ASH FLAT, AR (April 24, 2021) - Approximately 100 guests gathered at the new Carpenter Technical Center at Ozarka College in Ash Flat on Monday, May 24, 2021 for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of the Ozarka College faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board of Directors attended the momentous occasion to mark the opening of the Center.   The event formally commemorated the naming of the Center, and celebrated the decades-long commitment of FNBC to Ozarka College.  Special guests included members of the Carpenter family, donors, friends and supporters from across the state.

Ozarka College President, Dr. Richard Dawe, welcomed the crowd and provided introductions. He shared his appreciation for the vision of the Ozarka College Board of Trustees, Sharp County stakeholders and, importantly, FNBC and the Carpenter family. "The Carpenter Technical Center would not have been possible without the vision and support of the Ozarka College Trustees and the generous commitment from our friends at FNBC. This further investment in the Ash Flat and Sharp County region has been planned for some time and is an important step forward. " said Dr. Dawe.

Ozarka Board Chairman, Dennis Wiles, thanked those in attendance and spoke to his personal friendship with the Carpenter family. He also noted their instrumental role in Sharp County and their support for Ozarka College over many decades. Remarks were also made by Marty Sellars, FNBC President & CEO; Molly Carpenter Day, FNBC Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations; Martin Carpenter, FNBC Board Chairman; and Jonathan Rhodes, Ozarka Foundation Board member and friend of the Carpenter family.

The new Carpenter Technical Center will provide Ozarka and area high school students with important access to technical education offerings in multiple high demand fields; including Automotive Service and Diesel Mechanics, Precision Machining, and Welding Technology. The Center will also serve as a regional hub for workforce training and development for Sharp County communities and beyond.

For more information about the Carpenter Technical Center, please contact Marcus Orf, Carpenter Center Director by calling 870.994.0996.

*If you did not receive a program at the ribbon cutting ceremony and would like one, please contact the Ozarka marketing office at 870.368.2045 or email: marketing@ozarka.edu.