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As I complete my first quarter as Executive Director of the Ozarks Tech Foundation, I find myself reflecting on just how many firsts this season has held — and how grateful I am for every one of them.
From the very beginning, what has struck me most isn't just our programs or facilities — it's the people. Everywhere I go, I meet alumni, donors, community partners, and friends who believe deeply in what Ozarks Tech makes possible. Their generosity is not transactional. It is personal. And hearing their stories has been one of the greatest honors of this new role.
One of my first opportunities to see our mission up close was through the Ozarks Tech in Action event at our Richwood Valley Campus. Watching students work hands-on in physical therapy, paramedicine, agriculture, animal science, and beyond was genuinely moving. A few of our brave guests even experienced a simulation cow birth firsthand! It's one thing to talk about experiential learning; it's another to see it happening in real time. If you've never visited one of our campuses, please reach out. We would love to welcome you.
Spring also brought my first Ozarks Tech Commencement Ceremony. Watching students cross the stage — knowing their investment in balancing work, family, and life alongside their studies — was humbling. Among those graduates were scholarship recipients whose journeys were made possible by donors like you. That connection between your generosity and their achievement is something I will never take for granted.
Commencement was also my first time celebrating our Distinguished Alumni, and what a class to start with! Erica Gaynor and Owen Aldridge embody everything this recognition stands for: professional excellence, community leadership, and a deep connection to the education that helped shape their paths. Their stories are featured below, and I encourage you to read them.
Summer has not slowed things down. The Foundation has already awarded more than $542,000 in charitable scholarships to almost 400 students for the upcoming fall semester, the result of our generous donors and the dedicated college employees who volunteer countless hours to read every essay and carefully weigh every application. Over 1,500 students applied this year, a number that tells an important story: more students than ever are seeking support, and we must meet that need. Increasing scholarship funding is one of our top priorities for the coming year.
Looking ahead, I hope you will join us for what will be another first. The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Michael L. Parson Student Union takes place August 12. This facility represents a transformational investment in our students, and celebrating its opening with the community will be a milestone we won't forget.
During Welcome Week at The U, we're inviting alumni and friends to catch Movie Night on the lawn and a Paver Party at the Fall Picnic.
And finally, thanks to the extraordinary support of our sponsors and partners, our 20th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Point-C, is nearly sold out. Two decades of this event. Twenty years of scholarships, connections, and community. If you've never joined us, this is the year to get involved.
Thank you for making all these firsts possible. Big things are ahead for Ozarks Tech as we continue to provide high-quality affordable education and fulfill the needs of our community.
I can't wait to see what we build together from here.
With gratitude,
Stephanie Matthews
Executive Director - Ozarks Tech Foundation
Ozarks Technical Community College
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