Issuu

MOTLOW STATE NAMED #1 TOP-PERFORMING COLLEGE IN TENNESSEE Public-Private Partnerships Education Entrepreneurs Dual Enrollment Growth Emerging Technologies

Dr. Sam Ingram

50 YEARS MOTLOW’S 1ST PRESIDENT

of STUDENT SUCCESS 50 MORE YEARS!

NO. 1 CHOICE OF TENNESSEE

TRANSFER STUDENTS A seamless path to MTSU with your Motlow degree Motlow provides a great start, and MTSU is a great place to finish! MTSU promises Motlow students: · Guaranteed admission and a $3,000 per year scholarship for qualified students (see deadline and details at mtsu.edu/partners) · A smooth and easy process with access to our advisors for academic inquiries · Superior service from MT One Stop for all enrollment questions

mtsu.edu/transfer

0420-8961 / Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. See our full policy at www.mtsu.edu/iec.

Ovation Magazine VOLUME TWO, ISSUE ONE | 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

50 Years of Student Success Stories

Education Entrepreneurs Tackle Emerging Technologies

New Degrees & Certificates

$1 million for New Technical Instruction

STRONG SUPPORT OF NATIONAL GUARD

Accreditation, 100% Pass Rate for Medical Lab Technology

Expansion in Smyrna Creates Education and Community Celebration

Dual Enrollment Can Get You to Vanderbilt...Early

06 24

26I N M E T H MART 46 O D I S T 2020 Faculty Excellence Awards

Education Entrepreneurs Launch & Sustain Stellar Programs

TENNESSEE FARMER CULTIVATES WORLD CLASS MECHATRONICS CAREER

to Professions 30 Paths W ANT ONE MORE CHANCE TO W ALK ACROSS THAT in Dual Enrollment 48 Champions Partnerships Elevate STAGE? MARTIN METHODIS T STRIV ES TO ENSURE 32 Student Success Mary Kate Brown 11 Motlow’s Legacy Evidenced in 52 EDUCATION EVERY STUDENT CAN AFFORD THE THEY Alumni Testimonials Bachelor’s Degrees at Motlow 33 Phi Theta Kappa 12 Motlow Chapter has Record Year PRIDE OURSELVES ON B EING A TRANSFER NEED. WE 53 Abigail Robertson Daryl Welch 34 FRIENDLY INSTITUTION, OU R TRANSFER STUDENTS Home to First 14 Motlow Sepsis Conference SOAR Winner RECEIVE36GUARANTEED SCHOLARSHIPS Sharon Edwards

MaQueba Massey

History of Motlow & 50th Anniversary

Fifty Years and Growing

Students Feel Safe at Motlow

ongratulations graduates. You hold a special place in

CREATIVE TEAM EARNS GOLD AND SILVER

ACHIEVING THE DREAM

Motlow history. You are members of Motlow’s 50th

graduating class. While we were not able to be together for commencement ceremonies, we are pleased to share with you this anniversary edition of Ovation as a collectible edition. We are

proud of your accomplishments. Your capacity to press on and

achieve your goals during one of our nation’s most challenging collective experiences is a testimony to the career success that

awaits you. Pursue the opportunities ahead with passion and

enthusiasm. Rise to every challenge with the same grace and

tenacity you have demonstrated in 2020. You are certain to succeed again and again. Thank you for choosing Motlow.

STRATEGY & PLANNING

POLICIES & PRACTICES

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

DATA & TECHNOLOGY

TEACHING & LEARNING

EQUITY

LEADERSHIP & VISION

Call,Text or Visit: 931-347-1980 martinmethodist.edu Apply today: rebrand.ly/applytomartin

Stories in this edition of Ovation were selected to share how Motlow is helping students Achieve the Dream. Each story contains symbols represented here.

M OT LO W STAT E

50 Years of Student Success Stories D

uring 2019-2020 Motlow celebrated 50 years of changing lives and educating

communities. During this anniversary year, the College was honored to share a

variety of student success stories as part of our 50 Years of Stories campaign. Several of

those stories are featured here in our anniversary edition of Ovation. These compelling, first-person account alumni testimonials were featured in local newspapers, social

media, and on Motlow’s 50th Anniversary website. We hope you explore the others at motlow50.com.

#MOTLOW50 OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

EQUITY

M OT LO W STAT E

DATA & TECHNOLOGY

Education Entrepreneurs Tackle

Professor Gregg Garrison and his anatomy class wear XR glasses to explore the human digestive track in new dimensions.

TECHNOLOGIES T

echnology literacy is the ability to use digital information tools and succeed in the environment of emerging technologies. Along with having people skills and subject-matter proficiency, having technology literacy helps graduates get hired first and advance quickly.

Technology literacy is central to Motlow’s plan for student success. “We are being very intentional about crafting our reputation for embedding emerging technologies into every aspect of learning,” said Dr. Torrence, president of Motlow. “Student success is the rudder that pilots Motlow’s mission. Every vision, plan, and investment we make pivots on its ability to advance student success. Emerging technologies are a market reality in industry. That means all Motlow students must demonstrate technical acumen.”

The vision at Motlow is to place new technologies in discovery and exploration spaces in and out of classrooms. The aim is to support individual and small groups of students who want to test, try, and tinker toward increasing levels of technical acumen. The College also recently added Chief Learning Officer, Retired Air Force Colonel Tony Millican, to its leadership team. His purpose is to build the bridges students need to access and engage emerging technologies.

“The goal is to embed and infuse a variety of technologies in classrooms, across curriculum, into non-credit training, and to make it accessible in exploration spaces outside of formal learning environments,” said Millican. “Our current focus

is on virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality assets, collectively referred to as XR, or extended reality.”

Motlow recently opened Virtual Reality Labs inside the Smyrna and Moore County campus libraries. Locating technologies in library spaces improves accessibility, engagement, and organic student exploration. XR technologies are multi-modal, cross-curriculum tools that accommodate both broad exposures to new topics and deep learning of targeted subjects. A student’s first

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Emerging & Immersive Technology Milestones › Extended Reality (XR) Academies

› Entrepreneurship Degree

› Virtual XR Academy online

› Logistics Degree

› New standards of Instructional Excellence ensuring classrooms embed appropriate technologies › State’s first Automation and Robotics Technology Center › Mechatronics Degree with Robotics Concentration

› Cyber Defense Degree › Study abroad program to prepare students to work in the global economy › College-wise infrastructure upgrades to improve digital user experiences

introduction to XR could be through gaming, teleconferencing, virtual tourism, or guided exercise. The ultimate goal is to advance the use of these immersive technologies to facilitate deep experiential learning. Motlow’s vision is for XR to help students learn more deeply in the classroom, engage new technologies across the spectrum of their careers, and to use technology to advance their business ideas. Torrence added,

“We want XR to fuel student success, community development, economic development, and entrepreneurism.” XR technologies and available content are developing quickly. It has a powerful ability to excite and engage students. Students can connect to XR content privately, as a group, or across distances. Depth perception, kinesthetic realism, and the ability to look behind, above, or below a focal point, makes XR an engaging, self-paced, or collaborative group resource for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving. It empowers students to scaffold their own learning. They begin as explorers and can

M OT LO W STAT E

› Digital Engagement Initiative (DEI): adopting electronic course materials including e-textbooks and other free Open Educational Resources (OER) to expand student resources while reducing student costs

quickly advance to learn, practice, achieve proficiencies, and finally to demonstrate competencies. Embedding XR throughout the learning process is Motlow’s current initiative toward incorporating future technologies and immersive learning experiences. Open access 3D-printing labs are also on the horizon. Motlow is also developing public/private partnerships and using philanthropic grants to fund makerspaces that will fuel and inspire the

› New articulation agreements with other colleges to advance pathways in technical fields such as mechatronics, agriculture, and engineering

deep learning required for highwage, high-demand tech careers. Experiential learning is central to the Motlow mission because it supports lasting knowledge and builds enduring capacities. “This is not

a vision for the future. This is our imperative, present-day obligation to student success,” said Torrence. “Motlow has a demonstrated history of many firsts in rising to meet technological market shifts. That character is the foundation on which it now builds to embed XR technologies across our programs, classes, spaces, clubs, events, and everywhere students want to learn and explore.”

Indeed, Motlow has a longstanding reputation for the early adoption of new technologies. Motlow led the state in mechatronics training, adoption of healthcare training technologies, robotics, and industry 4.0 initiatives. The College is deepening its reputation as a leader in technology integration by embedding XR and other emerging technologies in and across curriculum, services, and spaces to position Motlow for the next 50 years.

TEACHING & LEARNING

Tennessee Farmer Cultivates

Mechatronics Career

“I always wanted to grow up and be like my dad. He can do anything. I followed him step-bystep. I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve come a long way already.”

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ind something you are good at and then keep getting better at it. That wisdom guides Matthew Terry, Motlow’s first mechatronics graduate hired directly into Bridgestone’s Warren County, Tennessee Truck and Bus Radial Plant. Matthew was raised on a family farm in Manchester learning to help his dad keep things running smoothly. From new tractors to old trucks, the farm environment is dependent on a basic mechanical aptitude. He was taught to practice prevention and keep resources safe and well-maintained. One of Matthew’s favorite projects was a 1971 Chevrolet frameoff truck restoration that he and his father partnered to finish over four years. His dad, Bobby Terry, is a machinist, pipefitter, and welder. He taught Matthew how to fabricate and farm. “He can do anything, and I always wanted to grow up and be like my dad,” said Matthew. “I followed him step-bystep. I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve come a long way already.” He also credits John and Tim Newby for giving him a taste of early advancement. “I started working at Newby’s RV Sales, washing campers, then advanced to become a recreation vehicle technician. I was responsible for maintenance and repairs of very sophisticated recreational vehicles,” he added. “RVs have a little bit of everything. They have hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, and mechanical drives. They have to be winterized, dewinterized and regularly serviced. That experience connected to everything I wanted to study in mechatronics at Motlow.” Matthew also worked at Everett’s Automotive. He visited the shop to investigate how much a new paint job would cost him for his

M OT LO W STAT E

truck restoration. Owner Everett Rutledge had a few odd jobs he suggested Matthew could tend in return for a reduced-price paint job. Those negotiations evolved into a job offer. Relationship building is a pattern that shapes Matthew’s career path. A graduate of Warren County High School, Matthew recalls how important Cam Reagan and Burt Sinks, CTE instructors, were in influencing his vision for pursuing mechatronics. He also credits

the program faculty inspire stellar performance. “I studied with Larry Flatt, Paul Sand, Melissa Paws, and Eric Anderson. They were all supportive and encouraging.

