College of the Ozarks
Encyclopedia
College of the Ozarks is a private
, Christian
liberal-arts college, with its campus at Point Lookout
near Branson
and Hollister
, Missouri
, United States
. It is 40 miles (64.4 km) south of Springfield
on a 1000 acres (404.7 ha) campus, overlooking Lake Taneycomo
. The college has an enrollment of 1,500, a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 16:1, over 30 academic majors, and degrees in Bachelor of Arts
or Bachelor of Science
.
The College charges no tuition for full-time students, due to its student work program
and donations. The program requires students to work 15 hours a week at an on-campus work station and two 40-hour work weeks during breaks. A summer work program is available to cover room and board costs. The college refers to itself as "Hard Work U.", and places emphasis in character education. Its mission since its establishment in 1906 is "to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to procure such training."
by James Forsythe, pastor of the Forsyth, Missouri
Presbyterian Church. Forsythe was from the St. Louis, Missouri
area.
Forsythe was said to have been inspired to make the proposal after encountering a boy on a squirrel hunt who told him that his parents couldn't afford to send him to the closest high school 40 miles (64.4 km) away in Springfield, Missouri
.
The School of the Ozarks opened on September 12, 1907, in a 75 by building atop Mount Huggins (named for brothers Louis and William Huggins from St. Joseph, Missouri who were among the founders of Nabisco
and had donated money for the school). In its first term it had enrollment of 180 with 36 boarders.
From the start, the school adopted its practice of having its students work instead of paying tuition.
On January 12, 1915, the original building burned. School was temporarily held in Forsyth with five students graduating in 1915.
at Point Lookout, Missouri
on a 16 acres (6.47 ha) campus. The central building of the campus was the Maine Hunting and Fishing Club building which had been transported to the site by sportsmen from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair where it been the State of Maine
exhibit. It was renamed the Dobyns Building in honor of W. R. Dobyns, president of the trustees at the time. The building burned on February 1, 1930.
In the 1920s what would become the Ralph Foster Museum depicting Ozark heritage had its start in the basement of the boys' dormitory: Abernathy Hall.
In 1934 the Fruitcake
and Jelly
Kitchen opened to offer work for students. It is now one of 90 work stations. More than 100 fruitcakes are now baked daily.
The campus expanded to 1400 acres (567 ha), the school's Gothic chapel was built on the location of the original Dobyns Building and a hospital was added.
In 1956, with high schools becoming increasingly available in the area, the school became a junior college
.
The Museum of the Ozarks took over the entire Abernathy Building and was renamed the Good Museum for president Good. It was later renamed for country music pioneer Ralph D. Foster
, who donated money and exhibits for it. The museum expanded in 1969, 1977 and 1991. Among the exhibits is an original George Barris
1921 modified Oldsmobile
Beverly Hillbillies truck donated by series creator Paul Henning
who was inspired to do the show after a Boy Scout camping trip in the Ozarks. The museum also contains a large firearm display including a rifle belonging to Pancho Villa
.
In 1973 the Wall Street Journal described College of the Ozarks as "Hard Work U." The name has stuck as school motto and the school has trademarked it.
In 1990 it was renamed the College of the Ozarks.
In 1994 the AAUP
American Association of University Professors
censured and condemned "The governing board and administration of College of the Ozarks" for actions which "violate the principles of academic freedom and tenure". The investigation described the atmosphere of the campus as "a strange blend of Orwell and Jonestown".
In the 2003-2004 semesters a professor at C of O highlighted that one of the college's dean's, Larry Cockrum, had received his P.H.D. from Crescent City Christian College (a fraudulent college run out of a coach's basement). The Professor which brought this information to light was then suspended for the 2004 semester, and his contract was not to be renewed for the fall semester. C of O's president Jerry C. Davis defended the dean with the fraudulent degree, while terminating the muckraker. The Dean, Larry Cockrum, later resigned.
In an Associated Press
story, featured on the online edition of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 (with some details from the Springfield News Leader) it was announced that former President George W. Bush
would be the scheduled speaker at an event on Thursday, April 7, 2011. He will speak on the topic "Leadership and Character." Past speakers at the event have included former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Colin Powell
, and former 2008 Republican Party Vice Presidential nominee and Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin
.
(NAIA) level in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference
. Men compete in baseball
and basketball
. Women compete in basketball and volleyball. The 2005-2006 men's basketball team won the NAIA Division II national championship, while the Lady Cats were the runner up. The men's team was second in the basketball tournament in 2000 and 2009.
Since 2000 Keeter Gymnasium
has been host to the NAIA Division II Basketball Championship games
.
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
, Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
liberal-arts college, with its campus at Point Lookout
Point Lookout, Missouri
Point Lookout is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States, near Branson and Hollister. A college town, it is next to Lake Taneycomo and is home to the College of the Ozarks. College of the Ozarks hosts the NAIA Division II basketball tournament annually.Point Lookout is...
near Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
and Hollister
Hollister, Missouri
Hollister is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,426 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is 40 miles (64.4 km) south of Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
on a 1000 acres (404.7 ha) campus, overlooking Lake Taneycomo
Lake Taneycomo
Lake Taneycomo is a man-made lake or reservoir on the White River in the Ozark Mountains of Taney County, Missouri. The reservoir is named for the county in which it is located: Taney County, MO....
. The college has an enrollment of 1,500, a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 16:1, over 30 academic majors, and degrees in Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
or Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
.
The College charges no tuition for full-time students, due to its student work program
Work college
A work college is a type of institution of higher learning where student work is an integral and mandatory part of the educational process, as opposed to being an appended requirement...
and donations. The program requires students to work 15 hours a week at an on-campus work station and two 40-hour work weeks during breaks. A summer work program is available to cover room and board costs. The college refers to itself as "Hard Work U.", and places emphasis in character education. Its mission since its establishment in 1906 is "to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to procure such training."
Forsyth
The school was first proposed in 1901 as a high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
by James Forsythe, pastor of the Forsyth, Missouri
Forsyth, Missouri
Forsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
Presbyterian Church. Forsythe was from the St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
area.
Forsythe was said to have been inspired to make the proposal after encountering a boy on a squirrel hunt who told him that his parents couldn't afford to send him to the closest high school 40 miles (64.4 km) away in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
.
The School of the Ozarks opened on September 12, 1907, in a 75 by building atop Mount Huggins (named for brothers Louis and William Huggins from St. Joseph, Missouri who were among the founders of Nabisco
Nabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
and had donated money for the school). In its first term it had enrollment of 180 with 36 boarders.
From the start, the school adopted its practice of having its students work instead of paying tuition.
On January 12, 1915, the original building burned. School was temporarily held in Forsyth with five students graduating in 1915.
Point Lookout
The school then relocated farther up the White RiverWhite River (Arkansas)
The White River is a 722-mile long river that flows through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Missouri.-Course:The source of the White River is in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest southeast of Fayetteville...
at Point Lookout, Missouri
Point Lookout, Missouri
Point Lookout is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States, near Branson and Hollister. A college town, it is next to Lake Taneycomo and is home to the College of the Ozarks. College of the Ozarks hosts the NAIA Division II basketball tournament annually.Point Lookout is...
on a 16 acres (6.47 ha) campus. The central building of the campus was the Maine Hunting and Fishing Club building which had been transported to the site by sportsmen from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair where it been the State of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
exhibit. It was renamed the Dobyns Building in honor of W. R. Dobyns, president of the trustees at the time. The building burned on February 1, 1930.
In the 1920s what would become the Ralph Foster Museum depicting Ozark heritage had its start in the basement of the boys' dormitory: Abernathy Hall.
In 1934 the Fruitcake
Fruitcake
Fruitcake is a cake made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and soaked in spirits. A cake that simply has fruit in it as an ingredient can also be colloquially called a fruitcake. In the United Kingdom, certain rich versions may be iced and decorated...
and Jelly
Fruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
Kitchen opened to offer work for students. It is now one of 90 work stations. More than 100 fruitcakes are now baked daily.
