Students from College of the Ozarks on CitizenTrip in nation's capital.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks continued the groundbreaking CitizenTrip® that began in 2019 as part of their Patriotic Education Program. The College sent 37 students on an intensive trip to Washington D.C., at no cost to the students, March 30-April 3, 2023.  

This is the second CitizenTrip® for this academic year.

The students were accompanied by President Brad Johnson and Veteran John Sorensen, who addressed students at the Vietnam Wall. Dr. David Dalton, professor of history and Elizabeth Hoyt Clark Chair of Humanities, addressed the students at the World War II Memorial at the National Mall. Other stops on their itinerary included the U.S. Capitol Building, the National Archives Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Museum of the Bible, and the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.

“The most meaningful experience for me was visiting the Vietnam War Memorial and hearing from Mr. Sorensen,” said Adam Cantrell, senior ecology and field biology major. “It meant a lot to me to be able to see my grandfather’s name on that wall, as well. I never got to meet him, as he died when my father was one and a half years old, but I do have his last name. I am the only person in my family to have been able to go to Washington, D.C., and see his name on the wall.”

The patriotic goal or pillar of College of the Ozarks is to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibility, love of country, and willingness to defend it. The CitizenTrip® is an integral part of fulfilling the patriotic goal and is a capstone opportunity for students who have demonstrated an understanding of the patriotic goal through the patriotic education courses.

The trip was hosted by The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education at College of the Ozarks. The Center was dedicated on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 2021.

“The William S. Knight Center for Patriotic Education is a hub for the College’s many patriotic offerings, including the CitizenTrip®,” said Dr. Marci Linson, vice president for patriotic activities. “The vision of The Knight Center is to revive historic American values and virtue in youth, and for students to experience our nation’s capital in-person is an excellent way to work toward that vision.”