I really enjoyed my time at Motlow, and it has worked out wonderfully. I am so blessed. I can’t even explain how blessed I am. I’d like to encourage other young people to look to Motlow.” Bridgestone has a rigorous hiring process for Engineering Technician

Matthew Terry works with his dad in their farm shop.

Tennessee Promise for making that dream a reality. “They came out with Tennessee Promise and I knew I was going to give something a shot. Cam Reagan told me if he had to go to college again, he would study mechatronics. The rest is history.” Matthew feels like he had the full Motlow Mechatronics experience and can speak with authority that

trainees. For this and all roles, the company seeks what it refers to as “The Bridgestone Essence”, serving society with superior quality. Matthew went through the process of interviews, a subject-matter test, and a physical evaluation. “We are very thoughtful and thorough in our hiring process. The quality of our products depends on the quality of our people. We are delighted Matthew has joined the Bridgestone team” said Bridgestone Warren County Plant Manager Tamara Martensen.

“It was a challenging test,” said Matthew. “I studied. I wanted to be sure I was ready. It was about two hours long, but it was all things that I grew up doing on the farm or material Motlow taught me. They asked me everything from machining and schematics questions to PLC programming. My official title is now Engineering Technician Trainee.” While at Bridgestone, Matthew will continue his academic career with Tennessee State University (TSU). “I’m going to keep advancing. I’ll be working on my bachelor’s degree and Kayla Wiseman at TSU is helping me get my schedule changed so that I can work and continue my degree. This opportunity was just too good to pass up. It is a nice raise, great benefits, and, well, it’s Bridgestone,” he said with pride. Matthew will work under the leadership of Tamara Martensen. The Warren County commercial truck and bus tire plant earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification, the first tire plant in the world to do so. It is also an OSHA Voluntary Protection Star site, awarded for comprehensive health and safety programs demonstrating injury rates below the industry’s national average.

Matthew speaks with great anticipation about learning from Training Coordinator Tim Frideczky, a 27-year teammate and Navy veteran trained on nuclear electrical systems. “I want to learn everything I can from him. I want to follow in his footsteps and rise to be a leader at Bridgestone.” Motlow has a 2+2 articulation agreement with TSU. The agreement means that students can attend Motlow for two years and earn an associate degree in Mechatronics, then transfer into TSU coursework for two years to earn a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Industrial Technologies with a concentration in Mechatronics. All TSU coursework is offered on Motlow’s McMinnville campus.

Industry leaders around the world recognize the value of locating key manufacturing facilities in areas where the local workforce has a strong work ethic.

Growth is a mindset. Whether

it’s cotton, cows, or corporations, cultivating growth requires tenacious resolve. Ingenuity, dependability, and optimism is coded into the character of Middle Tennessee workers like Matthew. Industry site selection leaders recognize that it is a logical pivot for the workforce to shift from rebuilding a 1971 Chevy to building high-performing companies.

Matthew’s mother, Ruth Terry, is the bookkeeper for Gant Oil in McMinnville. His brother, Chris Terry, leads towing and recovery for Backyard Motors. “We have a big family and know a lot of people throughout the area. I think the 2+2 is a great program and I’m honored to help tell more people about it,” added Matthew.

This growth mindset is why Motlow’s 11-county service area is developing so quickly. Regional workforce training programs, low site costs, and an innate growth mindset suggest that Middle Tennessee is the new land of opportunity. The local culture is growth-oriented and the national data bears this out. The MotlowTullahoma-Manchester area was recently named the 31st fastest growing micropolitan in the nation (see page 50).

Mechatronics and robotics are high-demand, high-wage fields critical to the economic development of Middle Tennessee.

Motlow’s Dean of Career Technologies, Fred Rascoe, is the educational entrepreneur who worked with Dr. Sharon continued on page 35

Why Motlow – TSU 2+2 Mechatronics • Close to home: Save on commute costs. Earn your associate and bachelor’s degree at the Motlow McMinnville campus. • Cost Effective: Most Motlow students are eligible for Promise and Reconnect Free Tuition Scholarships. TSU has the lowest tuition cost of any university in Tennessee. TSU also offers attractive scholarship opportunities allowing many full-time students to attend tuition free. • Flexibility: Classes are offered in a variety of formats including online, faceto-face, hybrid, and accelerated. • Contact: To learn more about Motlow - TSU 2+2 Mechatronics, contact irascoe@mscc.edu. Special Note: Motlow and TSU also have 2+2 agricultural programs on the Fayetteville campus. For more information about it contact lsanders@mscc.edu.

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OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

TEACHING & LEARNING

n 2004 my husband thanked me for supporting him while he completed his degree and vowed to return the favor. Seven months after that, we welcomed our firstborn son into the world. Josiah was born prematurely, suffered a brain hemorrhage, and as a result, received the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. A total of twelve years and four children later, my husband surprised me by submitting all of the application paperwork for Motlow

I began taking classes through the

Adult College Express (ACE)

program, which offers one intensive course at a time in the evenings. I walked into my first class with Dr. Adams and felt invigorated. One class became two, and two became a full course load. Before I knew it, I was fully entrenched and at home in the Motlow State Community College family. I became a Motlow Student Ambassador where I met so many wonderful students, faculty and staff members.

with ease because of the partnership between the two institutions, and my education at Motlow prepared me to excel in the bachelor’s degree program. I was awarded enough scholarship money to attend debt-free and I graduated summa cum laude from continued on page 35

With every new face, I learned another encouraging account of academic success by nontraditional means. I graduated after just seventeen months with an A.S. in psychology. I earned the President’s Award for my 4.0 GPA. I transferred to Middle Tennessee State University

on my behalf. I was stunned. My turn had arrived. My baby girl would begin kindergarten in the fall of 2016, and I would start college in the spring of 2017. I had been a decent student in high school, but that was nearly twenty years before this. I was anxious about starting at Motlow for so many reasons. Could I do the work? Could I find my classes? Would I be older than my professors? What happens if I am a terrible student? Will my family be ok?

M OT LO W STAT E

MARY KATE BROWN

MOTLOW 2018 | MTSU 2020 | FULL-TIME VANDERBILT STUDENT

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

scoring chapters are recognized as Distinguished Chapters. Elections for the five international officers are also held at the Annual Convention.

r has

apte h c a p ap Theta K

D R O C E R R A YE hi

P Motlow

This year’s Catalyst convention was held online due to the pandemic. Fifteen representatives from Motlow PTK attended the virtual event with more than 3,700 representatives from 1,300 chapters in multiple nations. International Award Recipients and Chapters were named in various categories for Hallmark Awards. Motlow students and PTK faculty and staff advisors earned honors in a dozen categories.

2020 Phi Theta Kappa Hallmark Awards for Motlow Alpha Xi Pi Chapter include: • Top 100 Chapter • Five Star Region • Distinguished Regional Coordinator – Gregg Garrison • Distinguished Regional Award for Scholarship

he Motlow chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society and its leadership was recognized as one of the top 100 chapters in the world. Motlow’s regional Alpha Xi Pi (AXP) Chapter of PTK National brought home a full portfolio of awards from the 2020 International PTK Virtual Catalyst Convention.

• Continued Excellence Award for Advisor – Misty Griffith • Distinguished Chapter Advisor Team Award – Gregg Garrison, Dayron Deaton-Owens, Misty Griffith, Laura Brown, Rob Keel, Dawn Copeland • Five Star Chapter

The purpose of PTK is to develop, recognize and encourage scholarship among community college students, providing the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership and service. It also fosters an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals. PTK serves as a network of lively fellowship for scholars and the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. PTK hosts an annual Catalyst convention drawing thousands of scholars from around the world to represent their chapters, their institutions, and their regions. At Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappans honor the achievements of its most outstanding chapters. Recognition is awarded for chapter work on Honors-InAction Projects and College Projects. Awards are also announced for Motlow PTK advisors and students attended the 2020 Regional Convention distinguished chapter at Dyersburg State. Pictured seated, l-r: Barry McKinley, Matthew Bobo, Dasha Grayson, and Hannah Green. Standing, l-r: Gregg Garrison, Dayron members, officers, officer Deaton-Owens, Robin Keel, Misty Griffith, Ashley Cain, Jamaya Blackwell, teams, advisors, and Heather Whittaker, Nick Locke, Keira Pfefferkorn, Madelyn Wood, Sonja Edge, Laura Brown, and Matilde Olea Guevara. administrators. High

REBEKAH RANDALL

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• Distinguished College Project Award • Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award • Distinguished Chapter Award • Five Star Chapter Alumni Association • Reach Reward Chapter KEIRA PFEFFERKORN

Members of the Motlow AXP chapter of PTK also attended the 2020 Tennessee Regional Convention at Dyersburg State Community College, Feb. 21-23, for a weekend of team building and fellowship with other chapters from colleges across the state. The state/regional PTK convention includes leadership development, seminars, and award ceremonies. At the state convention, two Motlow students were elected as Tennessee Regional Officers for the upcoming year. Madelyn Wood was elected vice president for Middle Tennessee, and Keira Pfefferkorn was elected secretary for Tennessee.

