Despite having to postpone due to severe weather threats, the Ozarka College Foundation's Spring Gala was a huge success. The 2015 Spring Gala took place on April 30, in the FNBC Student Commons Area of the Student Services Center, at Ozarka College in Melbourne, Arkansas.  

This year's theme was, "Celebrating 40 Years Strong! " and the presenting sponsor was Centennial Bank.   Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College President, welcomed the crowd of more than 250 attendees and spoke about the College's forty years in Higher Education. Dr. Dennis Rittle, Ozarka College Provost and Executive Vice President of Learning, offered a blessing prior to attendees enjoying a steak dinner, prepared by Ozarka College's culinary arts department.

After guests were served a wonderful meal, Foundation Board Member, Matt Rush, honored an original Ozarka College student, Ms. Bonnie Dawe. He paid tribute to her successes in life and painted a picture of what it was like to be an Ozarka student forty years ago. He then introduced current Ozarka College student speakers, Courtney Lock and Jacob Shuler.

Lock spoke about her experiences of moving to Izard County from Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was nervous when she first entered the doors of Ozarka College for a number of reasons, but primarily because she did not know anyone. She spoke about how welcomed she felt and how helpful all of the staff she encountered was. While pursuing her degree, she became active in the Student Government Association and served as Vice President of the Melbourne campus chapter. She was also inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and became a student worker in the Office of Admissions.

"It's been neat seeing people, just like me, arrive at Ozarka and begin their college journey, " said Lock. "I like being able to encourage them, and really mean it when I tell them, !everything is going to be okay.' "

Lock, who has now completed an Associate of Arts degree in teaching, and graduated Cum Laude, added that graduation would be bitter sweet. Though she feels prepared to transfer to a four-year University, she is going to miss everyone at Ozarka.

Shuler shared his personal experiences of traveling the states with his family throughout his childhood, while doing mission work. This lifestyle required that he and his brother be homeschool students, and after completing all required coursework, they learned that the education system they had participated in could not award him a high school diploma. He was devastated, but didn't become detoured from earning a college degree. His family eventually settled in Mountain View, Arkansas and it was there that his college journey began, starting with earning his GED.

Shuler's GED test scores qualified him for the New Horizons scholarship and he has now completed an Associate of Science degree in Business. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and served as Vice President of the Student Government Association at the Mountain View campus.

Foundation Board Member, Mike Watson, spoke about the importance of raising funds for scholarships, so Ozarka College can continue to grow and provide a solid education to students just like Lock and Shuler. He also explained a bit of a twist to this year's auction, which was made possible by Sissy's Log Cabin, who donated a beautiful ruby and diamond ring. The name of each person who was the highest bidder of an auction item was placed in a drawing. After Auctioneer, Tony Watson, of Watson, Watson, and Watson Auction Services auctioned off the final item in the live auction, each highest bidder stood. As their name was called, they had to sit down. The last person standing, David Harris, won the ruby and diamond ring. He then presented it to his wife, Georgia. The Harris' reside in Highland, Arkansas.

Ozarka College Board of Trustees Chairman and Centennial's Community Bank President, Bob Evins, shared closing remarks. He thanked everyone who attended and expressed his appreciation for those who work daily to improve the lives of Ozarka College students.  

Special thanks to presenting sponsor: Centennial Bank, and corporate sponsors: CenturyLink, Freedom Ford, G.H. Miller and Sons, Mark's Pharmacy/SonShine Shoppe, Reeve's Propane, White River Health Systems, and Valic.   Also, thank you to the table sponsors: AirReady, Andy Peeler, Arch Westmoreland Farm Supply, BancorpSouth, Bray Law Firm/Izard County Abstract, Cooper Realty, First Community Bank, First Service Bank, FNBC Bank, Gammill Oil, Hatfield Ready Mix, Mark Martin Chevrolet, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Paul Miller Motors, Simmons First Bank, Skeeter Beene's/Izard County Propane, The Lemon Tree Boutique/CSI, and Tucker Auction and Wholesale.