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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

OTC's Higdon Named Recipient of 2017 Missourian Award

Dr. Hal Higdon
Submitted Photo
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OTC

The chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College is this year’s recipient of the Missourian Award. Dr. Hal Higdon will be formally acknowledged at a ceremony next month.

The Missourian Award — established in 1994 by Mr. Ralph Slavens — honors outstanding Missourians who have made widespread contributions to the state through civic, business, arts or political work. Honorees are selected by nomination and chosen by a committee of past recipients.

Dr. Higdon has served OTC as chancellor and president of the Springfield campus since 2006. In a news release, the college cites Higdon’s focus on workforce training, leading to expansion of its online offerings and new programs in allied health. During this time, OTC enrollment increased by more than 44 percent. Dr. Higdon also oversaw the physical expansions of the OTC System with new campuses in Christian and Taney counties, and centers in Lebanon and Waynesville.

Funding has grown under Higdon’s leadership, including completion of two successful capital campaigns for the OTC Foundation netting more than $32 million for the college.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the CoxHealth Systems, Burrell Behavioral Health and the Springfield Business Development Corporation, along with the Community Relations Board of the U. S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners and the Board of Directors for the United Way of the Ozarks.

Higdon will receive the 2017 Missourian Award at the 24th annual ceremony September 23 at Chateau on the Lake in Branson.