Motlow PTK students, advisors, and the chapter received additional awards at the regional convention:

AXP’s College Project was a multicampus effort carrying out the three-year strategic plan to support Achieving The Dream initiatives that improve equity, diversity, and inclusion. It developed a plan to achieve this mission through initiatives that strengthen a supportive relationship between the chapter and the college administration. The Honors in Action Project focused on college student nutrition. Honors in Action projects incorporate academic research and analysis, action (service or advocacy), collaboration, and impact.

M OT LO W STAT E

Active membership in PTK honors program is a life-changing experience. Recommend membership to the rising scholar you champion. Benefits include: ›

Scholarship Opportunities

›

Leadership Development

›

Professional Skills-Building

›

Service Learning

›

Networking

›

Travel

›

Awards and Recognition

›

A Scholarly Mindset

›

Honors Graduation Regalia

Motlow PTK Advisors recognized as outstanding educators and leaders:

›

Pins, Medallions, Stoles, Cords

›

Honors Seal of College Degree

›

Faculty-Student Relationships

• Misty Griffith, First Place, Continued Excellence Advisor

›

Faculty Letters of Recommendation

›

Lifelong Friendships

›

University Recruitment

›

Job Resumé Accomplishments

• Rebekah Randall, First Place, Publication in Creative Non-fiction; 1st Place, Distinguished Officer Award

The regional Alpha Xi Pi chapter of PTK positively impacts Motlow’s campus life and learning culture. It benefits all Motlow students, current and future, through its service learning projects. Its College Project and Honors in Action Project are exemplary examples of how teamwork makes the dream work.

Benefits of PTK

• Keira PfefferKorn, First Place, Extemporaneous Speech Competition

• Advisor Team Award, Second Place, Distinguished Advisor Team: Gregg Garrison, Dayron Deaton-Owens, Misty Griffith, Laura Brown, Rob Keel, and Dawn Copeland

Motlow PTK Chapter Regional Awards: • 5 Star Chapter Status (highest possible) • Reach Award (highest possible recruitment percentages) • Icarus Award • Chapter of Light • Second Place, Distinguished Chapter • Second Place, Honors in Action Project • Second Place, College Project

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

MOTLOW HOME TO FIRST

SEPSIS CONFERENCE

otlow was home and host to the nation’s first privately funded Think Sepsis First conference. The initiative is a stellar example of the power of public-private partnerships to work together to advance shared missions and achieve common goals. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis is a life-threatening, time-sensitive, often preventable infection. Sepsis is the leading cause of hospital deaths. Prevention depends upon early recognition, timely treatment, and infection prevention. The pathway toward prevention is dependent upon proper training of healthcare professionals and improved community awareness.

The Health Sciences division at Motlow partnered with survivors of families touched by sepsis, regional healthcare organizations, and philanthropists to plan, organize, and lead Think Sepsis First. The conference provided CEUs for health professionals and served as a

real-world problem solving and critical thinking

assignment for Motlow nursing students. The event brought a compelling national topic into Motlow classrooms, and it helped raise community awareness that has already touched thousands of lives. More than 300 attendees participated in Motlow’s Think Sepsis First collaborative led by Dean of Nursing and Applied Science, Pat Hendrix. Partners included experts from Vanderbilt, Saint Thomas Health, Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems, as well as program founder and underwriter, Debra Smith, Dean of Students at Motlow State. Smith’s husband John, lost his life to sepsis. He was Vice President of Operations of Franke in Fayetteville. Smith was memorialized by his family through the underwriting of Think Sepsis First.

Pictured, l-r: Jamie L. Smith, RN, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital quality manager; John Beuerlein, M.D.; Debra Smith, Motlow dean of students; Pat Hendrix, Motlow dean of nursing and allied health; Misti Edwards, PharmD; and Pratick Pandharipande, M.D, professor of anesthesiology and surgery, Vanderbilt University.

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LEADERSHIP & VISION

otlow provided me a competitive advantage through the Dual Enrollment program, jumpstarting an educational journey that continues today. I attended Motlow beginning in the fall of 2010 while still in high school in Fayetteville. The 15 credit hours I accumulated at the Motlow Fayetteville campus enabled me to finish my four-year degree in three years. Motlow was the solid foundation I needed to move ahead of my classmates and begin achieving my academic goals. I was at a point in my life where I was deciding what my future was going to become. Although I was heavily invested in basketball in high school, I decided to let that go and focus on my education. Taking classes at Motlow sparked a flame inside me that has yet to die down. It provided the building blocks for my educational career. The time I spent at Motlow helped me to understand and realize what I wanted to do with my life: pursue education. While the credit hours I earned were essential to me, I recognize the lessons learned at Motlow have continued to play an important role in my confidence through the years. continued on page 35

MAQUEBA MASSEY

MOTLOW GRADUATE 2011 DOCTORAL STUDENT

M OT LO W STAT E

LEADERSHIP & VISION

History of Motlow I

n every culture and every community there are important milestones of progress and planning that can point to a genesis moment, an iconic leader, or dedicated group of people who started something big enough and important enough for others to continue. Motlow has all of that. Our story begins at a critical moment in Middle Tennessee history, led by a group partnered in a common cause who were enabled by an iconic personality. This coalesced to craft something wonderful that gives everyone a foundation upon which we continue to build. This year Motlow celebrated its 50th graduating class and conferred degrees and certificates to more than 1,000 students. The lives that have been changed, the careers that have been launched, and the economic impact that has reverberated throughout the communities we serve are worthy of pausing and reflecting upon whence we have come.

CHANGING LIVES AND FORMING PARTNERSHIPS Since it opened in September 1969, Motlow has had one overriding goal – to change lives. Its pursuit of partnerships has greatly enhanced the College’s ability to accomplish this goal. Whether it is the partnering of student and teacher or private industry and the College, or Motlow and other educational institutions, Motlow could never have become the powerhouse it has become without forming strong partnerships within the community and around the world. Changing lives and forming partnerships. That’s what Motlow is about. That is who we are. The dream began in 1955 in the Legislative Council of the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville with a study called, Public Higher Education in Tennessee. That study was concluded in 1957 but it was not acted on until 1963, when Governor

REAGOR MOTLOW

Frank Clement determined the time was right. The legislature funded $100,000 annually to study the feasibility of establishing community colleges in our state. In February 1965, the State Board of Education adopted a committee recommendation to establish twoyear colleges in Tennessee. That same month, Tullahoma-Manchester Chamber of Commerce President Morris L. Simon and Chamber members advanced the vision of building a community college in the Tullahoma economic hub. On a motion by A.H. Sanders and a second by Newell Comer, the Chamber voted unanimously to appoint a permanent committee to spearhead the project. Members of the committee were Simon, Clifton R. Lewis, W.H. Hawkersmith, L.B. Jennings, and Tullahoma Mayor Floyd Mitchell. The project grew

Fall ‘73

Enrollment exceeds 1,000

June ‘74

1965

March ‘68

Construction began on the original five Moore County campus buildings, a $2.7M project.

Dec. ‘68

Dr. Sam Ingram appointed first president

First Nursing Program graduates class of 13

Sept. 1969

March ‘70

Motlow opens with 551 students and 18 full-time faculty

April ‘70

1969

The 187-acre site for the college was donated by the Motlow family of Lynchburg, Tennessee. Because of this generous gift and because of Senator Reagor Motlow’s contributions to education in Tennessee, Governor Buford Ellington recommended that the College be named Motlow State Community College.

Baseball debuts

Formal dedication ceremonies are held

Feb. ‘69 Temporary office opens at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma April ‘69 First faculty

members are hired

Nov. ‘69 Men’s basketball

debuts

Winter 1975

Motlow opens Shelbyville, Winchester, and Fayetteville teaching sites

Nov. ‘74

Women’s basketball debuts

Dec. ‘74

Dr. Don England named interim president

June 1971 First graduating class – 79 students

Summer 1977 Feb. ‘75

Dr. Harry Wagner named 2nd president

Dec. ‘71 Motlow fully accredited by SACS

Motlow Development Council is formed

Fall 1977

Enrollment exceeds 2,000. Honors Program established

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into an area undertaking when officials of the Upper Duck River Development Association and the Elk River Development Association invited Simon to discuss the project with both groups. The result was a resolution to begin partnership efforts for locating a community college in the area served by the two associations.

WHY MOORE COUNTY When a preliminary study revealed Moore County to be the center of the then seven-county region, a meeting in March 1965 produced a plan to notify state Board Of Education Commissioner J. Howard Warf of an official request to locate a community college approximately four miles from Tullahoma in Moore County. Among those chosen to serve on the joint committee were Simon, W.H. Hagan and David W. Shields of Coffee County; Harry Logue and Ervin Thomas of Bedford County; J.O. Barnes and Thomas B. Green of Marshall County; Malcolm Fults and Glenn Bonner of Grundy County; Paul Rose and J. D. Massey of Franklin County; Dan Masters and Don Bobo of Moore County, and E.C. Norman and J.C. King of Lincoln County. The first concrete pledge of financial support came on June 3, 1965, when the Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen pledged $150,000. It was later determined that a total of $400,000 would be

required; $250,000 plus the cost of real estate. Tullahoma agreed to provide the $250,000, and the Motlow family pledged the gift of property. Later, Coffee County gave $25,000, Franklin County $10,000, Moore County $2,000, and the city of Normandy $500.

WHY MOTLOW On Tuesday, June 13, 1967, Tullahoma Mayor Pro Temp O.B. Carroll, along with Simon, took a check for $250,000 to the State Board of Education meeting in Nashville.

Because of the Motlow family’s generous gift of 187 acres, and in recognition of Senator Motlow’s contributions to education in Tennessee, Governor Buford Ellington and Commissioner Warf recommended the name Motlow State Community College. Senator Motlow argued against the action, claiming the naming of the College was not why the family was donating the land, but the governor was insistent, and thus Motlow State Community College was founded.

