1. NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2017
Media Contact: Valorie Coleman
Public Relations Director
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO 65726
Office: (417) 690-2212
Cell: (417) 365-2727
Email: vcoleman@cofo.edu
College ofthe Ozarks to host Night to Shine event for guests withspecial needs
Event to take place Friday, Feb. 10, at The Keeter Center
POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks will host Night to Shine, sponsored by Tim Tebow Foundation,
on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in the Silver Dollar City Parlor at The Keeter Center from 6 to 9 p.m.
This is a prom-like event for guests with special needs in Stone and Taney Counties. Approximately 100 guests are
expected to attend.
“We are excited to host Night to Shine again this year at College of the Ozarks,” said Dr. Justin Carswell, vice president
for Christian ministries. “The event is a wonderful evening for our students to impact and influence others with the love of
Christ. It is our intention to put hands and feet to Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as love yourself.”
College of the Ozarks hosted Night to Shine last year, which met with great excitement and participation by the College
and community. Approximately 250 students are signed up to help with this year’s activities. Nathan Miller, senior
biblical and theological studies major, will announce guests as they enter the Royal Oak Forum and red carpet areas for
the event. Savannah Faught, senior graphic arts major at College of the Ozarks,will play the harp as part of the evening’s
entertainment, and Maalek Getchell, senior culinary arts and business administration major, will serve as DJ for the dance
party, another highlight of the evening.
Night to Shine is a worldwide movement changing Valentine’s Day weekend into a celebration of God’s love of people
with special needs. Last year, the Night to Shine event saw 201 churches,70,000 volunteers, and 32,000 guests come
together in 48 states and seven countries to create not just a nationwide event, but a worldwide movement, celebrating
people with special needs. This year, the event will take place in 375 churches across all 50 states and in eleven different
countries.
“Being connected with this foundation helps us be part of an international movement to share God’s love with those
families and communities who are often forgotten. I want each guest to have the best night of their year at Night to
Shine,” Carswell said.
Guests from the 2016 Night to Shine event at College of the Ozarks received special awards during the College’s spring
convocation in April 2016. Tim Tebow was on hand to honor the special guests and spoke to students, staff, and members
of the local community. A special video was prepared to recap the Night to Shine event and honor those in attendance. To
view, access the following Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/album/1746316/video/162970086
A VIP event
Guests for this year’s invitation-only Night to Shine event were chosen with the help of severalagencies in Taney and
Stone Counties that provide services to people with special needs. Participating agencies include the following:
 Barnabus Prep

2.  New Hope Development/ Cedar Creek Coffee
 Developmental Connections
 Tantone Industries
 Chances of Stone County
“I am looking forward to the event this year,” said Raeanne Zurn, the director of New Hope Development. “Night to
Shine is an amazing experience for everyone! The student volunteers from College of the Ozarks jumped right in and
made our guests feel like “kings” and “queens” last year, and many of them formed lasting relationships with the
students.”
For more information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.
About Tim Tebow
Tebow is a two-time national champion, first round NFL draft pick, and Heisman trophy winner. Tim Tebow is currently
signed to play professional baseball with the New York Mets and is a college football analyst for the SEC Network. Prior
to joining the SEC Network,Tebow played three years in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and New
England Patriots.
Tebow also contributes to a variety of ESPN platforms including Sports Center,ESPN Radio, and the network’s Heisman
Trophy coverage,offering in-depth perspective as a legendary SEC player himself.
Tebow grew up the son of missionaries, and even after moving to Florida as a child, he returned to the Philippines as a
teenager — to spread God’s word, and do the Lord’s work, by serving the needy. He carried that calling with him to the
University of Florida, where in addition to leading the Gators to two national championships and winning the Heisman
Trophy in 2007, he also devoted himself to charity — raising money for pediatric cancer patients and disadvantaged
children.
About Tim Tebow Foundation
Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope, and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.
That mission is being fulfilled every day through the foundation’s seven areas of outreach, including W15H, Timmy’s
Playrooms, Orphan Care,Adoption Aid, the Tebow CURE Hospital, Team Tebow, and Night to Shine. For more
information on the Tim Tebow Foundation, please visit www.timtebowfoundation.org
About College of the Ozarks
College of the Ozarks is a Christian, liberal arts college located on a 1,000-acre campusin Point Lookout,Missouri.
Christian values,hard work,and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocksof the “Hard Work
U.” experience.The College earns numerous accoladesyearly,including being named the #1 Best Value College in the
Midwest for 2015 by “U.S. News & World Report.”
The Keeter Center — the College’s upscale lodge, restaurant, and conference facility — was ranked the No.1 Top Small
Hotel in the U.S. by TripAdvisorfor 2016. It featuresfine dining, historic lodging, and meeting rooms. With more than
350 student workers, it is the largest work station on the College of the Ozarks campus.
To achieve its vision, College of the Ozarks pursuesacademic, vocational,Christian, patriotic and cultural goals.These
goals are mirrored in School of the Ozarks, begun in fall 2012 for high school students, and the S. Truett Cathy Lower
School, opened in fall 2014 to K-sixth grade students.Seventh and eighth gradeswere added in fall 2015, completing the
K-college model. For information, call the public relations office at (417) 690-2212 orvisit www.cofo.edu. Follow
College of the Ozarks at www.facebook.com/collegeoftheozarks oron Twitter @CofOHardWorkU.
###

3. 02.03.17 – Paige Arnett
Photo Caption 1: College of the Ozarks senior Ethan Lane, communication arts: public relations major, spent a great
evening with his “buddy,” Thomas Towler, honored guest of Night to Shine 2016.
Photo Caption 2: Each guest for Night to Shine on Feb. 10, 2017, will receive a crown or tiara and spend an evening
being treated like royalty at the Royal Oak Forum inside of the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks.