College of the Ozarks honored by Department of Defense for extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves

College of the Ozarks was recognized with the Extraordinary Employer Support Award from the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for its sustained support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an office of the Department of Defense, announced April 27 that College of the Ozarks received the Extraordinary Employer Support Award.

The award recognizes sustained support of the reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. The college received the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award in 2015, which is awarded only once to an employer.

The Extraordinary Employer Support Award presentation ceremony was held April 27 at the College during a Board of Trustees dinner meeting. Volunteers made the award presentation and thanked the college for its exceptional support from employees who are members of the Guard and Reserve.

Brig. Gen. James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic programs, expressed appreciation for employer support of employees’ military careers. He explained that the college previously received the Freedom Award and can receive it only once. The Extraordinary Employer Support Award recognizes the continued high standard of support.

Dr. Brad Johnson, president of College of the Ozarks, and Shawn McKenzie, chairman of the College of the Ozarks Board of Trustees, accepted the award.

According to Tom Krahenburl, ESGR Missouri chair, “The Extraordinary Employer Support Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize organizations that have won the Freedom Award and have maintained the same level of support to those employees who are members of the reserve component of the United States Armed Forces.

“This employer has continued to provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who, like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units.”

As the 1 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to serve as a resource for employers of citizen warriors. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws and resolves conflicts between employers and service members.

More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil or by calling Justin Bowden at 573-638-9525.