Dr. Dennis and Christy Rittle of Melbourne have committed $10,000 to the Ozarka College Student Services Center Capital Campaign.

"This donation, which Christy and I have made to the Student Services Center, is foundational to who we are as a philanthropic family," said Dr. Rittle. "In addition, we firmly believe that education is one of life's best returns on investment because it is an investment which gives back over one's lifetime. So, the decision to donate monies so that adult learners could be successful at bettering their lives was a no-brainer. The only question for us was, how much should we contribute? We are convinced that any initiative worth giving towards will require some discomfort. So, we have gladly given accordingly."

Their contribution will pay for the Exterior Courtyard Plaza, a beautiful landscaped exterior courtyard plaza space that will become the focal point of student activity on campus, located outside of the Student Services Center on the Melbourne Campus. 

Dr. Rittle is the provost and executive vice president of learning at Ozarka College and Christy is a chemistry instructor at Highland High School.

"We are grateful for the very generous commitment to Ozarka College on behalf of Dr. Rittle, his wife Christy and his family," said Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College president. "Their commitment to our college and the communities we serve is very strong and sincere. I am very proud to have Dr. Rittle serving in the critical position as provost at Ozarka."

Ozarka College broke ground on Monday, Dec. 2, on the two-story 18,560 square-foot building that will house all student services, various individual and group study areas, community meeting rooms, a video conferencing center, additional banquet space for college and community use, and a state of the art culinary learning lab.

The "Students at the Center" capital campaign is a bold step to raise the quality of educational and student support services at Ozarka College to new heights. The campaign will help ensure student success and will enhance the campus to create a more community-centered learning environment.

Mike Watson of Ash Flat and Connie Moser of Calico Rock, both Foundation Board members, are serving as co-chairs of the capital campaign steering committee. 

Donation levels range from $2,500 to furnish an office space up to $250,000 for building naming rights. 

The Ozarka College Foundation, a non-profit organization, as well as the Ozarka College Board of Trustees, will ensure the funds are used for expressed purposes.

For more information about giving opportunities to the "Students at the Center" capital campaign, please contact Carol Langston, executive assistant to the president and development officer, at 870-368-2006 or carol.langston@ozarka.edu.

 

The Ozarka College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible on itemized tax forms.