BREAKING GROUND Groundbreaking ceremonies were held November 26, 1967, with Governor Ellington, Commissioner Warf, and approximately 250 persons from surrounding counties in attendance. Martindale Brothers, a Murfreesboro firm, was awarded the contract for construction of the original five buildings – almost 140,000 square feet to accommodate 1,200 students.

Included in the delegation were Nelson Forrester, Representative Pat Lynch, Senator Reagor Motlow, and Senator Ernest Crouch. Joining Senator Motlow in the gift of land for the college site were his wife Jeannie; his brothers, Connor, Robert, and D.E. Motlow; his mother, Mrs. Lem Motlow; his sister, Mrs. James Boyd; and his uncle, Tom Motlow.

In December 1968, Dr. Sam H. Ingram, dean of the school of education at Middle Tennessee State University, was named president of Motlow effective Feb. 1, 1969. The College opened temporary administrative offices at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma on Feb. 3. On Sept. 22, 1969, after almost five years of planning and work by a group of dedicated citizens.

1987

Dr. A Frank Glass named 3rd president

1997

Fall ‘92

Dual Enrollment for highschool students begins

Fayetteville campus opens

1979

Nursing program fully accredited

Fall 1997

Fall ‘83

Enrollment exceeds 3,300

Eoff Hall opens

1983

Service area expands to 11 counties

M OT LO W STAT E

1987

McMinnville Campus breaks ground

1986

Dr. Wade Powers named interim president

Fall ‘88

McMinnville campus opens

1989

1981

March ‘94

Women’s softball debuts

Sept. ‘95

First Windows-based computers are installed

Formal dedication ceremonies were held April 19, 1970. In his dedicatory address, Commissioner Warf termed the occasion “only the end of the beginning” and dedicated the College to a “lifelong career of service to those who dared to dream a dream.” Motlow began with 551 students, 100 day classes, 12 night classes, 18 fulltime faculty, and seven adjunct faculty.

Motlow enrollment exceeds 7,000

2019

THE END OF THE BEGINNING Motlow’s first graduating class was presented at commencement ceremonies June 4, 1971, as 79 students were granted associate degrees. A milestone came in December 1971 when Motlow received full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In the 50 years since that first graduating class, Motlow State has grown at a phenomenal rate, surpassing the 1,800-enrollment mark in 1976, and by 1999 enrollment was 3,300. Ten years ago enrollment surpassed 5,000, and this fall, for the fifth year in a row, Motlow set a new all-time enrollment record of approximately 7,000 students.

THEN TO NOW We have grown from five buildings on a single site in Moore County to 15 buildings at five different locations, including an 80,000 square-foot beautiful structure that opened December 2019 on our Smyrna campus. Those numbers include the surge of activity happening on our Sparta campus, where the seeds

DR. SAM INGRAM 1ST PRESIDENT

1969

Motlow opens with 551 students

are being planted for a new facility on the horizon. Partnerships are being formed. Lives are being changed. Motlow is a story of the power of public-private partnerships. The pattern of public-private partnerships is the common thread that weaves through the history of this college. Public-private partnerships that have begun in living rooms, over lunch, at the lake, and on the golf course. Publicprivate partnerships between philanthropists, business owners, community leaders, elected officials, and entrepreneurial educators. Public-private partnerships that started small, built steam, swung for the fence, and scored the winning run. Partnerships that invested in doing the right thing at the right time. Visit the college’s 50th Anniversary website, Motlow50.com, for more College and student success stories.

DR. MICHAEL TORRENCE 7TH PRESIDENT

THANK YOU As a College, we say thank you to the presidents of Motlow, including Dr. Sam Ingram, Dr. Harry Wagner, Dr. A. Frank Glass, Dr. Arthur Walker, Dr. MaryLou Apple, Dr. Anthony Kinkel, and our current president, Dr. Michael Torrence. Thank you to our interim presidents Dr. Don England, Dr. Wade Powers, and Hilda Tunstill. We especially thank the families of those early pioneers with the big dreams who pushed the envelope relentlessly to secure a community college in southern middle Tennessee, including Morris Simon, Claire Eoff, G. Nelson Forrester, Hubert Crouch, Doc and Mo Nisbett, A.H. Sanders, A.C. Jennings, L.B. Jennings, Floyd Mitchell, O.B. Carroll, Senator Ernest Crouch, and of course Senator Reagor Motlow and the Motlow family.

2006

Smyrna campus construction begins

2003

1998 1998

Motlow named among the “most wired campuses” by PC World Magazine

Fall ‘98

The Rutherford County teaching site opens at Riverdale High School

1999

Marcum Technology Center opens

Aug. 2001

Don Sundquist Center for Advanced Technologies opens at Fayetteville campus

Dr. Arthur L. Walker named 4th president

Oct. 2006

Smyrna building named for Dr. Walker

2006

Motlow baseball player Bryan Morris is 1st-round MLB draft pick

Jan. 2008 Clayton-Glass Library opens

Fall 2008

Nursing program expands to McMinnville

July ‘06

2009

Sparta site opens

Smyrna campus opens

2009

2003

Dr. MaryLou Apple named 5th president

Fall 2018

Motlow named #1 Top-Performing college in Tennessee

April 2016 The Mechatronics program, the first in Tennessee, begins on the McMinnville campus

Smyrna Building 2 opens, named for Dr. Apple

Hilda Tunstill named interim president

August 2017

Women’s soccer debuts

Aug. 2015

Dr. Anthony Kinkel named 6th president

April 2019

July 2017

2018

Enrollment surpasses 5,000

Automation & Robotics Training Center opens in McMinnville

May 2018

Dr. Michael L. Torrence named 7th president

Dec. 2019

Smyrna Building 3 opens

Fall 2019

Motlow is again named #1 Top-Performing college in Tennessee

2019

Enrollment reaches almost 7,000

2019

Jan. 2010

Fall ‘19 to Spring ‘20 FALL CONVOCATION ANNIVERSARY KICKOFF August 22, 2019

FOUNDERS’ DAY September 29, 2019

50 STOPS / 50 STORIES August 2019 – December 2020

SMYRNA BUILDING 3 GRAND OPENING December 17, 2019

FAMILY FUN DAY September 28, 2019

LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING January 10, 2020

SPRING ASSEMBLY CELEBRATION January 16, 2020 EMERALD & GOLD GALA March 7, 2020 GRADUATION GIFT BOX July 2020 OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

50TH ANNIVERSARY ARTIFACTS

COLLECTIBLE LAPEL PIN GRADUATION GIFT BOX M OT LO W STAT E

LEGISLATIVE PROCLAMATION

LEADERSHIP & VISION

his year Motlow received the prestigious Minuteman Award in recognition of the College’s support of Tennessee National Guard members. The award honors the College’s participation in the Tennessee STRONG Act (Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen), and its contribution to the National Guard community through education.

STRONG Support of

NATIONAL GUARD

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The Tennessee STRONG Act provides eligible members of the Tennessee National Guard tuition funding toward a first-time bachelor’s degree. Its goal is to expand opportunities for those who protect and serve Tennessee and country. National Guard Tennessee STRONG Act candidates must be enrolled at an eligible institution such as Motlow and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, apply for and use federal tuition assistance, be serving in good standing with the Tennessee National Guard, and then apply for reimbursement of college tuition costs within 90 days of course completion. To learn more about Motlow support for veterans and military families, email veteranservices@mscc.edu.

MOTLOW RECEIVES MINUTEMAN AWARD FROM TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD Motlow received the prestigious Minuteman Award in recognition of the College’s support of Tennessee National Guard members in education. Pictured (left) with the award is Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president. The award is particularly meaningful to Torrence as he is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving as a senior airman from 1992 to 1996. Pictured (below-top) from the presentation ceremony, l-r: Gary Winton, Motlow assistant director of recruitment and new student services, Motlow Smyrna campus; First Lieutenant Elissa Vasquez; Senior Airman Brianna Samuels; Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president; Major Helena Mann; Staff Sargeant Joseph Baydoun; and Dr. Gregory Killough, academic dean, Motlow Smyrna campus.

Motlow

STRONG Motlow is a Tennessee STRONG Act eligible

institution. STRONG is a pilot program providing eligible members of the Tennessee

National Guard with tuition funding toward a first-time

bachelor’s degree via a tuition reimbursement program.

The STRONG Act provides

educational opportunities for those who protect and serve our nation.

Motlow’s knowledgeable

veteran’s benefit staff members are ready to assist military

families. Let us help you with the certification process for your Veterans Education

Benefits. Reach out to us at veteranservices@mscc.edu

Recognition event for Motlow employee veterans

M OT LO W STAT E

STRATEGY & PLANNING

EXPANSION IN SMYRNA CREATES EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

he College celebrated the grand opening of the $28 million, 82,000 square-foot Building 3 in Smyrna. The new space was an essential expansion for Motlow’s fastest-growing campus. Smyrna’s growth combined with the College’s other campuses has made Motlow one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation. Smyrna 3 is another testimony to the essential pursuit of public-private partnerships. The new building would not have been possible without the financial, political, leadership, and planning support of the greater Smyrna community. Approximately 10% of the funding for the

initiative came from public-private partnerships. One of Motlow’s greatest commitments to student success includes ensuring access to higher education. Access means class space, the availability of teaching technologies, available support services, and appropriate student-to-staff/faculty ratios. The Smyrna expansion supports all of those needs. “The public-private partnerships fueling the capacitybuilding we are witnessing at Motlow are powerful,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president. “Together, we are expanding our ability to produce an educated workforce that will attract new industries and better jobs. We are better able to achieve great things together.”

Mayor Mary Esther Reed, Town of Smyrna

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NEW ASSETS

In addition to more classrooms, the building made way for a new library, bookstore, labs, one-stop center and much-needed faculty office space.

