The Ozarka College Foundation received a charitable contribution in the amount of $15,000 from Centennial Bank, a gift to support the Carpenter Technical Center capital campaign in Ash Flat.    

"Centennial Bank's investment to the college is evident today, " said Ethan Barnes, Loan Officer for Centennial Bank and Ozarka College Foundation Board Member. "We take great pride in supporting our local communities. The future of our economies and labor markets depend on training students for real world jobs-like what Ozarka College is doing in Sharp County. " Barnes continued, "The skillset a student will receive by the time the program is completed is invaluable. We are pleased to illustrate the partnership between Centennial Bank and Ozarka College. "

This contribution will pay to furnish and equip an advanced technology classroom in the Center. The space will offer a 21st Century learning experience, access to the latest digital classroom technologies and an appropriate complement to the advanced laboratory experiences received throughout the Center.

 "This commitment to technical education provided by our friends at Centennial Bank will have a powerful impact on future generations of Ozarka students, " said Dr. Richard Dawe, president of Ozarka College. "We are grateful for their generosity and proud of the Centennial Bank commitment to our College and the communities we serve. "

The Carpenter Center opened this past fall and currently offers Automotive and Diesel Technology programs.   Driven by community and local economic needs, the Center will also introduce Industrial Machining and Welding Technology programs later this year. The Center will house advanced technical education for college students in preparation for today's workforce as well as enable area high school students an accelerated pathway into high-demand career fields.  

Centennial Bank's gift comes after Ozarka's designation as a regional Secondary Technical Center by the Career Education and Workforce Development Board.   The College now offers secondary technical training to area high school students.   Secondary technical centers are designed to provide career and technical education programs too costly for the local high schools to offer.

The commitment from Centennial Bank is a large contribution toward Ozarka College Foundation's fundraising campaign, an effort to raise capital to advance programs as well as furnish and equip state-of-the-art facilities.   If you are interested in supporting these new technical education opportunities, there are multiple giving opportunities available. For more information, contact Dr. Josh Wilson with the Ozarka College Foundation at (870) 368-2060.

**PHOTO: (L-R) Nathan Criss, Market President (Centennial), Marcus Orf, Carpenter Technical Center Director (Ozarka College), Ethan Barnes, Loan Officer (Centennial), Trisha Bushey, Branch Manager (Centennial).