9/11 Memorial Ceremony held at College of the Ozarks

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Today, on Sept. 11, 2025, College of the Ozarks held a special ceremony to commemorate the lives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.

The keynote speaker was Maj. Gen. Charles D. Hausman, who serves as the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. Hausman has served in the U.S. military for over three decades in various roles. He has commanded aviation units, held key leadership roles, and been deployed worldwide. Hausman holds advanced degrees in aviation safety and national security and is a highly decorated U.S. Army officer with numerous awards.

“To the students here today, you’re the reason we gather,” Hausman said. “The reason we remember. You’re living proof that patriotism is alive and well in this nation. Embrace the responsibility of carrying forward the lessons of 9/11 and strive to build a future worthy of the sacrifices made on that day. And to our first responders, the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency personnel … Your continued service is a testament to the enduring strength of our communities. You remind us that heroes walk among us every day, quietly and selflessly dedicating their lives to protecting others.”

The ceremony included a welcome by Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks; music from the College of the Ozarks Concert Band; the raising of the New York State 9/11 Memorial Flag by Taney County Sheriff Brad Daniels and Paul Kirk with TCAD; a special presentation by the School of the Ozarks fifth-grade students; and a symbolic volley by Ted Martin, fire chief of the Branson Fire Department, and Chris Berndt, fire chief of Western Taney County Fire Protection District.

More About Major General Charles D. Hausman

Hausman assumed duties as the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, Jefferson City, Missouri, on Feb. 1, 2025. As the adjutant general, on behalf of the governor, he provides command and control of more than 12,000 Missouri National Guard soldiers, airmen, federal and state employees. He ensures the Missouri National Guard is manned, trained, equipped and resourced for its dual state and federal missions.

Hausman, a native of Saint Joseph, Missouri, holds a Bachelor of Science in aviation technology and a Master of Science degree in aviation safety from the University of Central Missouri, as well as a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988, joined the Missouri National Guard in 1989 and transferred to aviation in 1993. Gen. Hausman’s most recent assignment was deputy director of the Civil Protection Center of Excellence in Washington, D.C. He has served in various command roles, including commander of the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade. He has also held key staff positions such as deputy adjutant general and director of aviation and safety for Joint Force Headquarters; deputy commander, 70th Troop Command; and executive officer of the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Hausman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve/Spartan Shield.

Hausman’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with numeral two, and the Master Army Aviator Badge. He is qualified in the TH-67, UH-1 Huey, AH-1 Cobra, AH-64D Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk and is qualified as an instructor pilot in the OH-58A/C and AH-64A Apache.

For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.

About College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian, liberal arts college, located in Point Lookout, Missouri, on a 1,000-acre campus. Christian values, hard work, and fiscal responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U.” experience. The College earns numerous accolades yearly, including No. 2 Best Performers on Social Mobility-Regional Colleges in the Midwest and No. 4 Best Regional College in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 2024-2025 and No. 3 Best Bang for the Buck by Washington Monthly, 2024. To achieve its vision, the College pursues academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic, and cultural goals. These goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, a laboratory school that completes the K-college model.

The Keeter Center — the College’s award-winning lodge, restaurant, and conference facility — earns awards consistently, including the TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award 2024 for dining, Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2025 for lodging, and the Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 from ConventionSouth magazine for meeting and event spaces. The Keeter Center features historic lodging, fine dining, and meeting rooms. With more than 350 student workers, it is the largest workstation on campus.