Ozarka College will receive $1,500 from the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show through its 'Greening of Arkansas' grant program. The funds will support landscaping the Ozarka College plaza and courtyard, a central commons and green space near the new Student Services Center, located at the heart of the Melbourne campus.

With this grant award, Ozarka College will purchase five large trees to bring seasonal beauty to the commons area. The trees will serve as the final touch to the plaza and courtyard development project made possible by a $10,000 gift from Ozarka College Provost and Executive Vice President, Dr. Dennis Rittle and his family.

The plaza and courtyard will serve as a central gathering area for all who visit the campus.   As construction of the new Student Services Center comes to a close, the plaza and courtyard area will emerge as a funnel for communal activity.   The commons space will draw students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to the center of campus where amenities, services, classes, and community programs will be only steps away.

This space is expected to beautify the college with an arrangement of walkways that will border manicured lawnscaping in the courtyard and shaded picnic-style seating on the plaza.   The commons area will naturally attract all patrons to the heart of campus.

For more information about the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show 'Greening of Arkansas' grant, please contact Josh Wilson, Ozarka College Grant Administrator at 870.368.2042 or email: josh.wilson@ozarka.edu.