Ozarka College
Encyclopedia
Ozarka College is a two-year public post-secondary institution located primarily in Melbourne, Arkansas
, with satellite campuses in Mountain View and Ash Flat, and class offerings in Mammoth Spring, Salem and Viola. Serving the populations of Izard, Stone, Fulton, and Sharp
counties, Ozarka has benefited greatly from the Arkansas legislature passing ACT 1244, which permitted it to grow into a full fledged community college. This was done as part of a wider movement to transform Arkansas' technical schools into community colleges.
The school opened in 1975 as Ozarka Vocational-Technical School and was renamed to Ozarka Technical College by the Arkansas legislature in 1991. In 1999, it dropped the word Technical from its name to emphasize its wider range of programs. Currently the college enrolls approximately 1,300 students per semester.
In 1996 the Ozarka College was accredited by The Higher Learning Commission
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
.
In 2002, the college received a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) donation to serve as the site of a distance learning center in Ash Flat, Arkansas
. The donation came from First National Bank of Sharp County and Bob Watson of Brooksville, Florida
. It had an assessed value of 105,000 dollars.
In 2008 a new 9200 square feet (854.7 m²) structure designed by Rico Harris of Harris Architecture in Hot Springs, Arkansas
was completed to accompany the existing 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) building.
In 2004 the college's library was renamed to Paul Weaver Library to honor the senator Paul Weaver due to his contribution to Ozarka College and its community.
Melbourne, Arkansas
Melbourne is a city in Izard County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,673 at the 2000 census. The town is the county seat of Izard County, and home to the main campus of Ozarka College.-Geography:Melbourne is located at ....
, with satellite campuses in Mountain View and Ash Flat, and class offerings in Mammoth Spring, Salem and Viola. Serving the populations of Izard, Stone, Fulton, and Sharp
Sharp County, Arkansas
-External links:*...
counties, Ozarka has benefited greatly from the Arkansas legislature passing ACT 1244, which permitted it to grow into a full fledged community college. This was done as part of a wider movement to transform Arkansas' technical schools into community colleges.
The school opened in 1975 as Ozarka Vocational-Technical School and was renamed to Ozarka Technical College by the Arkansas legislature in 1991. In 1999, it dropped the word Technical from its name to emphasize its wider range of programs. Currently the college enrolls approximately 1,300 students per semester.
The Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission oversees the accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities in nineteen Midwestern and South-Central states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa,...
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
.
In 2002, the college received a 30 acres (121,405.8 m²) donation to serve as the site of a distance learning center in Ash Flat, Arkansas
Ash Flat, Arkansas
Ash Flat is a city in Fulton and Sharp counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 977 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Sharp County.-Geography:Ash Flat is located at ....
. The donation came from First National Bank of Sharp County and Bob Watson of Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville is an incorporated city in Hernando County, Florida, in the United States. It is the county seat of Hernando County. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. It had an assessed value of 105,000 dollars.
In 2008 a new 9200 square feet (854.7 m²) structure designed by Rico Harris of Harris Architecture in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
was completed to accompany the existing 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) building.
In 2004 the college's library was renamed to Paul Weaver Library to honor the senator Paul Weaver due to his contribution to Ozarka College and its community.