Key financial partners for Smyrna 3: • • • • • • • • •

Town of Smyrna Rutherford County Commission Rutherford County Industrial Development Board City of LaVergne John D. Floyd Foundation The Clayton Family Foundation Middle TN Electric Membership Corporation Motlow College Foundation Additional businesses and individuals

Alumni Shery Girgis speaks at Smyrna Building 3 Grand Opening. See page 44 for her story.

32 CLASSROOMS

NEW BOOKSTORE

7 LABORATORIES

STUDENT SERVICES ONE-STOP

50 FACULTY & STAFF OFFICES

STUDENT LOUNGE

NEW LIBRARY

MULTI-PURPOSE MEETING SPACE

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE FACULTY AND STAFF AT LIPSCOMB GENUINELY CARE FOR THEIR STUDENTS AND WANT TO SEE THEM SUCCEED. — Rachel Towle Motlow State Community College, class of 2019; Lipscomb University, class of 2021

TRANSFER INTO OPPORTUNITY. As a nationally ranked institution, Lipscomb University is committed to partnering with you on your path to success. And as the only Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll university in Middle Tennessee, we’ve developed our community college transfer pathway to make the process as seamless as possible for you. Here, you’ll find the support you need to finish well and the value that makes your degree count.

TOGETHER we pursue EXCELLENCE. M OT LO W STAT E

TEACHING & LEARNING

2020 Faculty

Excellence

Awards

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istinguished adjunct faculty and fulltime faculty members were acknowledged for their ingenuity, passion, and commitment to student success. The Motlow College Foundation has sponsored this time-honored traditional award since 1978. The Faculty Excellence Awards recognize those who excel in the areas of professional

activities and development; instructional activities, improvement, retention and completion activities; noninstructional college service, community service, and student evaluations. Their innovative teaching skills, dedication, and allegiance to the community is an inspiration to others. They engage and challenge students to make positive changes for themselves and the enhancement of future generations. Motlow faculty believe teaching matters and they understand the value of compassion in education.

FACULTY WINNERS: 1. DONNA BREWER / Assistant Professor, English 2. STACY DOWD / Natural Science Curriculum Chair;

Assistant Professor, Biology

3. ANDREA GREEN / Assistant Professor, English;

Learning Support Coordinator for Reading & Writing

4. DR. STEPHEN GUERIN / Professor, Psychology 5. DR. PAM HARRIS / Associate Professor,

Psychology and Sociology

ADJUNCT FACULTY WINNERS: 6. MELANIE BISHOP, DDS / Adjunct Assistant Professor, Biology 7. ROXANNE EVANS / Adjunct Instructor First Year Experience,

Library Unveils Digital Archives In celebration of our 50th anniversary, Motlow Librarians created a new digital archive of Motlow records. The content of the new archives includes newspaper articles, old photographs, and even yearbooks. The College’s Library staff collected, curated, and digitized these historical artifacts to ensure their accessibility, protection, and shareability. They use these resources to teach students the value of original sources and to help researchers with special projects. Motlow’s 50-year heritage is evidenced throughout these valued resources. The lengthy and labor-intensive archival project preserves in perpetuity a host of delicate documents, many of which are one-of-akind, and some of which were seriously deteriorating. Digitizing them protects them from both age and catastrophe. The online galleries also make the content accessible to more library users. To find yourself or a family member in an old yearbook, or to peruse old photos of events and classmates, go to msccarchives.omeka.net

Completion Coach

8. SARA STRINGFIELD / Adjunct Associate Professor,

Mathematics

Awards made possible by:

M OT LO W STAT E

LEADERSHIP & VISION

PATHS to PROFESSIONS 30

Pictured are Dr. Michael Torrence and Larry Flatt at the ARTC with the Community Colleges of Appalachia Award.

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he workplace is evolving quickly and Motlow is rising to meet the challenge. We now offer more ways to start college, finish faster, advance your career, and build your business. Motlow’s mission is student success and workforce development. We build the programs, pathways, and partnerships essential to launching new careers quickly.

Robotics Awards

GIVE Grant fueled with $1million

Motlow is a national leader in credentialing for robotics training. Motlow’s Automation and Robotics Training Center (ARTC) in McMinnville is the only facility in the nation prepared to credential workers for the top three robotics manufacturers in the world: ABB, FANUC, and Yaskawa Motoman.

Motlow State and its partners were awarded a state grant for $949,410 through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program. The grant funds teaching high-demand technical skills in both college, secondary, and community environments. This grant is just one of several supporting technical skills training at Motlow.

Appalachia Recognizes ARTC The Community Colleges of Appalachia selected Motlow’s Automation & Robotics Training Center for its annual Workforce Development Innovation Award. The award recognizes the impact of the ARTC on the economic landscape of the Appalachian region by preparing a skilled workforce for highwage, high-demand careers.

King Recognized by FANUC Charlie King became Motlow’s first FANUC Certified Education Robotics Training (CERT) program instructor. King has over 35 years of experience with robotics and automation in the manufacturing industry. FANUC America is a world leader in manufacturing industrial robots.

Automation Partners The ARTC announced new partnerships with five of the world’s leading automation companies. Motlow has relationships with Irby for Allen Bradley training, Wesco for Siemens training, Bertelkamp for Mitsubishi, Southern Controls for Omron, and Parker FluidPower Company. Learners can complete industry-recognized short-term training in robotics and advanced manufacturing leading to or advancing high-wage, highdemand jobs.

Philanthropy Supports Training MotlowTrained and its public-private partners created a relief fund for Middle Tennesseans financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The fund scholarships short-term training for those interested in upskilling for advancement, preparing themselves to re-enter the workforce, or making a career pivot.

M OT LO W STAT E

Small Business Accelerator Motlow joined a five-county collaborative of area chambers of commerce, downtown groups, economic development agencies, and industrial boards to develop resources to accelerate the growth of area small businesses. The group proved to be a powerful collaborative force fueling the region’s capacity for recovery after economic challenge by offering marketrelevant resources at no cost.

Be a Doer, Be an Entrepreneur The launch of a new online degree program in entrepreneurship allows students across the nation to study the strategies necessary to launch and lead a new business. Classes include business planning, strategic visioning, marketing, management, finance, accounting, customer service, and operations.

Customer Service Certification Short-term college credit certification courses in Customer Service launched recently to prepare rising sales and service professionals to advance in industries such as banking, healthcare, retail, and entrepreneurial arenas. Completion prepares students to take the three Work Key assessments that make up the National Career Readiness Certificate which is recognized by Site Selection Magazine as one of the top criteria businesses used to determine the best location for opening a new site.

training facility. ABB certifies campuses through a rigorous process that prepares them to provide short-term instruction using the company’s proprietary training and certification curriculum.

Community-Building News Column Motlow’s Shelley Smith launched “Our Town” a weekly editorial column in the Sunday edition of Tullahoma News. The column strengthens Motlow’s connection to the communities it serves by highlighting achievable, incremental strategies for civic success.

Google IT Support Certification MotlowTrained recently launched a new short-term training program leading to certification in Google IT Support. For students interested in fast-track learning, this innovative curriculum leads to great entry-level roles in IT careers.

37th, 31st, 7th, 1st The Tullahoma-Manchester market was recently recognized as the 37th leading Micropolitan in the nation for corporate expansion by POLICOM, an independent economics research firm specializing in analysis of local and state economies in the context of national economic development. The index measures economic impact on the quality of life and standard of living of people who live and work in the areas studied. The region was named the 31st best Micropolitan in the nation by Site Selection Magazine. The region was named 7th in the nation by the Heartland Forward Institute for Micropolitans with strong entrepreneurial ecosystems. The region is the #1 Micropolitan in Tennessee.

ABB Robotics Affiliate Motlow is now a member of ABB’s Robotics Affiliate Education Program. The ARTC is ABB’s sixth US affiliate

POLICIES & PRACTICES

PARTNERSHIPS Elevate Student Success

rticulation agreements are unique collaborations between Motlow and partner universities to make transferring credits easy and sure. Motlow is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Credits earned in all Motlow for-credit classes will transfer to other colleges and universities. Articulation agreements ensure those credits are recognized as part of a student’s plan of study.

Transfer Agreements with Motlow Include:

Articulation agreements help students stay on course to graduate on time, complete with the maximum amount of savings, ensure students are considered for transfer scholarships, and help students build important institution-to-institution relationships. Every articulation agreement is a little different. All agreements have unique requirements such as minimum GPA or parameters on the number of hours that transfer.

• South College

Some agreements have exclusive benefits like scholarships, financial aid, early access to fitness programs, bookstore discounts, or automatic college acceptance. To qualify for articulation agreement benefits, students must complete a qualifying program at Motlow by following a current transfer agreement plan.

• University of Arkansas

• Argosy University • Athens State University • Austin Peay State University • East Tennessee State University • Kaplan University • King University • Martin Methodist College • Middle Tennessee State University • Murray State University • Strayer University • TCAT Livingston • TCAT Shelbyville • Tennessee State University • Tennessee Technical University • Trevecca Nazarene University • University of Phoenix • University of Tennessee Chattanooga • Western Governors University • Williamson College For more information, visit motlow.com/transfer

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TEACHING & LEARNING

dvancing student success at every level requires partnerships, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit among educators. Motlow wants every student to pursue the education they need to achieve their personal dreams and professional aspirations. To achieve that, Motlow collaborates with other colleges to bring new bachelor degree programs to Motlow campuses.

Bachelor’s Degrees at Motlow The results of these partnerships are called 2+2 agreements. Students complete two years of Motlow programming and then complete two years of another college’s programs on a Motlow campus to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Motlow 2+2 associates-tobachelor’s degree programs include:

2+2 programs are great options

• Agriculture-Animal Science with TSU (Fayetteville campus)

• Education with MTSU (Smyrna campus) • Education with TTU (Moore and McMinnville campuses)

for students who are not able to relocate to earn their bachelor’s degree. These programs allow students to live and work in their community, maintain family responsibilities, and start building their professional networks early by engaging them in classes that would otherwise not be accessible in their hometown.

