School of the Ozarks holds Commencement Ceremony for 26 students on May 10

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — School of the Ozarks held its Commencement Ceremony at Williams Memorial Chapel on Saturday, May 10, celebrating the graduation of 26 seniors. Of the graduating class, 17 students committed to furthering their education at College of the Ozarks.

“This is the 13^th commencement since School of the Ozarks reopened,” said Dr. Brad Dolloff, dean of School of the Ozarks. “The Class of 2025 set a goal of being known for their willingness to serve. They have definitely achieved that goal. It is fitting that as graduates of a classical Christian school, they would rise to the challenge of Jesus who said, ‘Whoever would be great among you must be your servant…’ (Matthew 20:26).”

Andrew Pyatt, humanities instructor and alumnus of School of the Ozarks, was this year’s commencement speaker. Pyatt holds the distinction of being the first graduate of School of the Ozarks to return as a full-time instructor. His selection as this year’s speaker reflects the School’s mission to raise up servant-leaders who return to pour into the next generation.

“Having Mr. Pyatt as our speaker is a powerful reminder of how the seeds planted at School of the Ozarks can bear fruit in service and leadership,” Dolloff said. “His example is a testament to the lasting impact of classical Christian education.”

The Class of 2025 carries forward the School’s mission to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic. Through their commitment to service and excellence, these graduates have made a lasting mark on the School and in the community.

The vision of School of the Ozarks mirrors that of College of the Ozarks: to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic. The curriculum of the School is designed as a classical Christian model and emphasizes the importance of Christlike character and a biblical worldview in understanding truth. School of the Ozarks has been re-established and operates as a department of College of the Ozarks under the direction of The Keeter Center for Character Education.

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 and the Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 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.