1950s expansion
In the 1950s under Robert M. Good and M. Graham Clark the school dramatically changed.The campus expanded to 1400 acres (567 ha), the school's Gothic chapel was built on the location of the original Dobyns Building and a hospital was added.
In 1956, with high schools becoming increasingly available in the area, the school became a junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
.
The Museum of the Ozarks took over the entire Abernathy Building and was renamed the Good Museum for president Good. It was later renamed for country music pioneer Ralph D. Foster
Ralph D. Foster
Ralph David Foster , was an American broadcasting pioneer and philanthropist who created the framework for Springfield, Missouri to challenge Nashville, Tennessee as the nation's country music capital during the 1950s...
, who donated money and exhibits for it. The museum expanded in 1969, 1977 and 1991. Among the exhibits is an original George Barris
George Barris (auto customizer)
George Barris is a designer of custom cars.-Early history:George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. After the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design...
1921 modified Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
Beverly Hillbillies truck donated by series creator Paul Henning
Paul Henning
Paul William Henning was an American producer and writer. Most famous for the successful TV sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, he was crucial in the development of several "rural" comedies for CBS.-Early life:...
who was inspired to do the show after a Boy Scout camping trip in the Ozarks. The museum also contains a large firearm display including a rifle belonging to Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or its hypocorism Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals....
.
1960s to present
In 1965 it became a four-year college.In 1973 the Wall Street Journal described College of the Ozarks as "Hard Work U." The name has stuck as school motto and the school has trademarked it.
In 1990 it was renamed the College of the Ozarks.
In 1994 the AAUP
AAUP
AAUP may refer to:*American Association of University Professors*Association of American University Presses...
American Association of University Professors
American Association of University Professors
The American Association of University Professors is an organization of professors and other academics in the United States. AAUP membership is about 47,000, with over 500 local campus chapters and 39 state organizations...
censured and condemned "The governing board and administration of College of the Ozarks" for actions which "violate the principles of academic freedom and tenure". The investigation described the atmosphere of the campus as "a strange blend of Orwell and Jonestown".
In the 2003-2004 semesters a professor at C of O highlighted that one of the college's dean's, Larry Cockrum, had received his P.H.D. from Crescent City Christian College (a fraudulent college run out of a coach's basement). The Professor which brought this information to light was then suspended for the 2004 semester, and his contract was not to be renewed for the fall semester. C of O's president Jerry C. Davis defended the dean with the fraudulent degree, while terminating the muckraker. The Dean, Larry Cockrum, later resigned.
In an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
story, featured on the online edition of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 (with some details from the Springfield News Leader) it was announced that former President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
would be the scheduled speaker at an event on Thursday, April 7, 2011. He will speak on the topic "Leadership and Character." Past speakers at the event have included former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
General Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
, and former 2008 Republican Party Vice Presidential nominee and Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
.
Athletics
The College of the Ozarks Bobcats and Lady Cats compete on the National Association of Intercollegiate AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA) level in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference
Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference is an affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics . Its nine member institutions are located in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.-Members:...
. Men compete in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. Women compete in basketball and volleyball. The 2005-2006 men's basketball team won the NAIA Division II national championship, while the Lady Cats were the runner up. The men's team was second in the basketball tournament in 2000 and 2009.
Since 2000 Keeter Gymnasium
Keeter Gymnasium
Memorial Fieldhouse and Keeter Gymansium is a 3,500 seat arena for College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout, Missouri.The Fieldhouse, located at the corner of Cultural Court and Opportunity Avenue, like other buildings on the campus was built with student labor fulfilling their "Hard Work U"...
has been host to the NAIA Division II Basketball Championship games
NAIA national men's basketball championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship has been held annually since 1937 . The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities...
.