• Agriculture-Business with TSU (Fayetteville campus) • Criminal Justice with TSU • Mechatronics with TSU (McMinnville Campus) To learn more about 2+2 degrees at Motlow in these majors, contact info@mscc.edu.

Launch your big idea by earning your Entrepreneurship degree online. Enroll today at motlow.com/doer

Motlow State is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Sections 504/ADA Employer. motlow.com/non-discrimination | DG-MKT-0001-2020.04.29

M OT LO W STAT E

LEADERSHIP & VISION

otlow State has meant a tremendous amount to my family and me over the years. My wife, brother, daughter, father, father-in-law, and mother-inlaw, as well as myself, are all part of the Motlow student success story. I knew I wanted to stay close to home to begin my college career. Although my parents would have sent me wherever I wanted to go to college, I was not ready to be away from home. I attended Motlow from 1988-90, serving as Student Government Association (SGA) President and freshman class President. I knew I would receive a top-notch education at Motlow, but what I didn’t realize was that Motlow was going to allow me to continue developing my leadership skills and opportunities for many years to come. I formed lasting relationships with faculty, staff, and students that are still part of my life.

I think the thing that impressed me the most about Motlow from day one was the caring attitude of the faculty and staff. Many of them went above and beyond the call of duty. To this day, I still stay in contact with some of them. They followed up with me as I pursued my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Middle Tennessee State University. They taught me more than subject matter, showing me that “caring” was a part of education. They wanted me

Motlow means so much to our area. We have been blessed with a robust presidential leadership team over the years. Motlow is one of the fastest-growing colleges in the country. Motlow provides so much to Tennessee through employment, economic impact, cultural enrichment, and education. With continued support, I look for Motlow to continue to grow and have a positive impact in our area.

to succeed in LIFE, not just the classroom.

I have served on the Motlow Foundation since 2006 and had the opportunity to serve as Foundation Chairman for two years. I continue

to make Motlow a priority in my life. As a family, we attend many Motlow activities. My wife, Lori, has two Motlow degrees, including being a Registered Nurse with the Tullahoma City School system. We participate in many events on campus and support the college whenever needed.

DARYL WELCH

MOTLOW GRADUATE 1990 REAL ESTATE BROKER | HARTON REALTY

OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

(continued from Tennessee Farmer Cultivates World Class Mechatronics Career, Page 8) Peters, Executive Director at TSU, to develop the partnership that produced the articulation agreement benefiting Matthew. The goals of the 2+2 articulation agreement, and the scholarships that go with it, are designed to encourage more young people to pursue these high-demand careers. “If we can demonstrate we have a workforce with high-tech skills like Matthew, then we will attract more great companies like Bridgestone,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State. “That in-turn will mean more high-paying jobs for our region.” Success is a mindset Motlow cultivates in students. Matthew’s swift and early success is an example of what Motlow wants for all students. This edition of Ovation includes a complete list of all the 2+2 articulation agreements the College has cultivated to support student success. If you are interested in cultivating your own pathway to success, ask Motlow how free-tuition scholarships and student success coaches can launch your world-class career. “Do what you love,” concluded Matthew. “You will have a happy and successful life. I feel so blessed. I hope to stay with Bridgestone my entire career. My plan is to continue to grow with them.” (continued from Mary Kate Brown, Page 11) MTSU in May 2020. I majored in communication: culture and social influence and minored in psychology. I was president of the communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, and I won the 2019 Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award from the Tennessee Communication Association.

I am now a full-time student at Vanderbilt majoring in Education with a focus in Learning Diversity and Urban Studies. Motlow gave me a safe place to learn about the process of higher education while challenging me to grow as a person and a scholar. I will be forever grateful to my Motlow family for helping me navigate the twists and turns of real adult life and academic success. Go Bucks!

(continued from MaQueba Massey, Page 15) I look back on my time at Motlow with fond memories. I can see that the Motlow classes I took helped form me as a person; especially my communications class, where I learned effective interpersonal engagement. Since I was a young high school student, I needed to learn about various methods of communication. That knowledge and awareness has continuously helped me in building quality relationships and understanding people, and set the tone for my personal and professional development. The Motlow culture was very open and welcoming, which made me feel at home. It was easy to make friends and build relationships with faculty and staff. Motlow instructors genuinely wanted me to grow and learn and to be a better person. Being in that type of environment and culture, where you know that someone is looking out for you, willing to mentor or sponsor you, made all the difference. My advice to high-school students is don’t discount the opportunities that come with the community college experience. At Motlow, you can build your educational foundation, the building blocks to your future, and achieve success. Community college is more personable than a university. At Motlow, you aren’t just a number.

OVATI ON M AGAZI N E EDI TOR Terri Bryson / DES I G N ER Kyle Henn WR I TER S Scott Shasteen / Davis Seal / Terri Bryson / Kyle Henn / Buddy Bumpus PH OTOGR APH ER Christian O’Grady / AD S AL ES Buddy Bumpus

M OT LO W STAT E

Your classmates and professors genuinely get to know you. They become your mentors, and they hold you to a higher standard. I highly recommend the Motlow experience to every high-school student considering college. After graduating from Motlow, I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University and my master’s degree from Tennessee State University. I am currently a doctoral student at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Education is my passion, and I am forever grateful to Motlow for giving me a successful beginning to my postsecondary educational journey.

(continued from Abigail Robertson, Page 53) for 50 years, and it is my honor and privilege to be a part of the alumni that continue to write its history. Motlow’s impressive growth emphasizes the vital roles community colleges play in bridging gaps and making the pursuit of opportunity and academic success accessible to all. Whenever we choose a courageous path – to take a road less traveled – we subject ourselves to what seems like unrelenting criticism and ridicule. While facing the ever-rising cost of college, all high schoolers and adult learners should have the courage to be different and give community college a second look. I would highly recommend Motlow to anyone searching to grow personally, be academically challenged, and achieve no matter their circumstances. I am full of excitement for what Motlow has to offer the next generation of lifelearners.

Motlow State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age status as a protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. PA-MKT-0009-2020.06.08

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

SOAR WINNER

haron Kay Edwards, Motlow Librarian, was selected as the 2020 Staff Member of the Year. She was selected by the Tennessee Board of Regents’ (TBR) in its second annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards. TBR is the governing body for Tennessee’s 13 public 2-year colleges and the state’s 27 colleges of applied technology. TBR established the SOAR Awards program to recognize and honor outstanding students, faculty and staff members at colleges across the state, and to honor the

Sharon Edwards 2020 Community College Staff Member of the Year

major accomplishments of all its institutions of higher learning. The SOAR Staff Excellence Award’s foremost criterion is performance excellence within their profession. Consideration in the selection process is given to examples of patterns of benefit to the department, college, field of specialty, and communities served. Candidates must be able to demonstrate professional distinction that rises above expected job responsibilities and reflects excellence in service to a variety of stakeholders.

Sharon’s history of stellar performance makes her an

exemplary SOAR awardee. She is passionate about raising awareness for expanding library services. She has developed meaningful relationships with state leaders to cultivate their advocacy for building strong communities by ensuring strong libraries. Working tirelessly as a champion for service to others through Tennessee libraries, Sharon is in her third year of leadership as the Tennessee Library Association’s (TLA) Legislative Monitor and Chair

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of the Legislative Committee. Her advocacy efforts earned her TLA’s Making a Difference Award in 2019. Edwards and her colleagues’ activism for increased library funding has produced impressive results. The House Appropriations Committee recently approved a $25

million increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and $17 million for the Library Services and Technology Act.

empowered by working with other entrepreneurial educators who have a passion for advancing the opportunities for others.

Motlow is fortunate to be able to recruit and retain stellar professionals like Edwards. Her ability to lead and achieve is

Edwards is passionate about developing information literary among students, faculty, and community members. Her passion

Edwards’ roster of accomplishments include: › Serving as one of only ten librarians selected nationwide for service in the American Library Association’s second Policy Corps cohort (2019).

› Presentation leader at the Tennessee Association of School Libraries’ annual conference (2018).

› Served the American Library Association’s Advocacy Fly-In initiative, advocating for LSTA funding among elected officials in Tennessee (2019-2020). › Programs Chair for Tennessee Library Association’s annual conference committee (2019).

› Panelist and subject matter expert for Library Advocacy at TLA’s annual Conference (2018). › Initiative organizer for TLA’s annual conference postcard table; distributing more than 450 postcards to Washington DC leaders in support of Library funding (2017). › Developed a state index resource of state legislation affecting libraries (2016-2018).

› Chair of Tennessee Library Association’s Legislative Committee and responsible for all organizing efforts and day-of-coordination for Tennessee. › Library Legislative Day service leader (2016-Present).

› Led relationship-development initiatives using technology to spread Library advocacy awareness (2016-2019). › 2020 Tennessee Library Association President’s Award.

is fueled by witnessing the empowerment achieved when individuals possess the skills and tools to self-locate vital information. She is Apple Teacher Certified, G Suite Certified by Google, Ex Libris Primo Certified, and Ex Libris Alma Certified. She serves as a technical instructor teaching information literacy. She is dedicated to serving others, ensuring they have the access and skills to achieve college success, advance their careers, and make lasting change in their lives by seeking, finding, and applying the world’s ever-changing wealth of available information. Sharon Kay Edwards is evidence that when passion

meets purpose, one person CAN make a difference!

L-R: Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sharon Kay Edwards and Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Motlow Libraries are More than Books Motlow libraries are a blend of traditional library services and technology hubs for students and communities. Through recent expansions, the Moore County and Smyrna Campus Libraries are home to Virtual Reality Labs and boast a host of student team-meeting spaces and resources.

