COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS GRADUATES RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT ITS 104TH COMMENCEMENT

At the 104th College of the Ozarks Commencement, a record number of 338 students received their bachelor’s degrees.

Among the bachelor candidates was the second class to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College’s nationally-accredited Armstrong-McDonald School of Nursing. Two ROTC cadets, Austin Truelove and Brent Turpin, were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army.

The College also awarded three honorary degrees in recognition of outstanding achievement and greater distinction in professional and civic leadership.

In honor of her public service to Missouri and the nation, the College presented United States Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (Missouri, 8th District) a Doctor of Public Service.

Dean of the College Dr. Marilyn C. Graves received a Doctor of Laws for her 40 years of dedicated service to College of the Ozarks.

Vice President Dr. Howell W. Keeter, too, was awarded a Doctor of Laws for his 40 years of dedicated service to College of the Ozarks.

Congresswoman Emerson, the first Republican woman to represent Missouri in Congress, gave the Commencement address. She shared with students the importance of preparation and hard work for leadership in the 21st century.

Commencement was held the afternoon of May 8.

College of the Ozarks is a fully-accredited, four-year Christian liberal arts college where students work campus jobs for their college education, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt free.

Branson, MO – Branson Entertainment Network announced today the launch of a brand new Television Show, The Circle B Variety Show.

The 30 minute live-to-tape show will feature members of the Horn family, the Riders of the Circle B and a special guest each week. It will be filled with songs, jokes and interviews similar to the old variety shows of the past.

“The show is about bringing wholesome entertainment back to television,” says Musical Director Michael Horn.

The Circle B Variety Show will be filmed at the Circle B Ranch just off the Branson 76 strip at 200 JoJess Parkway and is free to the public. Doors open at 10:30 am every Friday in May and the second two Fridays in June.

You can see The Circle B Variety Show on demand on several web-cast related Branson websites including www.bransonnetwork.com. The show will make its debut on May 13th with special guests Jim Barber and John and Sara Tweed.

More and more producers are flocking to the new world of online broadcasting due to the high cost of production and declining viewership of traditional television media. This show will bring a worldwide audience to Branson and show the travelers of the world why we are known as the Live Entertainment Capitol of the World.

For more information or to reserve your seat, please call the box office at (417) 336-1828 or 1-800-678-6179.

COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS ACADEMIC DEAN RECEIVES DOCTOR OF LAWS IN HONOR OF 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

For her 40 years of dedicated service to College of the Ozarks, Dean of the College Dr. Marilyn C. Graves received an honorary Doctor of Laws at the 104th Commencement, held May 8.
It is customary and proper for institutions of higher education to confer honorary degrees to recognize outstanding achievement, public service and leadership.
Dr. Graves began working at the College in 1970. Since that time, she has been a professor, coach, division chair, and now Dean.
Dr. Graves started the women’s basketball and volleyball teams and served as their first coach. She also has been instrumental in the administration and organization of the annual NAIA Men’s Division II Championship hosted by the College annually.
This past fall, the College announced that the new practice gymnasium of the athletic complex would be named for her.
College of the Ozarks is a fully-accredited, four-year Christian liberal arts college where students work campus jobs for their college education, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt free.

C OF O VICE PRESIDENT RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTOR OF LAWS IN HONOR OF HIS 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

For his 40 years of dedicated service to College of the Ozarks, Vice President Dr. Howell W. Keeter received an honorary Doctor of Laws at the College’s 104th Commencement, held May 8.
It is customary and proper for institutions of higher education to confer honorary degrees to recognize outstanding achievement, public service and leadership.
Dr. Keeter began working for the College in 1970. Since that time he has served as the Work Coordinator, Chancellor, Board of Trustees member, interim President, and now Vice President.
He is an avid support of the College’s athletic program and was instrumental in helping the College become the host school of the annual NAIA Men’s Division II Basketball Championship.
This past fall, the College named its athletic complex in his honor.
College of the Ozarks is a fully-accredited, four-year Christian liberal arts college where students work campus jobs for their college education, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt free.

On Saturday, April 30th Seishin Ryu Karate students from the Branson Sports Club participated in a National karate tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Seishin Ryu Martial Arts Association (S.R.M.A.A.) offers a National tournament each year that brings in students and branch schools from across the U.S. and Canada. Cole Crabtree, 9th kyu white belt, participated in the Youth White Belt division for Kata and earned the first place championship trophy for junior white belts. Kennedy Mattox, 9th kyu white belt, participated in the Adult White Belt division for Kata and earned the first place championship trophy for adult white belts. They each had some very tough competition in their divisions. They persevered and performed their techniques perfectly. We congratulate them on their accomplishment!

Their instructor, Sempai Vashon Borich, 2nd dan black belt, competed in the men’s and women’s black belt divisions. In the first two events, empty hand kata and weapons kata, she placed 3rd and received bronze medals for each. For sparring she placed 2nd and received the silver medal. By medaling in all three events her overall point standings earned her the 2011 S.R.M.A.A. Grand Championship trophy for male and female black belts.

The Branson branch of Seishin Ryu Karate, taught by Sempai Vashon Borich, has been active at the Branson Sports Club since August 2010. Seishin Ryu Karate is a traditional Japanese-style martial art founded in 1970 by Soshu Lee Dawson, 9th Dan. New students are always welcome. For more information, please visit http://bransonsportsclub.com/ or call 417-334-5927.

Long time Seattle musician Dave Raynor has been awarded the guitar chair
for music legend Andy Williams. Dave traveled to Branson in May 2010 to
play guitar and sing for Bill (The Righteous Brothers) Medley. After the season
Dave was called by Andy Williams music director and asked if he could
audition for the Andy Williams band in Branson MO. On April 20th, 2011
Dave was informed that he had been given the gig. Dave will be at the Moon
River Theater and play Andy Williams world renown Christmas Show until
the end of 2011. The Andy Williams Christmas show will also perform at the
Royal Albert Hall in London in December 2011. Dave says…’It’s a great
honor to have the chance to play with such a legend as Andy Williams.”

When Buck Trent says, “Oh Yeah”, and gives his famous thumbs up signal, you know you’re in for another world-class performance. As a two-time CMA Instrumentalist of the Year, Mr. Buck is much more than a world renown 5 string banjo picker! His performance is exhilarating, fast-paced, family-friendly, and fun as he incorporates hilarious country humor, singin’, banjo-pickin’, and a variety of country music including bluegrass, southern gospel, and the good ol’ classics sung by featured vocalist Kenny Parrott. Joining Buck this year will be Terri Williams, who has an impressive career as a vocalist and entertainer doing songs by Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton, to name a few. Dean Holman who will also join the team this year showing off his multi-talented abilities on such instruments as the dobro, steel guitar, and banjo. Come join us at the Clay Cooper Theatre and start off your day with Mr. Banjo, Buck Trent!