Bill and Ann Turner
To say that Bill and Ann Turner, along with the Turner Family Foundation, are just backers of Ozarks Technical Community College would be a tremendous understatement. “The Turners have been cheerleaders of OTC since day one, and we are grateful to have their support,” said Ozarks Technical Community College Chancellor Dr. Hal Higdon.
Since 1999, the Turner Family Foundation and the Turner family have made numerous gifts to the College, in support of student scholarships and awards to outstanding faculty and staff. One of the many gifts from the Turner Family Foundation included funding for the expansion of the Information Commons West building on the OTC Springfield Campus creating the Turner Family Foundation Student Lounge. “Their generosity and dedication to higher education is appreciated, and we are pleased to have an opportunity to recognize them for it,” Dr. Higdon said.
Bill Turner, president of Great Southern Bank, and his wife, Ann, have been closely involved with the College and the OTC Foundation for many years. Mrs. Turner served as a founding member of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors from 1996-2006, including one term as president. Additionally, daughter Julie Turner Brown held a Board position from 2006-2011. The relationship between the Turner Family Foundation and OTC goes back to something Bill Turner noticed about the College when it opened. “I saw OTC educating people who would be qualified to get jobs right off the bat. OTC graduates are ready to go to work,” Mr. Turner said.
Impact
The Turner Family Foundation plays a large part in getting OTC students a step closer to their goal with the Turner Family Foundation scholarship. One recipient expressed her gratitude: “The scholarship opened doors for me to be able to study and concentrate. It put my mind at ease and I was not as stressed. I am able now to make a success of myself,” Haley said. OTC helps the community with classes designed for businesses, Mr. Turner said. “OTC looks into the needs of others in the community. They are very flexible and we’re proud to be a part of that," Mr. Turner said.