The Ozarka College Foundation recently received a $15,000 contribution from Andy and Caitlin Baker, owners of Urban Forge in Mountain View. The significant investment will be used to support Ozarka's Technical Center expansion in Mountain View.   Specifically, this generous gift will support renovations and construction as well as secure a naming sponsorship for the new Grinding and Fabrication Lab.

"The generous support provided by Andy and Caitlin will greatly impact our ability to provide quality training to students in Stone County and the surrounding region, " said Dr. Josh Wilson, vice president of advancement. "The support from members of the Mountain View community has been incredible and the Bakers' commitment is another example. We are extremely grateful for the Baker's investment in Stone County. "

Andrew and Caitlin Baker are entrepreneurs who love making a positive impact in their community. With deep family roots in Stone County through Andrew's mother, they can't imagine a better place to raise their own family. They're dedicated to creating better economic futures for their neighbors and future generations by investing in education and growing Urban Forge into a stronger local economic driver.

"My grandfather, Edwin Cartwright from Fifty Six, helped teach me the value of using both your mind and your hands to accomplish meaningful work. I believe in the vision of Ozarka College to focus on skilled trades and we are confident this will be one of many powerful investments in the future of our community. "

The new Technical Center in Mountain View is a technical training expansion to serve the greater Stone County region. The Center will house a new Skilled Trades program and an expanded Welding Center. The new Center will provide education for college students in preparation for today's workforce, will assist local industries with continuing education needs for their employees, and will enable area high school students an accelerated pathway into high-demand career fields.

Ozarka is a designated regional Secondary Technical Center which allows the College to offer secondary technical training to area high school students, a vital resource for developing career pathways for students.

The commitment from the Bakers is a contribution toward the Ozarka College Foundation's Vision for Excellence in Education 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 ways to give. For more information, contact Dr. Wilson with the Ozarka College Foundation at 870.368.2060 or at advancement@ozarka.edu.

If you are interested in training for welding or skilled trades, registration is now open. Apply online at www.ozarka.edu or call Kim Lovelace, Mtn. View Campus Director, at 870.269.5600 to enroll today!