Jim & Barbara Towery
Jim and Barbara Towery are dedicated supporters of Ozarks Tech who share a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. Jim has served on the Ozarks Tech Foundation Board of Directors since 2009 and has been a strong advocate for the college’s growth and impact on the region.
Jim built a successful career in the trucking industry and first became closely connected to Ozarks Tech in 2006 while working with college leadership to help launch a truck driver training program. He was impressed by the college’s responsiveness and commitment to meeting workforce needs, an experience that reinforced his confidence in the institution’s mission. He continues to value Ozarks Tech’s ability to adapt and serve industry demands, particularly through programs such as diesel technology, which prepare students for careers in high-demand fields.
Jim’s support is also personal. As a community college graduate himself, he understands the value of accessible, affordable education and the opportunities it can create. Barbara Towery shares this belief, emphasizing that education not only provides career skills but also fosters a lifelong love of learning. Together, they recognize Ozarks Tech as a pathway for students to build better futures and create lasting change in their lives.
Impact
Jim and Barbara Towery’s commitment to student success is reflected in the establishment of the Jim and Barbara Towery Scholarship in 2015. Through this scholarship, they provide financial support to students pursuing their educational goals at Ozarks Tech.
Their generosity helps reduce barriers to education and empowers students to complete their programs and enter the workforce with confidence. Rooted in their shared belief that education can break cycles of poverty and create opportunity, the Towerys’ support continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ozarks Tech students.