Renee Braun named Director for the Osage County Club Project

Published on July 1, 2022

State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong has announced the hiring of Renee Braun as the new Director for the complex that will replace the clubhouse at the Osage Country Club.

“I am just so excited to get started and join the State Tech team. The college has seen tremendous growth over the past several years and I am confident that the addition of the Event and Entertainment Center will add to a positive student experience, as well as provide a benefit to the community and the surrounding area. I am very intrigued with the opportunity to be part of something as unique and impactful as this,” said Braun.

Braun will oversee the new multipurpose event and entertainment venue. She is a graduate from the University of Central Missouri and has spent the last 7 years at JMS Senior Living as their Vice President of Operations. Braun also spent nearly 15 years in sales and marketing for KRCG TV13.

The center Braun will manage will be a 30,000 square foot mecca for entertainment.

Within the building, there will be a pro-shop, e-sports space, 50 seat “AMC Style” theater, sports bar and restaurant, 4 lanes of Duckpin Social bowling, and three golf simulators. Upstairs will be a 300-seat event center with full glass views of the golf course and water.  Outside the building, Columbia Pool and Spa will begin construction on a zero-entry pool late this summer. A large patio will include fire pits and a variety of outdoor games and entertainment.

Next door the Commercial Turf and Grounds Center is nearing completion. This building will be the home of the Commercial Turf and Grounds academic program. It will feature classrooms, labs and even a green house. Attached to the back of the building is a driving range that will utilize Top Range technology. The anticipated public opening will occur late August.

While the complex will help attract students to State Tech there is an academic aspect to this as well. Both facilities will expose students in a variety of programs to the latest and greatest in golf and building technology. State Tech has a reputation as being one of the best hands-on institutions in the country. Students will be exposed to the latest in aquatic, audio-visual, automated building, and entertainment technologies. The ability to have all of this under one roof would be hard to duplicate. So while this project is sure to help State Tech set yet another enrollment record it will also support students in Commercial Turf and Grounds, Electrical, Automation, HVAC, Business, and the new Facility Operations and Management programs.

“We will have something for everyone.  Whether it is hosting corporate retreats, weddings, educating students, or giving students and the community something to do, it does not get much more comprehensive than what we are about to do in Linn. Ultimately, this will help us continue to grow our student population and Missouri’s skilled workforce,” said State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong.

Renee Braun