On April 13, 2017, the FNBC Student Commons Area at Ozarka College was filled with enthusiasm and positive energy from attendees of the Ozarka College Spring Gala. Ozarka's Foundation hosted this event with the theme, "Supporting Higher Education: The Key to Success " and the presenting sponsor was Centennial Bank.   Pam Setser, Vice Chair of the Ozarka College foundation board and Business Development Officer at Centennial Bank-Mountain View, welcomed the crowd of more than 275 attendees. Matt Rush, Secretary of the Ozarka College foundation board, offered a blessing prior to attendees enjoying a steak dinner prepared by Ozarka College's Culinary Arts Department.

Tim Crouch, Danny Dozier, and Pam Setser played live music throughout the event. Dr. Richard Dawe, Ozarka College president, shared remarks about the importance of this event, successes of the College in the past year, and how together, everyone plays a key role in helping our students succeed. Some of Ozarka's current students were featured in a video, created by Blayne Allan Stewart. Angie Duncan, Ozarka College alumna, spoke about her experience at Ozarka College as a non-traditional student. She attended Ozarka as a wife, mother, and continued to work in her first career field. She had such a wonderful experience that her husband, Rodney later attended Ozarka, as well as one of her children. Angie and her family like many other Ozarka students, graduated debt free thanks to generous donors who fund scholarships.

Foundation Board Chair, Mike Watson, prepared guests for the live auction that would close out the evening's festivities. He announced that Sissy's Log Cabin donated a beautiful set of emerald and diamond earrings that each highest bidder would be entered into a drawing for a chance to win at the end of the auction. Tony Watson then auctioned off several items that were generously donated by local community members and businesses. Mike then shared closing remarks and thanked everyone who attended the 2017 Spring Gala.  

Special thanks to presenting sponsor: Centennial Bank, and corporate sponsors: Arch Westmoreland Farm Supply, Bank of Cave City, Baxter Regional Medical Center, Evolve Bank and Trust, First Community Bank, FNBC Bank, Freedom Ford, Gammill Oil Company, Garry and CarolAnne Lawrence, G.H. Miller and Sons, Ozark Adult Personal Care, Valic, and White River Health Systems. Also, thank you to the table sponsors: AirReady, Artisan Sports Bar and Grill, BancorpSouth, Cooper's Hawk, Corner Drug Store, First Service Bank, John Gay, Hatfield Ready Mix, Izard County Propane, Mark Martin Chevrolet, Mark Martin Dodge, Mohawk Industries, Mike Watson State Farm, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Pain Treatment Centers of America, and Trendy Tribe/Big Spring Farm and Home Supply.