93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
Dr. Brad Johnson has officially become the 17th President of College of the Ozarks.
In a full day of events on Thursday, Dr. Brad Johnson was welcomed in as the new president of the college. It has been 40 years since the last president, Dr. Jerry C. Davis, began his term.
During the inauguration ceremony, notable guests such as former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and pro-life activist Dr. Alveda King gave remarks. The College of the Ozarks Chapel Choir performed the National Anthem, and members of the community, veterans, campus family, and students were all in attendance.
The evening capped off with a special concert featuring award winning gospel artists Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
During his remarks, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said, “Thankfully, the College of the Ozarks and Christian institutions in higher education understand and teach that rights, responsibilities, and accountability transcend any human source”
President Johnson’s predecessor, Dr. Jerry Davis, now Chancellor Davis, gave the ceremony’s greeting. “The challenge for Dr. Johnson, and in fact all of us, is to do our best to maintain College of the Ozarks as a lighthouse to the nation and not let it become a mirror reflecting what is going on in our culture,” Davis said.
“Since our founding, God has chosen to use men and women in this distinctive brand of Christian higher education in this special place,” Johnson said during his address. “From our earliest days, we have faced challenges and trials that have caused other institutions to close their doors and perhaps lose their way. But God has sustained us and provided for the rich educational experiences we know today as College of the Ozarks.”
According to a release out of the college, Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Baylor University in 1993. In 1996, he earned two master’s degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas: one in religious education and one in marriage and family counseling. He completed his Doctor of Education degree at Baylor University in 2005, with a focus on higher education administration.
For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.