Fogle leaves his imprint on OTC

Brian Fogle's career at Ozarks Technical Community College will end June 30, but his legacy will continue.

During Fogle's vice presidency, the programs under the OTC institutional development umbrella community relations and public information, grants writing and human resources have made significant strides, which Fogle attributes to the OTC staff.

On the community relations/public information front, "I think the awareness of (OTC), what we do, the successes we've had, that's just increased. And a lot of that I think is due to creating that awareness through public information," Fogle said.

Another factor in enhanced awareness is "having a real campus," Fogle said.

Also, OTC now has its first full-time grant writer.

"That's really going to help us especially as state monies become tougher and tougher," Fogle said. "Grants become more important, as do private funds."

Another major emphasis for Fogle has been staff development. "We've really tried on the human resources side to get more into training and development of staff," Fogle said. "When you're the fastest growing community college in the country, its really hard to keep up."

With 20 years of experience in the local banking arena and a deep-seated love for working in community development, Fogle's new position at Great Southern Bank was made for him.

If such an ideal position had not come up, "I would be at OTC still," he said.

Norman K. Myers, OTC president, laments losing Fogle.

"He's done a terrific job here and we're going to miss him," said Myers. "It's a very friendly parting, but we're just a little disappointed because he did do a great job here."

Because of the state funding crunch, Myers added, there are no immediate plans to replace Fogle.

"It is bittersweet leaving here because I have met so many friends," Fogle added. "As I've told folks here, I'm terminating employment, but not friendships or bonds with OTC."

And those bonds go back a long way.

"We knew him from the very beginning," Myers said. "He was the fellow who was handling the tax anticipation warrants for Boatmen's Bank back in 1990 when the college first got started. That's when I first met him."

He added, "We're going to wish him well, and we're still going to be in contact and I expect we'll still work some together."

After all, "it's not like he's leaving town or anything."