Annual OTC Foundation Scholarship Reception

Each year, the OTC Foundation hosts their annual Scholarship Reception to honor those who support the mission of OTC by providing scholarships to students. This event is also a celebration of the students who earn these scholarships. The scholarship recipients, selected by a committee made up of various members of faculty and staff throughout Ozarks Technical Community College, demonstrate a past excellent academic performance and a promising future.

Annually, the OTC Foundation awards over $700,000 in scholarships, to over 350 students. The Scholarship Reception provides the opportunity for these students to meet their donors and share their story of impact. It also provides the donor the opportunity to share why they decided to start a scholarship at OTC.

OTC Foundation Scholarship Reception connects students and donors

As a single mom attending college, Sarah Emert worked hard to manage life and classes. From donating plasma, cleaning houses and even substitute teaching, she did everything she could to meet her obligations and pay her bills.

But with a kindergartener to care for, a car that needed four new tires, a faulty laptop and limited availability to generate income due to classes and studying, Emert’s goal of becoming a licensed practical nurse was looking out of reach.

“I had the drive, but unfortunately drive and resources are not the same thing,” she said.

For Emert, it was the OTC Foundation that helped bridge the gap between the two. Annually, the OTC Foundation awards over $650,000 in scholarships to 350-plus students. The scholarship recipients, selected by a committee made up of various members of faculty and staff throughout Ozarks Tech, demonstrate excellent academic performance and a promising future, but need help with the resources to turn their goals into reality.

Thanks to the many generous donors who support the Foundation, Emert benefited from the Musgrave Foundation Scholarship and the Joe and Pat Jenkins Memorial Scholarship.

“For me, the OTC Foundation and these scholarships became a resounding ‘yes’ in a growing sea of ‘no’s,’” Emert said.

Emert, who earned her LPN last year and is set to complete RN training at Ozarks Tech in the spring of 2025, shared her story and gratitude as a guest speaker during this year’s OTC Foundation Scholarship Reception.

Each year, the OTC Foundation hosts the annual Scholarship Reception to honor those who support the Ozarks Tech mission by providing scholarships and to celebrate the students who earn these scholarships. The Scholarship Reception also provides the opportunity for students to meet their donors and share their story of impact.

“I will never have the words to fully express what this generosity means,” Emert said to the packed crowd in attendance for the reception. “But thanks to your support, more students like me will become nurses, scientists and artists – all while still being moms, dads, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons and friends.”

To continue reading, please visit: https://news.otc.edu/otc-foundation-scholarship-reception-connects-students-and-donors/

Investing in Tomorrow: Scholarships at Ozarks Tech

A message from scholarship donors and recipients

 

“Your giving matters.

These students take your generosity, that seed, that investment you make, and they build on it for the rest of their lives.

Donate to scholarships at Ozarks Tech and join me as we work together to change the future for one another.”

– Mary Beth Hartman
OTC Foundation board member & scholarship donor

2024 Scholarship Reception Highlights

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