College of the Ozarks dedicates Ernie and Carolyn Watson Student Center Sept. 15, 2023

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks dedicated the Ernie and Carolyn Watson Student Center on Sept. 15 on the College campus. In attendance were the Watsons, Don and Judy Tilmon, and other donors and friends of the College. Students, staff, and faculty came together for the moving ceremony that included remarks from the donors, Chancellor Jerry C. Davis, President Brad Johnson, Dean of Development Natalie Rasnick, Dean of Students Ryan Knight, Director of Student Activities Caden Peterson, and junior Shelomi Miner, exercise science and Christian apologetics major.

Special music was provided by the Chapel Choir, under the direction of Gregg Busch, assistant professor of music and theater. The choir sang “Same Power,” standing in the upper balcony and overlooking the crowd gathered on the first floor.

“Over the last few years, it was a joy to partner with donors from all across the United States, so that this dream could become a reality for our students,” Rasnick said. “From conference rooms to a space for students to get needed hygiene items, donors joined us every step of the way, ensuring our students have an exceptional student center. C of O students work really hard, and now we have a great space for them to play hard, too.”

The Ernie and Carolyn Watson Student Center opened to students this summer and is a beautiful blending of old and new. Construction began in 2020 on the existing Jamison Mass Media Building to transform the structure into a center designed for students. The new center — complete with a coffee shop, theatre, and study areas — was a welcome addition to campus.

The original Jamison Manual Arts Building was completed in 1935. The building served throughout the decades for not only the manual arts department, but also communications, video production classes, a TV station, and offices for various professors.

The new center includes three conference rooms, a state-of-the-art movie theatre, a coffee shop, numerous study areas, a large outdoor balcony complete with tables, comfortable patio furniture, and sunshades, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook Lake Honor on campus. The building encompasses 33,645 square feet.

“The Watson Student Center was a phenomenal project to work on,” said Jody Braswell, director of construction. “We renovated and extended the Jamison building, which resulted in a beautiful facility. The views of Lake Honor are stunning, and the open concept will make for great space for student community.”

More than 100 students worked on the project through the College’s Work Education Program, and N-Form architects out of Springfield, Missouri, designed the concept.

“The Watsons are the epitome of the traditional values at College of the Ozarks: They love the Lord, serve others, and have worked tremendously hard for all that they have achieved,” Rasnick said. Their support of Hard Work U. has made this phenomenal student center a reality.”

More about Ernie and Carolyn Watson

Carolyn was born and raised on a farm near Reeds Spring, Missouri. Her parents, Ed and Marie Logan, taught her the value of hard work and faith in God. Her dad lived by the philosophy that debt was a burden: “If you can’t pay for it, you don’t need it.” 

Ernie Watson was born and raised on a cotton farm in the Bootheel of Missouri to Harry and Grace Watson. Ernie’s mother taught him to work hard, give a full day’s work for a day’s pay, and to be thankful for what God rewards for hard work.

Shortly after Ernie and Carolyn met, and fell in love, they started business in real estate development/investing, building, and owning O’Reilly Auto stores, Tractor Supply stores, Dollar General stores, title companies, apartments, and shopping centers. They put their efforts into loving God, family, and the joys of seeing the fruits of hard work.

Ernie’s favorite saying is: “God looked down and saw this poor sharecropper kid and said, ‘I better help him.’” 

“The Watsons love College of the Ozarks because of the values the College stands for,” Rasnick said. “The generosity of the Watsons made The Ernie and Carolyn Watson Student Center a reality.”