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College Matters
May 2013
Community Day a Success Despite the Rain
Dreary weather didn't stop the fun!

OTC hosted the 2013 Community Day on Saturday, April 27, at the OTC Springfield Campus. The rain held off for most of the morning, but eventually stopped the event at 1 p.m. 

Despite the weather, a great crowd came out for the plant sale, car show, welding repairs, and a variety of tables and booths offering demonstrations, health screenings, hands-on projects and other information from the college's various departments and programs.

Community Day is held each spring as a thank you to the community for its continued support, offering an opportunity for citizens to visit the OTC Springfield Campus and learn more about the college's role in the community.

For more photos from Community Day, visit www.facebook.com/ozarkstech.
First-Ever Musical Draws a Crowd
OTC Fine Arts department wows with "Clue: The Musical" 

A popular board game came to life in the OTC Fine Arts Department's interactive production "Clue: The Musical," presented at the Gillioz Theatre in April.  The fun-filled musical invited the audience to help solve the mystery:  who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon?

Hundreds of people came out to the three performances, adding up to the strongest crowds for any OTC spring production so far.  This was the sixth year that the OTC Fine Arts Department has done a spring production
, and the first time for a musical.

Congratulations to all who helped make this year's production a success!

For more photos of "Clue: The Musical," visit www.facebook.com/ozarkstech.
Surgical Technology Students Win Scrub Bowl
Students travel to St. Louis for convention and competition

A team of students from OTC's Surgical Technology program has taken first place at the Missouri Association of Surgical Technologists' Annual Scrub Bowl.  The competition consists of a written examination made up of questions taken from the Surgical Technologist Certification exam.  This is the fourth time OTC's Surgical Technology students have taken first place in the competition.

This year's winning team consisted of students Bethany Nimmo of Elkland, Emily Peebles of Clever, and Deborah Williams of Republic.  A total of nine students attended the event, which was held in St. Louis as a part of the Missouri Association of Surgical Technologists' Annual Convention. 

Pictured:  The nine students who attended the competition, along with Surgical Technology Program Director Angie Enlow. 
Respiratory Therapy Receives Excellence Award
Program has received the award twice before

OTC's Respiratory Therapy Program has received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialing Success Award for a third time.  The award is given by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), the agency that accredits all respiratory therapy programs in the United States.  OTC's program is the only associate level program out of 382 in the United States to receive this award three times.

"Only two other programs in the country are three time recipients, and those are four-year programs," said Doug Pursley, program director. 

Programs receiving this award are required to have three or more years of outcomes data, hold accreditation without a progress report, document RRT credentialing success of 90 percent or above, and meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for CRT credentialing success, attrition and positive job placement. 

The beginning of the Respiratory Therapy program was in 1975, when a collaboration was established between CoxHealth and Graff Vo-Tech.  A one-year program was created, and it remained that way until 1987, when the program added a second, optional year through Drury.  Graduates at the time had the choice to become certified technicians with one year of training, or complete the second year and become registered therapists.  In 1991, OTC opened its doors and the program became strictly affiliated with the college.  After a curriculum change in 1994, the program became a two-year program with no opt-out after one year.

"Part of our success is related to the curriculum, which was designed by Dr. Steve Bishop," said Pursley.  "The general education coursework is loaded up front, allowing students to concentrate on respiratory care in the second year.  It makes a big difference."

The program at OTC makes a huge economic impact on healthcare in Springfield and surrounding areas.  Of the approximately 250 respiratory therapists currently practicing in Springfield, 60% are OTC graduates.  Of the 30 respiratory therapists currently serving in supervisory or team leader positions at Mercy and Cox, 15 graduated from OTC.
Phi Theta Kappa Places Fourth Worldwide
OTC's chapter honored at international convention

Alpha Psi Tau, OTC's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, recently placed fourth out of the more than 1,300 worldwide chapters of the international academic honors society!  The award was presented at the the 95th annual International Convention in San Jose, Calif. 

In addition to the high overall ranking, the chapter also brought home a number of important awards including:   
  • Distinguished College Project  
  • Distinguished Honors in Action Project  
  • Distinguished Honors in Action Theme:  Psychology  
  • Continued Excellence in Advising: Jo Fritts  
  • Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award

This is the chapter's second Beta Alpha award; the award is presented after three years as a Distinguished Chapter.  Congratulations to the Phi Theta Kappa team for these honors!  

Agriculture Students Bring Home Awards from National Competition
One student also received a $1,000 scholarship

Students from the Turf and Landscape Management program at Ozarks Technical Community College have brought home several awards and a scholarship from their field's national competition.  The students competed against 62 other colleges and universities at the 37th annual Student Career Days, informally known as the "Landscaping Olympics," an event sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). 

 

The awards brought home from this year's competition included:

  • Wood Construction, 6th place: Brad Daniels and Isaac Lawson 
  • Landscape Plant Installation, 10th place: Kara Bullock, Juan Hibbs-Estrada, and Isaac Lawson
  • Overall Individual, 14th place: Isaac Lawson

Lawson's overall placement put him in the top two percent of all students competing in the events.  In addition, Lawson received a $1,000 scholarship through the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation. 

 

This year's Student Career Days also included student workshops and a career fair centered on opportunities in the landscaping industry.  The annual event is the largest competition and career recruitment event for college students studying horticulture and landscaping. Others attending the event included Katelyn Butler, Chloe Dalton, Kyle Knierim, Sueanna Nelson, and Michelle Meyer, along with OTC instructors Rob Flatness and Danelle Maxwell.

Student Learning Committee Corner
Focusing the LENS on student learning


This month, the Student Learning Committee would like to remind you about an important deadline that is approaching!  Department chairs and program directors must have data from courses being assessed this semester to Academic Services by May 24.  So, please be sure you forward your information to your department chair, program director, or lead instructor as soon as possible before you leave for the semester.

 

Please also remember to take some time over the break to reflect on your assessment results.  Did you meet all your objectives?  Great!  Consider sharing the strategies you used with your colleagues.  Didn't meet all your objectives?  No worries!  Ask your colleagues and peers for advice on what works for them.  Don't forget that the most important reason for assessment at OTC is to ensure and improve student learning through quality instruction.

 

"We plan.  We develop.  We deliver.  We assess and evaluate the results of the assessment.  We revise, deliver the revised material, and assess and evaluate again.  Perfection is always just out of reach; but continually striving for perfection contributes to keeping both our instruction fresh and our interest in teaching piqued."  - E.S. Grassian

 

Have questions or comments? Please feel free to email [email protected].

  

The Student Learning Committee is OTC's faculty-led Assessment Committee.  Please see our folder on the R: drive for more information, meeting minutes, etc.

OTC Fine Art Gallery:  Student Showcase
Art created by spring semester students will be on display

This month, the OTC Fine Art Gallery will feature the works of the college's own students!  Highlighted visual art classes include Drawing I and II, Two-Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Printmaking, Painting I, and Portfolio Development.   

 

An opening reception will be held in the gallery from 6:30-9:30 p.m. during First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 3.  Throughout the evening, the gallery will feature performances from students in various music classes, including Songwriting, Piano, and Classical Guitar I and II, as well as voice and choir students.  Theater 101 students will also be performing short one-act original plays.

 

In addition to the art on display inside the gallery, OTC has once again participated in the annual Storm Drain Reveal Project!  Storm water drains don't make for a typical canvas, but 10 local artists have used them as backdrops for colorful painted murals to raise awareness about clean water.  For the third year in a row, artists have been painting select storm drains in various locations throughout the city as part of the Storm Drain Reveal 2013 is a project of James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) and the City of Springfield Department of Public Works.  The OTC Fine Arts department partners with the JRBP to provide technical assistance - and encourage submissions from students.   

 

This year, six of the ten artists chosen are OTC Fine Art students:  Michelle Ellison, Tracy Pierce, Jordan Choklad, Justine Coleman, Brandon Krone, and Sara Rice.  The other four are local community artists.  During First Friday Art Walk in May, artists will be at their murals and available to talk to the public about their artwork and the Storm Drain Reveal Project.  Project details and progress can be found at www.jamesriverbasin.com.

 

The OTC Fine Art Gallery's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.  The gallery is located on the third floor of the historic Gillioz Theater complex in downtown Springfield.  For more information, contact Kat Allie, Fine Arts and Humanities department chair and OTC Fine Art Gallery manager, by calling (417) 447-8975, or by emailing [email protected].

 

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

Seen at OTC... 
A quick look at what's happening around the college

Restaurateur and entrepreneur Paul Sundy (pictured, with his family) received the 2013 Excellence in Business Award during a ceremony on Friday, April 12.  The event included "A Conversation with Paul Sundy," led by Jim Anderson, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and videos highlighting Sundy's career, community involvement, and family.  Thanks to all who helped make this year's event a success!  

 


Students who received a scholarship from the OTC Foundation had an opportunity to meet the donors responsible at this year's Donor Reception.  The event was held recently at the Tower Club in Springfield; more than 200 people were in attendance.  Pictured:  Jeffrey Gower, chair of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors and president of Wil Fischer Companies, speaks at the event.







