Creative Autumn Opportunities Offered to Motlow Smyrna Students

         SMYRNA -- Autumn is a great time for students to get involved, and there are ample extracurricular activities to choose from.

         * Old Time/Bluegrass-Style Music Jams (from Professor Elizabeth Fitch) -- Do you play banjo, fiddle, guitar or anything related to bluegrass or old-time style music? Maybe you just want to play this type of music? Would there be an interest among you to facilitate opportunities to play some old time or bluegrass-style music together?  When Elizabeth Fitch was a student at MTSU (a long time ago!), there were monthly jams where students could come play together. Would there be any interest in doing something similar here? If there's enough interest, she can offer guidance on getting something organized. Let her know! Contact her at efitch@mscc.edu

         * Poetry Workshop (from Professor Andrea Green) -- Students are invited to participate in Motlow Smyrna's first spoken word poetry workshop. The "Vocal Verse" activity will occur from 5-6:20 p.m. every Wednesday (except Oct. 30 and Nov. 27) in MLA 204. Student poets will be able to workshop their creative ideas in a supportive environment, engage with fellow writers, receive feedback on their poems, refine their poetic voice, and read their work aloud to hear their ideas come alive. To learn more, contact Professor Andrea Green at agreen@mscc.edu. 

         * Community Writing Workshop (from Professor Tamara Jones) -- "Write Here! Write Now!," a community writing workshop, will host its first spoken word open mic from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the MLA Lobby, so start thinking about what you’d like to share. The group welcomes all students and community members to participate. In addition, it will be holding meetings on the Moore County Campus in Room 203 of the Clayton Glass Library. If you would like to participate and receive feedback for this or any other genre of writing, the workshops will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5 and 12. The group will also be hosting its second-annual open mic night on the Moore County campus in the spring. For more information, please contact Professor Tamara I. Jones at tjones@mscc.edu, or Dr. William Murphy at wmurphy@mscc.edu.

         * Vote in the SGA Election (from Professor Stacy Dowd) -- Smyrna SGA (Student Government) Freshman elections will take place Oct. 7-10. Motlow Smyrna students will vote for Freshman President and Freshman Senator. For more information, contact Professor Stacy Dowd at sdowd@mscc.edu.

         * Holiday Traditions Show (from Professor Charles Whiting) -- Once again, students, faculty, administrators and staff will take the stage to celebrate the festive traditions of the holiday season. This year's "Smyrna Holiday Traditions Show" will occur from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the MLA Lobby. It will feature carols, songs, poetry, stories, dances, artworks, and more. The event is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts & Media Club (SEAM). If you're interested in participating, contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu.

         Do you have an event to share? Please send it to The Buzz at cwhiting@mscc.edu or rshelton@mscc.edu. 

Third Building Gets Closer to December Completion

            SMYRNA -- Faculty, administrators and staff had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the soon-to-open third building during a recent tour. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 17. Check out these photos by Smyrna Branch Librarian Paige Hendrickson. 

Words From Paige's Pages: Reticent, Sardonic, and Syllogism

            SMYRNA -- Our vocabulary expert, Smyrna Branch Librarian Paige Hendrickson, knows a thing or two about words. This issue, she provides definitions and usage examples for the words Reticent, Sardonic, and Syllogism. 

reticent

ret·i·cent

/ˈredəsənt/

adjective: Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.

Synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, restrained, inhibited, diffident, shy, modest, unassuming, shrinking, distant, undemonstrative, uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, close-mouthed, close-lipped, quiet, taciturn, silent, guarded, secretive, private, media-shy, mum

Example: For the first presentation of the semester, most students in Speech class are reticent in responding with feedback or sharing opinions.

sardonic

sar·don·ic

/särˈdänik/

adjective: Grimly mocking or cynical.

Synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic, cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, derisory, sneering, jeering, scoffing, taunting, scathing, caustic, trenchant, mordant, cutting, sharp, tinging, acerbic, tart, acid, wry, dry, sarky, mordacious, acidulous

Example: After the students asked if the midterm exam was open book and open note, the professor gave the class a sardonic smile as an answer.

syllogism

syl·lo·gism

/ˈsiləˌjizəm/

noun: 1. an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion. A typical form is “All A is C; all B is A; therefore all B is C.” 2. deductive reasoning. 3. an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument.

(e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs).

Synonyms: deduction, dialectic, reasoning, logic, argument

Example: In order to convey a clearer explanation for the logical argument, the instructor gave the students a syllogism to make a real-life connection.

Arts Entrepreneur Valerie Connelly to Kick Off Autumn ‘Famous Communicator Speakers Series’ on Oct. 10

By Charles Whiting

Motlow Buzz Faculty Editor

        SMYRNA – Arts entrepreneur Valerie Connelly will kick off the autumn “Famous Communicator Speakers Series” with a talk at 2 p.m. Oct. 10 (Thursday) in AWJ 124.

