Jim Moore, managing partner of Strafford-based American Products LLC, and his wife, Cathy, have donated $25,000 to the OTC Foundation, the fundraising arm of Ozarks Technical Community College, fulfilling the Moores' initial pledge of $100,000.
The donation will support the school's Middle College program, which helps underachieving students earn their high school degrees while receiving college credit at no cost. The program is currently available only to Springfield Public Schools students but will open to other area school partners in fall 2011, according to an OTC news release.
"The Moores’ gift will provide much-needed support for the growing Middle College program,” OTC President Hal Higdon said in the release. “They have recognized the value of what this program offers to area students, and their generosity is greatly appreciated.”
Jim Moore is member and former president of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors. American Products LLC is a metal stamping and fabrication company.
“We are grateful for the commitment to education demonstrated by Jim and Cathy Moore,” Cliff Davis, executive director of the OTC Foundation, said in the release. “Gifts like theirs help us to continue providing the education and training southwest Missouri has come to expect from OTC.”[[In-content Ad]]
A new and improved Reed Academy is being constructed on the middle school’s original site to preserve a neighborhood connection that goes back a century.