College of the Ozarks sends 40 students on an intensive trip to Washington, D.C., at no cost to the students, Sept. 25 – 27, 2025.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks continued the groundbreaking CitizenTrip^® that began in 2019, sending 40 students on an intensive trip to Washington, D.C., at no cost to the students. The trip, which took place Sept. 25-27, is an integral part of fulfilling the Patriotic Pillar of College of the Ozarks, which is to encourage an understanding of American heritage, civic responsibility, love of country, and willingness to defend it.

The students had the opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol as well as the National Mall, which encompasses the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. The trip also included locations like Museum of the Bible, the National Archives Museum, and Arlington National Cemetery.

The students heard from Vietnam Veteran and former POW, Guy Gruters, as well as Vietnam Veteran and retired Sergeant First Class (SFC) Dan Bunch, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

Brigadier General James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic activities, explained the significance of the CitizenTrip^® for students.

College of the Ozarks senior psychology major and member of the Missouri Army National Guard, Caleb Zurbriggen, kneels at Arlington National Cemetery.

“The CitizenTrip^® allows students to see and experience historical sights they have studied throughout their entire educational career,” Schreffler said. “By seeing these sights firsthand and hearing Veterans reflect on their experiences at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the National Mall, students returned with renewed respect and increased love for our country.”

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.

Following are the members of faculty and staff who accompanied the students on the trip: Brigadier General James P. Schreffler, vice president for patriotic activities; Captain Andrew Ashley, instructor of military science; Cody Bray, director of transportation; Janna Goodwin, residence director; Dr. Denise Tlustos, associate professor of nursing; Chassidy Brittain, director of patriotic activities; and Samantha Stephans, social media and digital marketing strategist.

The students tour the U.S. Capitol, as well as the National Mall, which encompasses the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, among other locations.

Students came away from the trip with a new understanding of American heritage and new perspectives of what it means to be a citizen in the United States.  

“To see all the steps that our country has come to get to this point gives a whole new sense of meaning to the shared heritage that we all have,” said Caleb Zurbriggen, senior psychology major,and member of the Missouri Army National Guard. “We’re all Americans, and this trip changed that perspective for me.”

“This trip has allowed my heritage to become mine,” said Abigail Harrison, senior public relations major. “It has made the history of America my history, and it has allowed me to become proud of the country that I live in and the freedoms that we have here. I understand now that those things are not cheap.”