Mike Huckabee to Speak At College of the Ozarks Graduation Ceremony

College of the Ozarks will hold its Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 10, 2008, in Keeter Gymnasium, where 251 students will receive a diploma. Baccalaureate service will be at 11 a.m. and Commencement is at 2 p.m., followed by a reception on Kelce dormitory’s lawn.

The Honorable Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas Governor, will give the Commencement address. Huckabee graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, completing his bachelor’s degree in religion in 2 ½ years, before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

With roots in Hope, Arkansas, Huckabee first was elected Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in a 1993 special election and was elected to a full four-year term in 1994. He served as 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007. Last year, Huckabee campaigned for the Republican nomination for President, finishing second in the Republican Presidential Primary.

Presently, Huckabee hosts a weekend news show on the FOX News Channel, as well as hosts a daily radio commentary on ABC radio.

Dr. James T. Draper, Jr., retired President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, will give the Baccalaureate service. LifeWay Christian Resources is one of the largest Christian communications companies.

Dr. Draper earned his bachelor’s degrees from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He obtained his master of divinity from Southwestern Seminary and has received doctoral degrees from Howard Payne University, Campbell University and California Baptist University.

Dr. Draper has authored 27 books, including We Believe, Trusting Thy Word and Every Christian is a Minister.

A long-time Baptist minister and prominent figure in the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Draper served as the Convention President from 1982-1984; was the Chairman of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees 1990-91 and trustee member 1984-1991; and has been a trustee of Baylor University, Southwest Baptist University and California Baptist University.

Please join C of O in recognizing the graduating seniors’ accomplishments at the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Tickets are not required, but seating is limited for both ceremonies. For more information, contact the office of the Dean of the College at (417) 690-2278.

College of the Ozarks celebrates 101 years with 101 lb Fruitcake

College of the Ozarks is celebrating 101 years by baking a 101 pound fruitcake (Full PR College of Ozarks to bake record fruitcake).

Inspirational Humorist Bryan Townsend is scheduled to speak at the college on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. (Full PR)

Tony Snow to Visit Branson Area

Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow will be visiting the Branson area on December 6th to speak at College of the Ozarks.
College of the Ozarks is allowing reservations via phone starting October 15th.
The full press release and contact information is posted here on Branson Agent.

College of the Ozarks in 2008 Edition of Princeton Review’s BEST 366 COLLEGES

Parents of College of the Ozarks students - or perspective parents - must be really eating the Princeton Review's take on CofO.

College of the Ozarks is included in the following top 20 lists:

#4 – Scotch and Soda, Hold the Scotch
#4 – Stone-Cold Sober Schools
#4 – Got Milk?
#6 – Future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution
#7 – Students Most Nostalgic for Ronald Reagan
#10 – Students Pray on a Regular Basis
#10 – Town-Gown Relations are Great
#11 – Don’t Inhale
#12 – Best College Theater

View Full Press Release:

CofO Character Education Director Sue Head on SBJ's List of 20 Most Influential Women

Hat tip to Sue Head for her nomination by the Springfield Business Journal's 2007 list of most influential women in our region.

College of the Ozarks Featured in New York Times Education Section

The New York Times printed an article today about College of the Ozarks in the education section of the paper today. Kathleen Coffey sent the press release below:

College of the Ozarks was featured in the Education section of the July 25 edition of The New York Times. The article, written by Joseph Berger, is entitled “Fight Song at Ozarks: Work Hard and Avoid Debt.”
The article showcases the College and its unique work-study program, which allows an average of 95 percent of students to graduate debt-free by working 15 hours a week on campus to offset the cost of tuition.
In the write-up, several students give firsthand accounts of working at college to pay for tuition, and most are appreciative of the opportunity. Three of four students, Berger explains, have family incomes which qualify for Federal Pell grants of up to $4,310. Not only does work-study offset the cost of tuition, it gives C of O students a different outlook on a college education, which Berger illustrates with quotes from various students such as sophomore Sarah LeDoux.
“I find I take more pride in doing well in class when I know I’ve washed dishes to be able to take that class,” says LeDoux.
Berger also cites Roger Lehecka, the former dean of students at Columbia University and a consultant to scholarship programs. Lehecka says that working 15 hours a week at an institution such as Columbia would earn the student roughly $6,000 for two semesters, which would barely make a dent in its $45,000-per-year price tag.
College of the Ozarks was previously featured in the Jan. 4, 1998 Times Education Life section as a sidebar that accompanied an article entitled, “A Free Bachelor’s. No Kidding.”

Branson Area Realizes the Communist Dream

 

This shot reminds me of my favorite poem contained in my 5th Grade textbook. It was written in regards to industrialization and the movement of America from an agrarian society.

Carnation Milk
Carnation Milk is the best in the land
Here I sit with a can in my hand

No tits to pull, no hay to pitch
you just put a hole in the sonofabit..

College of the Ozarks is an institution where you can get an education in exchange for 15 hours hard labor per week. You can work in your field during your last couple of years and leave with a diploma debt free. The Keeter Center, at the entrance includes an excellent menu with milk pulled from the cows outside...fresh. Whole wheat flour and an assortment of other products from the mill can be found in the gift store at the Keeter center. They're a whole lot cheaper than the grocery store - if your local mart even has such products. If your visiting the Branson area, this unique institution is a must see.
Students must live be a strict standard. Last year, several star basketball players were expelled for attending a party busted by Hollister PD. The suspensions and expulsions came at the price of back to back NAIA basketball championship rings.
The speakers the school has brought to the Branson Area is impressive and include George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Next , expect British Prime Minister Tony Blair to speak.
I think of College of the Ozarks like this: Take the communist dream - remove the communists - add Christianity, sprinkle democracy and wallah...

Branson Area Students Starve Hunger

For the 15th year College of the Ozarks students participated in a 30 hour famine to raise money for hungry children in the Third World. Donations accepted at four locations throughout the Branson were matched eight to one with federal funds. Every ten dollars gathered feeds a starving child for 90 days.
The sacrifice of food and adequate shelter helps students understand the needs of those they’re helping. Freshman Mandy Boswell of Springfield sees the experience as part of her spiritual path, “Lately the Lord has been teaching me about humility … when Jesus came to this world he made himself in the likeness of a servant, this is a perfect opportunity to honor others above myself.”
Makeshift cardboard shelters provided students with their only available housing as they braved both rain and heavy wind. In preparation for the event student Kit Alarid prepared by studying images sent by the sponsoring organization. Though her exposure to hunger first hand is limited she found the images to be “startling and very convicting.”
At 5 a.m. rains caused cardboard structures to collapse and event coordinator Linda LeNeve reminded students that some living in the Ozarks are having the same experience without choice.
Three years ago only three students participated, this year 72 students made the commitment to take part. A new component was added this year and in addition to fasting camps setup at K-mart on Hwy 248 Wal-Mart in Branson, Branson West and Ozarks some students are stayed behind on campus to pray for those in the field. Each location had trained musicians in reaction to an incident several years back when a harmonica player, who only knew one song, made hunger a secondary discomfort.
Last year students raised $4,869.68 and after funds are counted they hope to have risen more this year. CofO campus ministries focuses heavily on mission trips throughout the world and administrators hope as “students feed their souls to starve hunger” they’ll also be inspired to show compassion and continue a tradition of good works towards their fellow man.
Those wishing to make a donation can call CofO Campus Ministries Department at 417-334-6411 Ext 3446