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The Computer Science department holds a unique tradition that takes place each year as partners join faculty and students in the Silver Dollar City room to pray for the students and briefly introduce themselves to each other.
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On May 7, College of the Ozarks hosted its annual Celebration of Student Scholarship at The Keeter Center. Featuring projects from 10 areas of study, select departments displayed student work, recognizing their academic excellence and personal achievement.
The Computer Science department holds a unique tradition that takes place each year as partners join faculty and students in the Silver Dollar City room. Here, they gather in a circle, pray for the students, and briefly introduce themselves to each other.
Dr. Cheri Kembell, associate professor of computer science, shared why this tradition is important to her.
“I value this tradition because it's the one time each year that this impressive group of industry professionals comes together with our capstone students literally standing shoulder to shoulder,” Kembell said. “Many partners return year after year to invest in our small but vibrant computer science community. Our partners speak to the students as if they are already young professionals, and it creates a meaningful moment of transition for them.”
Alumnus returns to encourage students
Tanner Maason is a C of O alumnus (Class of 2022) who graduated with his degree in computer science and business management. As a senior in college, he worked many hours on his capstone project, Swell: Food & Mood, a health and wellness app rooted in nutritional psychiatry. While the project sat dormant for several years after graduation, Maason was motivated to start working on the project once again. Swell, which started as a senior capstone project, is now an app available to be downloaded.
This year, Maason returned to the College to encourage students and share with them his story at the Celebration of Scholarship.
“I loved my time at C of O, and my cohort's Celebration of Scholarship was one of the most memorable moments,” Maason said. “It was the culmination of hundreds of hours of work, presented in front of real industry partners — it meant a lot to all of us. Being invited back to experience that day from the other side of the table is an honor. I'm excited to share what I've learned in industry, and to reconnect with faculty and staff I haven't seen in a few years.”
Students with various majors presented personal research accumulated throughout their college careers. Departments that participated included the following: applied nutrition, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, engineering, horticulture, music, nursing, and physical education & health.