C of O honors Missouri’s First Lady, Teresa Parson, with first annual Ozarks Women in Leadership Award

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — On Monday, Oct. 28, the Ozarks Women in Leadership luncheon took place on the campus of College of the Ozarks. Women from around the region who exemplify leadership joined to network and recognize outstanding leadership by female students and other leaders of the community.

College of the Ozarks celebrated an extraordinary milestone by awarding Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson with the first annual Ozarks Women in Leadership Award. This prestigious recognition, presented at The Keeter Center, celebrates women whose leadership positively impacts the lives around them and aligns with the College’s values.

“Teresa Parson’s life exemplifies leadership and service that extends beyond duty, reaching deep into the heart of her community,” said Laura Lacey Johnson, First Lady of College of the Ozarks. “Her commitment to education, support for children, and advocacy for Missouri’s families and Veterans are inspiring examples of what it means to lead with both compassion and conviction. Mrs. Parson demonstrates the values we cherish at College of the Ozarks: stewardship, hospitality, and a steadfast dedication to others.”

The event also featured a keynote address from distinguished guest S. Maria Lohmeyer, who shared insights from her notable career, including her work as Chief of Inaugural Ceremonies for the 58th and 59th Presidential Inaugurations. Lohmeyer’s roles in the U.S. Congress, the White House, and the U.S. Navy have cemented her legacy as a leader, and her speech underscored the values of integrity and service that the College strives to instill in its students.

Attendees included regional female leaders, community members, and College of the Ozarks students, who gathered to celebrate and engage in meaningful discussions about leadership, legacy, and service.

Dr. Sue Head, vice president for cultural activities and institutional advancement, opened the event. She presented the history of the group’s formation and expressed the group’s desire to encourage women in leadership. First Lady Laura Lacey Johnson opened the event in prayer.

The OWL Luncheon also awarded the OWL Scholarship to select female students for their academic excellence and leadership, underscoring the College’s commitment to fostering the next generation of impactful female leaders. Dr. Natalie Rasnick, dean of development, gave supporting comments and introduced the following scholarship recipients: junior Micah Jacobs, senior Micah Arnold, and senior Rylee Scott.

For more information on the Ozarks Women in Leadership Award or scholarship, or future events, please contact Abigail Buschman, director of development, at (417) 690-2209.

For more information, contact the College of the Ozarks Public Relations Office 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 and the Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 from ConventionSouth magazine. The Keeter Center features historic lodging, fine dining, and meeting rooms. With more than 350 student workers, it is the largest workstation on campus.