M OT LO W STAT E

› Online materials available 24/7

› Searchable journals, eBooks, news items, and more

› Answers to questions via email

› Helpful Videos › Access to free eTextbooks

› Community Printing Resources › Virtual Reality Labs

› Student ID Card services

Thought of in nineteen fifty, conceived in sixty-five, Broke ground in sixty-seven, came in sixty-nine kicking and alive. Born in Moore County, delivered by the educated, Elected people cuddled me, I came in first-rated. I was named after those gone on before,

Fifty Years and Growing

A poem dedicated to Motlow State Community College in celebration of its 50th Year Anniversary

Margaret Britton Vaughn Poet Laureate of Tennessee

I would make them proud, right down to my core. I was born with class, a hundred and more, Students came day and night, I was adored. Eighteen teachers rocked me, taught me all I know, It didn’t take me long, I began to grow. Had offspring of my own, they moved to different towns, Students went to them and earned their caps and gowns. You won’t believe the books I have on my shelf, It took a room to hold them along with everything else. I keep on getting bigger, you do when you get older, I’ve got a whole lot resting on my shoulder. So many have graduated throughout the days, And a big belly auditorium belched out all our plays. This year I’ll turn fifty, Lord, what a ride, Tennessee’s always been there standing by my side. I plan to live forever, for education, then graduation, Then send them out to serve, their place in this great nation. Now I’m middle-aged and still growing strong, Come by and visit me, the light is always on.

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MOTLOW S TATE

Motlow State is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Sections 504/ADA Employer. motlow.com/non-discrimination | PA-MKT-0010-2020.06.08

OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

DATA & TECHNOLOGY

Campus police provide a safe and secure environment for all four Motlow campuses. Pictured, l-r: Joe Brown, McMinnville campus; Allen Rhodes, Fayetteville campus; Ray Higginbotham, Moore County campus; and Randy Morris, Jr., Smyrna campus.

STUDENTS FEEL SAFE AT MOTLOW M

otlow is considered one of the safest colleges among Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions. Recent student surveys indicate that more than 99% of students feel safe at Motlow. “Ensuring that all students, faculty and staff at Motlow are safe and secure is top priority for Campus Police,” said Ray Higginbotham, director of public safety. “With substantial growth in the student population, we have taken substantial measures to keep pace with the security and safety needs.”

M OT LO W STAT E

Recent improvements to campus security include: upgrades and additions of security cameras, new mobile devices that improve response times and connect to the Tennessee statewide P25 communication system and local law enforcement agencies, a partnership with Verizon wireless to acquire cell phones for key staff members, enhancing the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies. Motlow campus police are experienced and welltrained. The Fayetteville, McMinnville, Moore, and Smyrna campuses all have full-time police officers who are certified through Tennessee Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST).

TEACHING & LEARNING

NEW DEGREES & CERTIFICATES F

or Motlow students to achieve successful careers, they need access to high-wage, high-demand career options. Motlow’s faculty and leadership are constantly reviewing job data and workforce trends to identify the degree programs and training opportunities with the greatest market demand and best wages.

All of Motlow’s academic programs must either prepare students to transfer into a four-year degree plan, prepare them to enter the workforce upon graduation, or help them advance in a current field. The doors of Motlow swing wide to welcome and support a diverse and empowered student body. Providing learners a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs is “job one” at Motlow. That’s why our College has a demonstrated history of being at the forefront of developing new programs and achieving high in-field job placement rates for graduates.

NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS:

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

CYBER SECURITY

CONCRETE MANAGEMENT

AGRICULTURE BUSINESS

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

AGRICULTURE/ANIMAL SCIENCE

BIOINFORMATICS

ROBOTICS CONCENTRATION WITHIN MECHATRONICS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MEDICAL OFFICE

MOTLOW 1-YEAR COLLEGE CREDIT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Motlow also offers one-year college credit certificate programs designed to help students move into or advance in the workforce as quickly as possible.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

MECHATRONICS

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

STRATEGY & PLANNING

$1 million for New

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION M

otlow and its partners were recently awarded nearly $1 million through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program for Teaching Innovative Learning Technologies. The project fuels Motlow’s commitment to build technology learning pathways between secondary and postsecondary education. Through this program hundreds of students will receive free or low-cost instruction in STEM topics. The grant furthers Tennessee’s Drive to 55 goals by bringing Motlow’s middle college mechatronics program to new learners in Fayetteville City and Lincoln County high schools. The project will also create a computer coding program for partner school districts. Participating middle school students will learn Swift coding. High school students will train in Python coding.

“Our primary goal through the GIVE grant is to foster and strengthen long-term regional partnerships between Motlow, industry, workforce development agencies, and K-12 school systems,” said Fred Rascoe, dean

of career and technical programs and project co-leader with Donald Choate, emerging technology liaison and trainer. Rascoe added, “We are excited to continue developing advanced learning programs for middle school and high school students that facilitate

students’ progression.” This grant is one of several generating more than $1 million for technical training at Motlow. Partnering with Motlow for the project are Fayetteville City, Lincoln County, and Warren County schools, FRANKE, Hamilton-Ryker TalentGro, VideoBomb, Fayetteville-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, Fayetteville-Lincoln County Industrial Development Board, and the McMinnville-Warren County Industrial Development Board.

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TEACHING & LEARNING

100% of the members of the first graduating class of one of Motlow’s newest programs, Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), recently passed their board certification. Pictured, front row l-r are graduates Peyton Cox, Kelly Martinez, and Keisha Daniel. Back row l-r, Jacoba McMillen, Melody Edmonds, assistant vice president of academic affairs; Pat Hendrix, dean of nursing and allied health; Rachel Simmons, Sarah Pinkston, Dr. Kim-Sue Tudor, director of medical laboratory technology; and Rebecca Landmark.

ACCREDITATION and 100% PASS RATE for Medical Lab Technology

ne of Motlow’s newest academic programs, Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), is off to a perfect start. Every member of the MLT inaugural graduating class received national certification through either the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). Motlow’s MLT program was recently accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences upon its first review. The achievement of a 100% student pass rate and new program accreditation is an impressive accomplishment and testifies to the quality of Motlow’s MLT leadership and instruction. The program was developed and led by Dr. Kim-Sue Tudor and Associate Vice President of Academics, Melody Edmonds. Medical Laboratory Technologists use biomedical instrumentation, as well as manual procedures, to perform testing and provide results essential in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Graduates from this 2-year program move rapidly into well-paying jobs in a growing healthcare industry. The national average starting salary for a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is $40,000 and advances quickly reaching into the $60,000 range with experience. MLT’s often enjoy flexible work hours, high wages, the ability to work in any state or community because they

M OT LO W STAT E

are in high-demand by a variety of employers. They work in diverse environments such as labs, hospitals, and clinical practices. Students interested in healthcare careers often spend years in college trying to qualify for acceptance into programs with limited enrollment. MLT is an alternative that offers greater acceptance rates and often leads to employment faster than other healthcare careers. MLT graduates often enjoy faster salary advancements than other 2-year healthcare careers. The national and state job forecasts for MLT employment is good. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Statistics website, the forecasted growth nationally in MLT employment over the next ten years is almost 14 percent. For more information on the Medical Laboratory Technology program at Motlow go to mscc.edu/nursing/ mlt or contact Dr. Kim-Sue Tudor, ktudor@mscc.edu or 615-220-7912.

TEACHING & LEARNING

Can Get You to Vanderbilt...Early

uretti Ahmad and Shery Girgis made the most of their Dual Enrollment experience. They took enough Dual Enrollment classes to be able to graduate from college the same month they graduated from high school. Now, they are both pre-med students at Vanderbilt University. Ahmad and Girgis participated in LaVergne High School Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored service organization for young people, and were Motlow Smyrna campus Dual Enrollment students. Positive educational outcomes for students have long been associated with the degree to which a student engages in extracurricular and co-curricular activity. Success in college strongly correlates with academic preparation, a strong support network, and a personal commitment to achievement. The partnership forged between Motlow’s Dual Enrollment program and the Rotary Interact Club provided Ahmad and Girgis

this essential foundation. The purpose of the Interact Club is to provide an opportunity for young people to work together in a world-fellowship dedicated to service and global understanding. Students participate in fun and meaningful community projects, develop leadership skills, and build interpersonal skills and self-esteem, all key ingredients supporting academic success.

Dual enrollment allows high school students to get a head start on their post-secondary education by taking collegelevel courses during their junior and senior years in high school.

Why Dual Enrollment Matters: › FREE tuition at Motlow › Easily transferable credits › Save on college tuition costs

› Get dual credit at high school & Motlow › An early start helps finish college faster

Dual Enrollment can help students with advanced degree goals such as medical school reduce the time it takes to complete their education. Both Ahmad and Girgis credit Motlow Dual Enrollment for helping them get to Vanderbilt ahead of schedule. They both continue to dedicate themselves to meaningful service to others through work with Vanderbilt’s Black Student Association, the Muslim Student Association, and Vanderbilt’s Dance Marathon which raises funds for Children’s Hospital.

Motlow is Tennessee’s #1 top-performing college and a leader in dual enrollment OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

Vanderbilt pre-med students Duretti Ahmad, left, and Shery Girgis, graduated from Motlow through its Dual Enrollment program before graduating from LaVergne High School.

M OT LO W STAT E

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURS

LAUNCH & SUSTAIN STELLAR PROGRAMS

illy Hix, retired Motlow instructor and founder of the college’s STEM Outreach program, recently traveled to Chile. There, he served as one of seven astronomy subject-matter experts chosen from across the United States for the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program (ACEAP). Chile is considered to be the telescope capital of the world. It boasts some of the best dark, cloudless night skies. It is home to a variety of telescopes located in the Andes mountains far from any city. “It is impossible to describe the dark skies of Chile. Their observatory hardware has no equal on the planet,” said Hix. “It was late winter when I was there. The weather was cool and the humidity was low. So, we had unrivaled views of the night sky.”

