College of the Ozarks will host the Homecoming for 2024, themed Grateful Hearts Gather Here, Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Homecoming weekend will consist of several events for each day such as the Miss Hard Work U. honors ceremony, alumni golf game, a celebration picnic, alumni breakfast, and a C of O homecoming parade.

“It always feels good to come home, and that is exactly how we want alumni to feel when they return to campus,” said Angela Williamson, director of alumni relations. “It was their home during some very important years in their lives! Homecoming weekend is a wonderful time to return to campus and reminisce about these special years.”

The entire weekend of events for Homecoming 2024 will be centered around the theme of Grateful Hearts Gather Here.

“Homecoming is a great time to pause and be grateful for your years at College of the Ozarks. Whether you’re a student experiencing college right now, or you attended school here 50 years ago, it will be a special weekend to gather with friends and classmates,” Williamson said.

The event welcomes alumni to return to the College to celebrate their legacy as part of the history of the institution. The alumni will participate in many different events alongside current students.

Alumni registration is available online at Alumni Registration

Schedule of Events

Thursday, Oct. 31

• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center Lawn
• 7:00 p.m.   Miss Hard Work U. Honors Ceremony, Jones Auditorium

Friday, Nov. 1

• 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center Lawn
• 10:00 a.m. Alumni Golf Game, Pointe Royale
• 4:00 p.m. Alumni Council Meeting & Dinner, Lakeside Dining Room, Pearl Rogers Dining Center
• 7:00 p.m.  Lady Cats Volleyball vs. Wayland Baptist University, Keeter Gymnasium
• 8:00 p.m. 1980s Remix, Main Level, Plaster Business Building

Saturday, Nov. 2

• 8:00 a.m. Alumni Breakfast, Dobyns Dining Room, The Keeter Center
  • The Alumni Association Annual Meeting will immediately follow the breakfast at 9:00 a.m.
• 9:00 a.m. Alumni Registration, Alumni & Archives Center
• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Student Activity Booths, Lunch & Alumni Registration, Activities Field
• 10:30 a.m.  Alumni Memorial Service, Williams Memorial Chapel
• 11:30 a.m. 1960s Reunion, Christian Ministries Lounge
• 12:00 p.m. Lady Cats Volleyball vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Keeter Gymnasium
• 1:00 p.m. Class Reunion Photos, Chapel Lawn
  • Class Reunion Years will report at designated times for photos.  
• 1:00 – 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959HS, 1959JC  
• 1:10 – 1964 HS, 1964 JC, 1969, 1974, 1979  
• 1:20 – 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999  
• 1:30 – 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019
• 2:15 p.m. C of O Homecoming Parade
• 3:15 p.m. Bobcats vs. Culver-Stockton College, Keeter Gymnasium
• 6:00 p.m. Alumni Meritorious Awards & 50th Reunion Celebration Dinner, The Hook Activities Center

Sunday, Nov. 3  

• 11:00 a.m. Chapel Service, Williams Memorial Chapel

Student Events

The candidates for Miss Hard Work U will be facilitating a women’s’ event for students on campus on Oct. 12 titled “What Not to Wear.” The time will include brunch, worship, a devotion, DIY salt scrubs and essential oils, and tips on how to dress and respect the body God gave us. They will submit an essay to determine who places in the top five. To host this year’s honors ceremony is Sarah Williams, College of the Ozarks Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings administrative assistant, and Josh Williams College of the Ozarks radio station manager. The top five Miss Hard Work U candidates will answer a question on stage that will determine their final scores. After each of the requirements are met, the C of O student body will vote for who will be crowned as Miss Hard Work U. 

The honor ceremony for the title of Miss Hard Work U. will be held at the Jones auditorium at College of the Ozarks on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. College of the Ozarks will announce the winners via press release following this event.