Facilities
- Williams Memorial Chapel
- The Keeter Center
- The Ralph Foster Museum
- Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen
- Edwards Mill
- McKibben Hall
- Lake Honor
- Green House
- The Dairy and Tractor Museum
- Lyons Memorial Library
- Memorial Dorm
- Ashcroft Dorm
- McDonald Dorm
- Foster Dorm
- Mabee Dorm
- Youngman Dorm
- Kelce Dorm
Special recognition
- U.S. News & World Report, "Best College" yearly since 1989; ranked 29 among Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor's (Midwest) for 2007
- Templeton Honor Roll, "Character Building College"
- Money Magazine's, "Best Buy College Guide"
- Barron's, "300 Best Buys in Higher Education"
- Princeton Review, "The Best 331 Colleges"
Notable alumni
- Lennie AleshireLennie AleshireLeonard Harrison Aleshire was a versatile American vaudeville and later country music performer from the 1920s into the 1960s. A singer, dancer and songwriter, he was also half of a musical comedy duo, Lennie and Goo Goo, with Floyd Rutledge...
, vaudeville star - Terrence R. Dake, Marine general
- Mike DuncanMike DuncanRobert M. "Mike" Duncan was the 60th Chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was elected in January 2007, replacing Ken Mehlman, and served until January 30, 2009, when he withdrew from renomination to the chairmanship...
, former chairman of the Republican National Committee - Bettis GarsideBettis GarsideBettis Alston Garside , better known during his life as B.A. Garside, was an author, an executive for several philanthropic organizations focused on China, and an educator.-Early life:...
, missionary and author - Zilphia HortonZilphia HortonZilphia Horton was American musician, community organizer, educator, Civil Rights activist, and folklorist. She is best-known for her work with her husband Myles Horton at the Highlander Folk School where she is generally credited with turning such songs as "We Shall Overcome", "Keep Your Eyes on...
, civil rights activist - John R. HubbardJohn R. HubbardJohn Randolph "Jack" Hubbard was the eighth president of the University of Southern California between 1970-80. He succeeded Norman Topping and was succeeded by James Zumberge. He had served as USC vice president and provost in 1969 after spending four years in India as chief education adviser to...
, president of the University of Southern California (honorary degree) - Willis RickettsWillis RickettsWillis Harvey "Bubs" Ricketts was the Republican Party gubernatorial nominee in the U.S. state of Arkansas in 1962, having been overwhelmingly defeated by the incumbent Democrat Orval Eugene Faubus...
, Arkansas politician - April ScottApril ScottApril Scott is an American actress and model. She has appeared on television programs such as Deal or No Deal and CSI: Miami, she also starred in the direct-to-video prequel to the Dukes of Hazzard movie, and the films, Living Will, The Penthouse, I Do...I Did, Coma, Nitetales: The Movie, and...
, actress - Richard H. ThompsonRichard H. Thompson-Biography:He was born on September 24, 1926 in New York City, New York. He entered in the Army in November 1944 and advanced to the grade of staff sergeant before being commissioned a second lieutenant. He served first at Fort Hamilton and then was assigned to Japan, where he performed duties as...
, Army general
Presidents
- 1906 - A. Y. Beatie
- 1907 - George Gordon Robertson
- 1907 - W. I. Utterback
- 1910 - F. O. Hellier
- 1911 - George K. Knepper
- 1913 - William L. Porter
- 1915 - John E. Crockett
- 1916 - George L. Washburn
- 1920 - Thomas M. Barbee
- 1921 - R. M. Good
- 1952 - M. Graham ClarkM. Graham ClarkMontague Graham Clark, Jr. was an educator who played an integral role in the development of College of the Ozarks. Dr. Clark served as president of School of the Ozarks and was president emeritus and chairman of the board emeritus of College of the Ozarks until 2001...
- 1975 - Howell W. Keeter, Chancellor
- 1981 - James I. SpainhowerJim SpainhowerJames "Jim" Spainhower is a U.S. Democratic politician from Missouri. He served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives and two terms as the Missouri State Treasurer.-Early life:...
- 1982 - Howell W. Keeter, Acting
- 1983 - Stephen G. JenningsStephen G. JenningsStephen G. Jennings became the 22nd president of the University of Evansville on 1 June 2001. He retired effective May 31, 2010Since 1983, Jennings has served as president at three other colleges including Oklahoma City University...
- 1987 - William D. Todd, Interim
- 1988 - Jerry C. Davis