College of the Ozarks

We had lunch at the College of the Ozarks Dining room today. The place was impressive, as was the lunch, and the story of the place and the people. The College of the Ozarks (CO) aka Hard Work U. is a fully accredited college of about 1500 students who work 40 hours a week on the campus for 12 weeks and 15 hours a week throughout the school year in exchange for room, board and tuition. During the four years, students work in the on campus lodge, restaurant, dairy farm, mill, farm, do landscaping, smoke hams, make fruitcake (the are known for), jelly, weave blankets, and more. Students can pick up to 35 majors and leave school with real work and life experience and are debt free. Financial Guru Dave Ramsey would eat this up. I think it is great, as do many wealthy business people who have endowed this beautiful place and the impressive lodge (built in 2004) where we had lunch. If you are anywhere near Branson, this is worth the trip and worth a further read about this place. BTW, if you are thinking about applying, it is tough to get in, almost as selective as the US Coast Guard Academy.