[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS

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                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay honor to an institution 
celebrating its centennial milestone this month. College of the Ozarks 
is an institution of higher learning that for many years was known as 
``The School that Runs on Faith.'' This small Christian college, 
located in the hills near Branson and Hollister, Missouri, has seen its 
share of struggle and triumphs. But central to the College is its 
mission of providing a Christian education to young people from the 
Ozarks who are deserving, yet financially unable to procure such 
training.
  Originally, the purpose of The School of the Ozarks, also known by 
its students and graduates as ``Hardwork U,'' was to provide an 
opportunity for a high school education. This mission was pursued 
without significant change until 1956, when The School of the Ozarks 
added 2 years of junior college to the 4-year high school program. This 
format continued until 1964 when the Board of Trustees and the faculty 
voted to expand the 2-year program into a 4-year liberal arts program. 
The 4-year college program of The School of the Ozarks began classes 
for juniors in September 1965. In 1990, the Board of Trustees approved 
changing the operating name of The School of the Ozarks to ``College of 
the Ozarks.''
  The distinctive tradition of the work program and the College's 
commitment to its five-fold mission of academic, spiritual, cultural, 
vocational, and patriotic growth in its students has attracted and 
continues to attract famous guests, including U.S. Presidents and First 
Ladies, U.S. Commanding Generals, Prime Ministers, and other 
dignitaries who recognize its uniqueness. Today, the College offers 
degrees in 34 academic areas, and student enrollment is approximately 
1,400.
  More than ever, our country needs young men and women with these 
values to serve as leaders. Dr. R. M. Good, who led the school during 
the Depression years once said, ``Investments in humanity bring 
substantial and sure dividends.'' This is why the College has a renewed 
commitment this centennial year to continue its worthy, distinct 
mission--a tradition that works. It is these things--a respect for and 
appreciation of our roots and work tradition, as well as the prospect 
of a promising future--that College of the Ozarks will celebrate 
throughout its centennial year.
  I want to wish College of the Ozarks another 100 years of service to 
the region, educating and inspiring students with a curriculum that 
emphasizes character, faith and excellence.

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