Showcase will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. in ICE 123C.
Pictured: Mayor Pro Tem Stephens presents the proclamation from the City of Springfield to Dr. Higdon.
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SIFE Spring Bazaar Planned for March 10
Team also raising money via candle sales
The first OTC SIFE Spring Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, in the Atrium of Information Commons on the OTC Springfield Campus. The SIFE team has worked with over 30 booth vendors to bring their home-based craft items to the target market.
"The variety and quality of craft items is amazing and it is a pleasure to work with the area crafters," said Tonya Campbell, SIFE Spring Bazaar project manager.
The SIFE team has gained experience in event planning by holding a Holiday Bazaar in November for seven years. Funds raised support the team's project outreach to community nonprofit organizations, the Ozarks Literacy Council and the Christian County Family Crisis Center. The booth fee for OTC students/staff/faculty crafters is $20; off-campus organization booth fees start at $35. To reserve an 8' x 8' booth, contact the SIFE Spring Bazaar project team members via email at sife@otc.edu, by calling (417) 447-8981, or in Graff Hall 114A.
Additionally, the SIFE team members have begun candle sales to raise funds for travel to regional competition. The team selected three candle styles with the choice of ten fragrances from the PartyLite product line for a price of $20. Orders can be placed with any SIFE member, or through the above contact information.
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OTC Fine Arts Gallery: Faculty Showcase
Visual art and music faculty will be in the spotlight The OTC Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the historic Gillioz Theatre, will proudly host an opening reception during the First Friday ArtWalk event on Friday, February 3, 6-10 p.m. This month, the gallery will feature an exhibition of works from members of the OTC Fine Arts faculty.
Featured instructors will be Cathy Clemens, Tom McCune, Cynthia Moore, Jim Delgadillo, and Kat Allie. Additionally, a variety of musical performances including piano, bassoon, and guitar will be showcased throughout the evening by music faculty Jennifer McAtee, Lia Southern, Rick Haegg, Andrew Bishko and Kyle Aho. 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: "Day You Were Born," by instructor Cathy Clemens.
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OTC Relay for Life to Host Pancake Breakfast
Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society Who doesn't love pancakes? Join the OTC & Friends Relay For Life team for an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 18, 8-10 a.m. at Applebee's on South Glenstone. Tickets are $5.00.
Get a group of your co-workers, family, and/or friends together and go out for breakfast on February 18! It's a great way to start your Saturday and all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Advance tickets will be sold at the Relay For Life Bake Sale on Valentine's Day (look for the table in the IC Atrium). For more information or to purchase advance tickets contact Mindy Gomez, gomezm@otc.edu, or Tracy Ponder, ponder@otc.edu.
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Seen at OTC...
Snapshots of what's been happening around the College
The OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of the College, received a gift of a 1979 Hendricks Hammerly pumper and fire engine from Jon's Mid-America Fire Apparatus and its president, Jim Keltner. The fire engine will be used in training students in the Fire Science Technology program at OTC. A dedication event was held Wednesday, February 1, at the OTC Springfield Campus. Pictured: Jim Keltner with OTC's new fire engine.
 OTC held a ceremony on Monday, December 12, to recognize Bill Foster, of the Foster Hospitality Group, with the naming of the Bill R. Foster Student Services. Foster recently presented the OTC Foundation with three homes north of the OTC Springfield Campus, a gift valued at nearly $300,000. Speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Higdon, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the OTC Foundation Cliff Davis, President of the Board of Trustees J. Howard Fisk, President of the OTC Foundation Board Neal Spencer, and OTC Student Government Association representative Fran Ferguson. Foster also spoke, expressing his appreciation for the College. Pictured: Dr. Higdon talks with Bill Foster.
 A naming ceremony was held in Lincoln Hall for the Cash Family Orthodontics Classroom, named in honor of Dr. Jerry F. and Shara Cash and their daughter, Dr. Tara Cash. The Cash family has presented the OTC Foundation with $15,000 to support the dental programs at OTC. Pictured: Dental Hygiene Program Director Marge Bell, Dr. Cash, and Dental Assisting Program Director Janet Sell outside the newly named classroom.For additional photos of each of these events and more, visit OTC's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ozarkstech.
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OTC Honors Retirees at Holiday Reception
Annual event also features appearance from Santa Claus The OTC Holiday Reception provided an opportunity to honor two retirees, Veterans Program Coordinator Judy Chaplain and Industrial and Manufacturing Instructor Richard Faber. The annual event drew faculty and staff from around the College, plus many of OTC's past retirees. The children from the Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center joined the celebration, and enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus, played by Coordinator of Media Relations Steve Koehler. 
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the 2011 Holiday Reception a success, and best of luck to our retirees!
Pictured: Faber speaks during the retirement ceremony; Santa listens to the holiday wishes of a child from the Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center.
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The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Dana Gambriel, EMP Instructor Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less.I am a full-time instructor
in the Electronic Media Production Department. I have the pleasure of teaching post secondary and secondary students the different aspects of media production.
How long have you been at OTC, and where were you before this?
This is my fifth year teaching full time for OTC. I was a producer/head writer at KSPR Springfield 33 before.
What do you hope to accomplish in your position or department in the coming year?
I hope to win more medals at SkillsUSA Nationals competition, and to achieve a higher quality of product and knowledge in the media field for my students.
What is your favorite thing about working at OTC?
I absolutely love the people I work with and for.
What is your favorite thing about living and working in the Ozarks?
I was born and raised in the Ozarks. I love the fact that I get to enjoy all of the seasons and their beauty. It is a great place to raise a family.
Tell us about one person who had a significant impact on your professional life or career choice.
