POINT LOOKOUT, MO. College of the Ozarks continued the groundbreaking CitizenTrip® that began in 2019 as part of their Patriotic Education Program.

The College sent 40 seniors on an intensive trip to Washington D.C., at no cost to the students from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30. The seniors had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol, as well as the National Mall, which encompasses the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The trip also included locations like the Museum of the Bible, the National Archives Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. 

The students heard from World War II Veteran Ken Lutrell at the World War II Memorial, as well as Vietnam Veteran Tom Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

“The purpose of the CitizenTrip® is to make it possible for College of the Ozarks students to visit America’s capital city and to be personally introduced to the history of the United States,” said College of the Ozarks President Brad Johnson. “We are pleased to offer this enriching experience for our students, where learning comes to life in the halls of leadership, through the national monuments, and amid the fields of white markers at Arlington National Cemetery.”

The trip is an integral part of fulfilling the patriotic goal of College of the Ozarks, which is to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibility, love of country, and willingness to defend it.

The trip was hosted by The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education at College of the Ozarks. The Center was dedicated on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2021. 

“The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education is a hub for the College’s many patriotic offerings, including the CitizenTrip®,” said Dr. Marci Linson, Vice President for Patriotic Activities. “The vision of The Knight Center is to revive historic American values and virtue in youth, and for students to experience our nation’s capital in-person is an excellent way to work toward that vision.” 

Following are the members of faculty and staff who accompanied the students on the trip: Dr. Marci Linson, vice president for patriotic activities and dean of admissions; First Lieutenant Andrew Ashley, instructor of military science; Dr. Jim Anderson, professor of behavioral science; Nurse Karen Shepherd, associate professor of nursing; Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities; and General James Schreffler, associate professor of military science.