Convocations and Forums

Sarah Palin visits in December, 2009

Dave Ramsey visits in October, 2011

The Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Community Convocation Series hosts internationally-renowned speakers, recognized for their character and leadership. Speakers provide a keynote address reinforcing institutional values, and often assist the College with honoring others who through their own good citizenship, character, and success serve as role models.

 

Most recently, the College hosted financial advisor and best-selling author Dave Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey produced his national radio program from C of O, and was the featured speaker at the Gittinger Convocation on October 4, 2011.

 

In 1999, Dr. and Mrs. Leonard B. Gittinger endowed the Community Convocation Series, which enabled speakers such as Franklin Graham, Colin Powell, James Baker, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Brokaw, and Sarah Palin to share their life experiences with the College of the Ozarks family and friends. Many of the speakers have risen from humble beginnings and inspire College of the Ozarks students to pursue high goals.

The Center hosts a forum each spring. In this gathering, prominent national leaders discuss important issues. Forum themes rotate among the topics of character, citizenship, and the work ethic, which are core values of College of the Ozarks. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors participate in the exchange of ideas during lectures and small group discussions. Thanks to a generous endowment from the Thoreson Foundation, the Center hosts cadets from each of the nation’s U. S. Military Academies at the forums. Along with College of the Ozarks students, their discussions focus on the importance of character in developing leadership skills.

Most recently, the College hosted President George W. Bush at the 2011 Leadership and Character Forum. Other former Forum speakers include President Gerald Ford, Bob Dole, Newt Gingrich, and Ben Stein.