OTC hosted Open House events at three of its locations during the month of April.  Admissions representatives and faculty members were available to answer questions about the program options available at each location.   Also, potential students and their families were able to find out more about the many resources offered through the college.




The OTC Springfield Campus held its annual spring picnic on Friday, April 26.  Though rain forced the event indoors, the fun went on as planned!  Booths and tables from a variety of college and community organizations offered information and games for students, a DJ kept the crowd dancing, and much more.  Thanks to all who volunteered their time and energy to make this year's spring picnic a great success!







On Friday, April 26, the children of OTC's Early Childhood Education Center participated in a Trike-A-Thon for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  The children enjoyed the tricycle rides, while earning money to support the work of St. Jude's.  Thanks to all who helped make this event possible!






For more photos of all of these events, visit the OTC Facebook page.

The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Lisa Hearn, Communications Management Coordinator for Financial Aid

 

Describe what you do at OTC in 50 words or less.

I am responsible for importing files from the Department of Education, along with setting up and maintaining financial aid communications for our students.  I also manage the incoming correspondence from our students and ImageNow, and I work with the students who have special circumstances related to their FAFSA. 

 

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

I have been at OTC for six and a half years.  Prior to OTC, I had finished my Master of Arts in Teaching and was the building substitute teacher for Glendale High School. 

 

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

I hope to continue to improve the way the Financial Aid Office communicates with our students. 

 

What is your favorite thing about working at OTC?

The people I work with in Student Services, and helping the students. 

 

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

Being able to hike the beautiful trails. 

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

My marketing teacher in college encouraged me to take an Admissions Representative position at the college, and that is when I discovered I loved working in education. 

  

What do you have on the walls of your office?

I have pictures of my children and some motivational quotes.  

  

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

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Far Side cartoonist Gary Larson, and Susan B. Anthony. 

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

I would write about my family's ancestry.  My mom has gathered a lot of information, and I would like to pass it on to the generations to come in a story. 

 
What were the last three songs played on your iPod?

"I Gotta Feeling," by the Black Eyed Peas; Mozart's Piano Concerto Number 5, and "How Can I Keep from Singing," by Chris Tomlin. 

In This Issue
Community Day a Success
First-Ever Musical Draws a Crowd
Surgical Technology Students Win
Respiratory Therapy Receives Award
Phi Theta Kappa Places 4th Worldwide
Student Learning Committee Corner
OTC Fine Art Gallery
Seen at OTC
The Same 10 Questions We Always Ask
Professional Development Schedule
Campus Notes
Local Happenings
Birthdays
Quick Links

Newsletter Archive
OTC In The News
OTC on Facebook
OTC on Twitter
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Professional Development Schedule


The May 2013 Professional Development Schedule is now available!

Click here to see the calendar!

(Chrome users may need to open the calendar in another browser.)

May is a busy month, so there are limited sessions available.  The "Get to Know OTC" tour is of Information Commons East.  OTC Online and the Information Technology department are offering several sessions, as well.

As always, if you have suggestions or would like to present a session, please contact Marcia Wheeler at [email protected]

Campus Notes

 

  • Come to the OTC Fine Arts Spring Concert and help the OTC choirs go to New York City!  You can help the OTC Concert Choir and Chamber Singers to raise the necessary $1,600 per student by attending this special event.  The concert will be held Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in Lincoln Hall 211.  For more information on the trip to New York, click here.     

 

  • More than 100 students representing OTC's various technical programs participated in two days of competition at the State SkillsUSA Skills and Leadership Conference, held recently on the campus of Linn State Technical College in Linn, Mo.  In the end, OTC's students brought home 34 first place medals, 16 second place medals, and six third place medals, for a total of 56 medals!  Of the state competitors, 28 students have qualified to represent OTC and the state of Missouri at this year's SkillsUSA National Conference, which will be held in Kansas City, Mo., in June.  Congratulations to all the winners!

 

  • OTC's Enactus (formerly SIFE) team placed first at the Enactus USA Regional Competition, held recently in Rogers, AR. This is the ninth Regional Championship for OTC!  The group's presentation at the competition consisted of a presentation/video highlighting their year-long community outreach, education, and business projects. The projects centered on the team's Enactus vision, which includes leadership and sustainability; for success in this, the team was presented the Enactus 4.0 Club award.  The team will travel to Kansas City, Mo., to compete at the Enactus National Exposition May 21-23.  Congratulations to the Enactus team on their success!     