My family and friends have made a huge impact on my life and career choice. They have always been behind my decisions and choices. They have pushed me to achieve the best in life. Without them I would be nothing.
What do you have on the walls of your office?
I have several medals from SkillsUSA district, state and national levels. I also have a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt about believing.
If you could have dinner with three famous people, alive or dead, who would they be?
I guess I can try to narrow it down to three people. Steve Jobs, Lyman Frank Baum, and Philo Taylor Farnsworth.
If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
It would be about media, perhaps the steps to succeed in the media arena.
What were the last three songs played on your iPod?
"One of these Nights," by The Eagles, "Jackson," by Johnny Cash & June Carter, and "Nessun Dorma," by Pavorotti.
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Campus Notes
- Do you know of an OTC alum who has gone on to a successful career? We are looking for outstanding graduates to use in future OTC publications. Submit names and contact information to publicinfo@otc.edu.
- As the weather turns cold once again, please be aware of OTC's policies and procedures regarding inclement weather. The College is committed to providing a safe environment in which to learn and work. Employees must make it their personal responsibility to stay informed regarding closures, cancellations or delays. Please visit the Inclement Weather Policy web page to review the College's policies and communication procedures, and to sign up for text message alerts.
- Children, teens and adults are invited to enter an original photograph or photo illustration for the 10 Tenets of Civility Photo Contest, which runs Feb. 1-24. The subject of each black-and-white, 8x10 print should represent any one of the 10 Tenets of Civility adopted by the Springfield-Greene County Civility Project and more than 30 government agencies and private businesses. Participants may enter more than one photograph. Contest guidelines and entry forms are available at the 10 branches of the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the Mobile Library, or can be downloaded here. Entries may be turned in with attached entry form to the checkout desk of any branch library.For detailed definitions of each tenet, visit becivilbeheard.com.
- A message from Ramona George, director of Adult Education and Literacy: "The family of Joanne George would like to thank OTC for the lovely plant. We were very touched. Thanks to OTC for the comfort and support offered during this difficult time."
- A message from Kathy Christy, director of Career Employment Services: "To My OTC Family and Friends, I want to thank everyone for the lovely plant, as well as the kind words, cards, thoughts, and prayers that were sent my way upon the passing of my mother. I was blessed to be by her side when God gently and quietly took her from this earth and I will cherish that moment forever. Your sympathy and compassion during my time of loss was very touching and very much treasured."
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Local Happenings
- Feb. 3-19: "Annie" at the Landers Theatre, downtown Springfield. Presented by the Springfield Little Theatre, this American classic was the winner of nine Tony Awards. For show times and ticket information, call (417) 869-3869.
- Feb. 4-5: 13th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Autofest 2012, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. This event is an indoor cavalcade of all things automotive. Special feature vehicles and guest celebrities will appear throughout the weekend! For hours and prices, call (417) 833-2660 or visit www.ozarkempirefair.com.
- Feb. 17-18: Blue Man Group, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Escape the ordinary and surround yourself in a high-octane explosion of comedy, music, and technology! For show times and ticket prices, call (417) 836-7678 or visit www.hammonshall.com.
- Feb. 18: Free Art Day at the Creamery Art Center. Enjoy free hands-on activities for the whole family featuring several art stations, story telling, and more. Call (417) 862-2787 for details.
- Feb. 19: Lawn and Garden Show, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. This event features the newest items and ideas for your lawn and garden with more than 75,000 sq. ft. of vendors! Call (417) 833-2660 or visit www.ozarkempirefair.com for more information.
- Feb. 22: "Peter and the Wolf," O'Reilly Family Event Center. The Drury University music and theater departments collaborate to make this classic children's tale come alive. Admission is free; for performance times, call (417) 873-7276 or visit www.drury.edu.
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Birthdays
February
1 Samantha Cash
Nora McAmis-Payne
4 Shawn Ryan
5 John Clayton
6 Donald Williams
7 Glenn Marcum
8 Alan Tillery
9 Michelle Stout
10 Veronica Sanders
James Vest
11 Amanda Besser
James Holmes
Corky McCormack
13 Susan Kirk
15 Jane Payne
16 Kathy Buchholz
Marianne Crocker
Faith Mann
Marissa Thompson
17 Elena Blackmon
19 Juline Fontinelle
Jeff Wisdom
21 Emma Case
Amanda DeLong
Sam Endsley
22 Justin Walker
25 Jacob Lewellen
Cheryl Li
26 Gary Reynolds
27 Jacob Neimeyer
28 Nicholas Spangenberg
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New Employees, Transfers and Promotions
New Full-Time Permanent Employees:
- Lane Crisp, Drafting and Design Technology Instructor. Began Jan. 11.
- Eugenia Royer, Hearing Instrument Specialist Instructor (under MOHealthWINS Grant). Began Jan. 17.
Temporary Full-Time Employees:
- Hilary Nicholson, Temporary Full-Time Financial Aid Representative. Began Jan. 9.
- Brittany Vineyard, Temporary Full-Time Admissions Representative. Began Jan. 3.
Transfers/Promotions:
- Dawn Busick, Program Manager - MOHealthWINS Grant. Began new position Jan. 1.
- Joanna Mendez, Lead Student Services Representative. Began new position Jan. 9.
- Dennis Peters, Veteran Services Representative/Veteran Certifying Officer. Began new position Jan. 9.
- Patrick Iver, Assistant Coordinator - Media Services and Extended Hours. Began new position Jan. 6.
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Next Newsletter Deadline: Thursday, February 23
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 March newsletter is Thursday, February 23.
In the meantime, be sure you are putting your events on the campus calendar for inclusion in the weekly "Upcoming Events" emails.
Send your newsletter 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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