Hard Work U

 

We had heard Mom and Dad talk about 

the College of the Ozarks

for many years.

In the gift shop.

Every time my parents would come out to Missouri 

it was a favorite stop for them.

Yesterday we got to experience this really smart

and beautiful college for ourselves.

Here is the concept:

The students work their way through

and don't pay a penny of tuition.

They still pay room and board unless they 

stay and work through the summer.

This is just one small part of 

the hotel and restaurant lobby.

The fireplace was just stunning!

Jobs are available in all aspects of 

the restaurant and hotel,

farming, gardening, maintenance, electrical plant,

the mill, fire and police, on and on it goes.

If it needs to happen on campus there is likely 

a student doing the job.

We ate in the restaurant for lunch

and it was so cool knowing that everything we ate

was produced there on the campus.

Including the beef in the hamburgers 

and the pork in my Quesadilla.

Our waiter is in his final year.

He is so excited to have landed a great job

in a restaurant in Orlando.

The students are sought after by employers 

because of their reputation of experience 

and hard work.

I tried and tried to get a good photo of this guy....he was too skinny for the camera to think was the object of my attention.

Another program at the school that I found

to be very special is the veteran and student

program.  The school will match up veterans with one 

or more students and then they will travel to the place

where the veteran served.

He will then tell them first hand about his 

experiences.

What a way to preserve history.

Love it.

Apparently President Bush was impressed too.

This photo of a photo shows him meeting with 

some of the veterans.

So often I take for granted the service 

and sacrifice others are now giving or have given.

Out here in Branson

they do not forget.

We visited the Mill,

it is a working mill where they grind

grains for their biscuit mix, breads,

and whatever else they need flour for.

Also in the mill is the weaving center.

Students weave all kinds of beautiful items 

for sale.  

Then we were off to the Chapel.

It is beautiful.

I can just imagine many of the alumni coming

back to have their weddings here.

 

This is a blatantly Christian college.

It is one that is doing their students a service in requiring much

while rewarding them with a college degree without debt.

They leave this place with practical experience

and pride in a job well done.

This was not the only thing we did yesterday but

since it is so picture laden I'll share more another day.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

We are off to squeeze in as much as we can on 

our last day in Branson, Missouri.