 

  • Nancy Chambers, graduate of the Health Information Technology (HIT) program, has achieved a perfect score on the national certification exam for Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Nancy started OTC's online HIT program after 20 years of working in small business and raising her family. Just prior to graduation in December 2012, she accepted a full-time position with CoxHealth - Audit and Compliance. Upon obtaining her RHIT credential in February, Nancy was advanced to a new position within her department. Her new role has a primary focus on maintaining the charge description master, a computerized system that is used to optimize revenue generation and maintain compliance with third-party payers. Congratulations to Nancy on this exceptional achievement!

 

  • A message from Gretchen Gawron, assistant director of academic advising:  "Thanks so much for the beautiful peace lily that was sent after the passing of my husband's grandmother.  Your thoughtfulness is appreciated by our family."

 

  • A message from Carolyn Cantrell, secretary to the college director of Human Resources, following the loss of her relative:  "Thank you for the plant, kind words, and cards."

 

  • A message from Trish Knox, accounting technician:  "Thank you for the beautiful plant that was sent for my father's passing.  Also, thanks for all the cards and phone calls I received.  I really appreciate your thoughtfulness during this difficult time."  

 

Local Happenings 

 

  • Now-May 5:  "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Landers Theater, downtown Springfield.  In the course of one evening, a prominent southern dynasty is pushed to the brink as memories and secrets are revealed.  The plantation owner and his family have gathered to celebrate his birthday, while sparing him the news that he's dying from cncer.  The play examines the family relationships - and soon discovers that the family has long lived in a web of deceit.  For show times and ticket information, call (417) 869-1334 or visit the theater's website.

 

  • May 3:  ArtsFiesta!, Park Central Square, downtown Springfield.  The Springfield Sister Cities Association's (SSCA) annual celebration of Mexican arts and culture is now in Park Central Square - and is now free!  ArtsFiesta! will kick off the 33rd annual ArtsFest weekend with authentic Mexican arts, crafts, food, and mariachi music from Springfield's sister city of Tlaquepaque, Mexico.  For details, call (417) 864-1341 or visit the SSCA website.

 

  • May 4:  10th Annual May Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Republic Community Center.Join the fun at this annual springtime event!  Registration forms and more information can be found here, or you can call (417) 732-3500.

 

  • May 4-5:  33rd Annual ArtsFest on Historic Walnut Street, downtown Springfield.  As the largest fine arts festival in southwest Missouri, ArtsFest attracts more than 20,000 people each year.  Come shop for original art, sample food from some of Springfield's favorite restaurants, and enjoy dozens of live performances!  For more information, call (417) 831-6200 or visit the ArtsFest website.

 

  • May 10:  National Public Gardens Day, Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, Springfield.  The Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House begins its fifth season in conjunction with National Public Gardens Day!  The Butterfly House will be open and free of charge from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.  For more information, call (417) 891-1515 or visit the Springfield/Greene County Park Board website.

 

  • May 12:  Mother's Day at the Dickerson Park Zoo, Springfield.  Celebrate your mom at the zoo!  Admission is free for mothers all day.  For details, call (417) 833-1570 or visit the zoo's website.

 

Birthdays

 

 

May

 

1    Angela Swift

 

2    Lynnar Hamilton

 

3    Kelly Andekin

 

4    Lisa Reece

      Stephen White

 

5    Linda Szura

 

6    Shanna Grooms

 

7    Lyndsey Fronterhouse

      Amber Shanks

 

8    Donna Graham

 

9    Tim Baltes

 

11  Dana Sherman

      Temenujka Tzaneva

 

12  Tiffany Ford

 

13  Tena Wheeler

      Sam Woelk

 

14  Robert Dale

      Susan Griffitts

 

15  Jack Manes

 

16  Beth Berns

      Bill Dowdy

      Mike Madden

 

17  John Fishback

 

19  Dustin Childress

      Lane Crisp

      Steven Fritts

      Joanna Mendez

 

20  Reggie Hoskins

      Timothy Hyden

      John Rude

      Kip Thompson

 

22  Susan Siemens

 

23  Veronica Lowe

      Ann White

 

24  Jessica Gerard

      Gary Larson

 

25  Marie Pearl

 

28  Travis Garrison

      Matthew Simpson

 

29  Dennis Baier

      Gwen Gilpin

 

30  Aaron Light

 

31  Daniel Kopsas

      Piper Wilson 

Next Newsletter Deadline:  Friday, May 24

 

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 June newsletter is Friday, May 24.   

 

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!

 

[email protected] 

[email protected]