Historic Milestone: OTC Awards First Bachelor’s Degrees to Local Graduates

Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Missouri awarded bachelor’s degrees for the first time at its 2024 commencement ceremony. This event, held on May 16, 2024, at the Great Southern Bank Arena on the Missouri State University campus, marked the first time a Missouri community college has granted such degrees. Graduates Daniel Bowles, Samantha Gonzalez, and Jade Humphreys received a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, a program started at OTC in January 2023.

The process to introduce bachelor’s degrees at OTC began in 2021 after the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approved the proposal. This expansion included a new respiratory therapy laboratory at OTC Waynesville to enhance practical learning.

At the ceremony, OTC Chancellor Dr. Hal Higdon spoke about the college's role in educational innovation in the state and commended the graduates for their hard work. The ceremony also featured a keynote speech by Tom Douglas, CEO of JMARK and a Navy veteran, who discussed the value of hard work in achieving a fulfilling life.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.