Hix is a stellar member of Motlow’s complement of exceptional leaders.

Throughout his exemplary career, he has served the public good as both a scientist and an educator. His contributions have earned him a remarkable portfolio of awards. These honors and recognitions testify to Motlow’s ability to recruit and retain education entrepreneurs willing to build new programs and launch great initiatives. Hix was selected as a 2018 STEM Advocate Award winner,

OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

recognizing a Tennessean who has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in STEM education through public advocacy and participation in leadership organizations that advance STEM education for students. He is also a 2019-2020 NASA Solar System Ambassador. He has also been recognized as STEM Teacher of the Year in the United States by the National Space Foundation. Hix visits more than 100 secondary schools each year. He uses his portable planetarium to point young people to the stars and provides standards-based lesson planning support for teachers. Last year alone, Hix reached more than 7,000 students and teachers across Tennessee. Follow Billy on Twitter @billyhix

Billy Hix begins another night under the stars inside the observatory at his residence in Shelbyville.

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M OT LO W STAT E

TEACHING & LEARNING LAVERGNE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Champions IN DUAL ENROLLMENT

otlow State was named the #1 Top-Performing College in Tennessee in 2019. Additionally, we were #2 in the state for dual enrollment student success. All high school students in our state are required to participate in Early Post-Secondary Opportunities (EPSOs). Dual Enrollment is an attractive EPSO option because students can earn college credit for classes taken during high school.

LaVergne High School is the #1 high school in dual enrollment graduates in Motlow’s Middle Tennessee service area. LaVergne has 42 students completing a Motlow degree along with their high school diploma in 2020. Dual Enrollment is a critical resource in Tennessee’s Drive to 55 mission; the drive to get 55% of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate by the year 2025. The goal is not just a mission for higher education; it is the vision for Tennessee’s workforce and economic development.

Having a ready workforce helps our state recruit new companies with high-wage jobs into our communities. EPSOs are a statewide indicator of school and district accountability measures as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act. This legislation EAGLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS is devoted to

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ensuring the opportunity and readiness of Tennessee students to succeed. Dual Enrollment supports this mission, helping students to:

Starting with Motlow as a Dual Enrollment student leads to a seamless transition from high school to college.

• Earn postsecondary credits while in high school

Most high schools in Middle Tennessee have scholarship agreements with Motlow that allow students to take four-to-six classes tuition-free. Completing dual enrollment classes can also lead to new scholarship opportunities at Motlow.

• Become familiar with postsecondary rigor and expectations • Develop confidence and skills for success in postsecondary learning • Make informed college and career decisions • Decrease the time and cost of completing a degree or certificate Families turn to Dual Enrollment to find challenging elective classes that count both as college and high school credit.

Families can save the cost of one or more college semesters by participating in Dual Enrollment. Motlow can show a dedicated student how to graduate college simultaneously while graduating high school. Just ask the 42 students at LaVergne High School who recently earned their associate degree.

Research reveals that students who experience college early are more likely to complete a degree.

Complete a DE College Degree FREE Motlow offers FREE college tuition for high school students interested in earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Mechatronics.

WHY MECHATRONICS? Mechatronics is a high-demand, high-wage degree program. Tennessee companies urgently need new skilled workers in Mechatronics, leading to graduates enjoying high infield job placement rates. Most students receive job offers before graduation and can expect starting salaries of $50,000+.

WHAT DOES THE GRANT COVER? Dual Enrollment Mechatronics is so essential to Motlow’s service area that all direct costs of attendance are covered, including: • • • •

EAGLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WARREN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

M OT LO W STAT E

OAKLAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Tuition Textbooks Fees and other class costs Travel

Eleven students just completed free dual enrollment degrees in Mechatronics at Motlow. Take advantage of this once-in-alifetime offer to receive a fulltuition grant that even covers eligible travel costs. Space is limited for this program. A new class will begin this fall. To learn more about how you can earn a free college degree in Mechatronics, contact Motlow at dualenrollment@mscc.edu

#1 MICROPOLITAN IN TENNESSEE

If I can

CULT I VAT E this

#1 Micropolitan in Tennessee National Rankings: #7 Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Heartland Forward #31 Micropolitan: Site Selection Magazine #37 Micropolitan: POLICOM Corporation

Communities of

TULLAHOMA & MANCHESTER The region known for cultivation is the rising star in technovation

I can

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Growth is a mindset. Whether it’s corn, cows, or corporations, cultivating growth requires tenacious resolve. In Middle Tennessee ingenuity, dependability, and optimism germinates as a trifecta that is coded into our DNA. So, it’s a simple pivot for us to master the shift from cultivating high-yield crops to producing high-performing companies. We think of it as a simple shift from cultivation to technovation. The rankings demonstrate the truth of our claim. Our workforce training programs, low site costs, and innate growth mindset prove we’re cultivating the new land of opportunity.

Come grow with us!

For degrees in Mechatronics Fred Rascoe: frascoe@mscc.edu

For Robotics & Automation Training Larry Flatt: lflatt@mscc.edu

EQUITY

#MOTLOW50

I always felt

uplifted encouraged and

CASEY O’NEAL, PharmD

MOTLOW GRADUATE 2012 | RESIDENT PHARMACIST Motlow State is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Sections 504/ADA Employer. motlow.com/non-discrimination | Control #

Motlow’s Legacy EVIDENCED IN ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

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TEACHING & LEARNING

n 2010 I became a high school graduate one year earlier than my peers. At the time, graduating high school felt like breaking free from a constrictive mold made from the expectations of others. I was never the girl who dreamed about what school she would apply to after graduation, and in truth, I had a minimal grasp of who I was or what I wanted out of life. I did not have a plush college fund or strong SAT scores to support a degree plan. Instead, I decided to leave the country and invest in building my knowledge of the world through hands-on experience. By the time I felt ready to re-approach higher education, my choices were limited.

Abigail Robertson After enrolling at Motlow, I felt somewhat embarrassed belonging to a community college and not a university like so many of my peers. I believed the false narrative that only “subpar” students enroll in community college and therefore felt like a subpar underachiever making a subpar choice. I could not have been more wrong. When I came to Motlow, I realized I was able to really connect with my professors and work closely with them. I discovered for myself, through their encouragement, that I did have what it takes to perform at a collegiate level as an adult. I was able to build up confidence and discover who I am. Motlow

played an instrumental part in my adult development. I attribute my gained confidence to the numerous positive investments my professors at Motlow made in me through their time, support, and instruction. I loved the fact that Motlow allowed me to go and live my life as I chose, which was to leave school and go travel and live abroad, then come back and resume my education when it suited my life. I received a lot of support from my professors for the educational path I was taking. Motlow allowed me to earn my degree at my own pace over seven years, earn and save money, and clarify my life goals. Today I

ABIGAIL ROBERTSON

MOTLOW GRADUATE 2019 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT

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have every confidence in my ability to succeed, not only as a student but also as a valuable contributor in my community. My educational journey brought me in and out of Motlow’s admissions office many times. When I first enrolled as a student on the Smyrna campus, the campus had one building. Motlow has expanded not only its grounds but also its vision. Growing into two new stateof-the-art buildings on the Smyrna campus, Motlow’s legacy–offering an excellent and affordable education to students whose life-path may verge on unconventional–continues. Flash forward to 2019, where I finished my undergraduate degree and pursued a path to postgraduate work in School Psychology at MTSU. The kicker? I graduated saving more than $45,000! Motlow has been serving the community continued on page 35

One Motlow

Let’s Go! #TOGETHER

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

Creative Team Earns

GOLD AND SILVER T

he Office of External Affairs earned several awards in the past year for work on Ovation Magazine and ARTC design. The College’s inaugural edition of Ovation, a student-focused magazine, was recognized for it’s clean, fresh, creative design and clear mission to feature student success, college partnerships, technology advancements, and faculty and staff achievements. Ovation was first distributed in 2019 and was met with rave reviews. It won the Gold Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR), taking home the prize for best magazine. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in design and communication. It also won a gold award from the Collegiate Advertising Awards.

NO. 1 CHOICE OF TENNESSEE

TRANSFER STUDENTS The mission of the NCMPR awards program is to honor talented marketing professionals for outstanding excellence in all forms of advertising, marketing and promotion specific to higher education products and services.

A seamless path to MTSU with your Motlow degree Motlow provides a great start, and MTSU is a great place to finish!

three MTSUExternal promises Affairs Motlow wins students:

golds, two silvers fora $3,000 Ovation · Guaranteed admission and per year scholarship for qualified students and ARTC design. (seeMagazine deadline and details at mtsu.edu/partners) · A smooth and easy process with access to our advisors for academic inquiries External Affairs also designed the new creative for

· Motlow’s Superior service from MT One StopCenter, for all enrollment questions Automation and Robotics Training as well as a complete portfolio of collateral pieces and marketing campaign products. The collection of works include logo, signage, environmental graphics, displays, brochures, enrollment and training support materials, as well as social media and advertising resources. EA’s design work earned two silver NCMPR Medallion Awards and a gold award from the Collegiate Advertising Awards.

mtsu.edu/transfer

Ovation 2020 is designed to be a collectible edition celebrating both Motlow’s 50th Anniversary and the united effort between students and staff to rise to meet the academic year-ending challenge of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Ovation 2020 will no doubt 0420-8961 / Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. See our full policy at www.mtsu.edu/iec. become a historical artifact and stand as evidence of a milestone event in the narrative of the institution.

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born and raised in Middle Tennessee. And everything we do, from the products we offer to the advice we give, is designed to improve the lives of those who live here. Congratulations to the Motlow State Community College Class of 2020!

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