Staff, students renovate C of O building

Point Lookout's work college has faculty and students on the job for a new patriotic education building.

College of the Ozarks is establishing The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education at a former on-campus day care building, said spokesperson Valorie Coleman. Renovations began in earnest this summer for the project that's slated for completion next year.

"We always try to use predominantly student labor, as this works in conjunction with our mission as a work college," she said via email, noting nForm Architecture LLC designed the project.

Plans for the 6,700-square-foot building call for classrooms for patriotic education and military courses, a drill room and media center.

The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education is named after the donor foundation that funded the center.

“The overarching purpose of the center is to better prepare our students to reestablish the America our founders intended,” said Marci Linson, vice president for patriotic activities and dean of admissions, in a news release.

College of the Ozarks' patriotic education curriculum includes military science, civics, government and current events. The school has a work-tuition model through which students have jobs on campus to pay for their education.