        Connelly’s presentation, “Become An Entrepreneurial Communication Wizard,” will explain why communication is the key to success. Her talk is open to Motlow students, faculty, administrators and staff.

        The artist’s life as an entrepreneur in the creative arts has taken many forms. She is a noted composer, singer/songwriter, screenwriter, film producer, novelist, and author of children’s books.

Arts entrepreneur Valerie Connelly (Photo provided by Valerie Connelly)

        “If you can’t promote yourself, you’re out of luck in the arts,” said Connelly, who staged her Broadway-style musical “FEARLESS!” at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center in 2016. “I’ve developed everything I was curious about. My motto is to believe in yourself and never quit.”

        The artist has authored six books, written three musical plays, brushed more than 200 paintings, composed more than 500 songs and instrumentals, created more than 15 websites for her businesses, designed more than 100 block art print images, and created mountains of promotional materials. Her latest project, a feature musical film called “LOVE IS...” (inspired by her play “FEARLESS!”) features original songs, screenplay and trailers.

        “It is a valuable effort, and now the film industry is showing interest in making the film,” she added.

        Connelly hosted the “Calling All Authors” radio talk show for six years. She also is a website designer, painter, block print and printing artist, and book publisher. She taught all levels of high school French for 25 years after starting her teaching career in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa. She formed a non-profit travel company to provide month-long summer immersion study/travel courses.

        Other upcoming speakers for the “Famous Communicator Speakers Series” are WMOT Roots Radio Executive Director Val Hoeppner (“WMOT: Radio Of, By and For The People,” Oct. 30) and Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks (“The Importance of Communication in Our Digital World,” Nov. 12). The speakers series was developed by the Mass Comm program on Motlow State Community College's Smyrna campus. 

First 'Hispanic Heritage Read-In' to Occur on Oct. 10

         SMYRNA -- Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

         Motlow Smyrna will participate by holding the first "Hispanic Heritage Read-In" from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 10 (Thursday) in the MLA Lobby. According to Professor Andrea Green, the event will celebrate the rich culture of Hispanic and Latinx communities. Refreshments will be provided.

         "Students will share how they connect personally with a poem, story, song or novel," Green said.

         Interested participants can contact Green at agreen@mscc.edu. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about. 

In the Motlow Smyrna Spotlight: Jonathan Graham

By Charles Whiting

Motlow Buzz Faculty Editor

          Tennessee Promise Director Jonathan Graham quietly goes about his work on a daily basis, helping to fulfill the educational aspirations of hundreds of Motlow students. His excellent work at the college earned a nomination for Tennessee Board of Regents Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award for Staff Excellence. In this issue of The Buzz, Jonathan steps into the Motlow Smyrna spotlight to provide insights about the fast-growing Tennessee Promise program.

Motlow State Community College Tennessee Promise Director Jonathan Graham (photo recently published in the Motlow Newsroom at https://news.mscc.edu/news/motlow-tennessee-promise-director-jonathan-graham-nominated-for-tbr-excellence-award.)

QUESTION: Briefly describe your role with tnAchieves.

ANSWER: “I work very closely with tnAchieves to serve Tennessee Promise students. First, I attend mandatory meetings at local high schools hosted by tnAchieves in order to provide high school seniors information about the Tennessee Promise Scholarship as well as information regarding the enrollment/financial aid process here at Motlow State Community College. Second, I work closely with tnAchieves staff to help students who are facing specific obstacles. For example, a student may have trouble submitting their community service hours in which case I will reach out to tnAchieves on the student’s behalf to find a resolution to the problem. Conversely, a student may be having trouble signing up for a new student orientation or understanding their financial aid requirements, in which case tnAchieves may reach out to me on a student’s behalf to find a resolution. So, we work together in order to make sure that students are successful and complete the requirements that they need to in order to successfully enroll and maintain their Tennessee Promise eligibility.”

QUESTION: How many Motlow Smyrna students are participating in the program this fall, and how will it benefit them?

ANSWER: “This Fall 2019, we have 639 eligible Tennessee Promise students registered at the Smyrna Campus who are a part of the new Fall 2019 cohort. In sum, we have a total of 939 eligible Tennessee Promise students from all TN Promise cohorts at the Smyrna Campus who are currently registered for the Fall 2019 term. Roughly 60% of all eligible Tennessee Promise students registered at the Smyrna Campus are receiving some Tennessee Promise funding, so this scholarship is benefiting these students greatly.”

QUESTION: What are the next two or three deadlines on students’ timelines?

ANSWER: “The deadline to complete the Tennessee Promise application is Nov. 1, 2019 for current high school seniors graduating in 2020.

 

The next community service deadline for currently enrolled Tennessee Promise students is Dec. 2, 2019.

The 2020-2021 FAFSA opened on Oct. 1. The deadline for all Tennessee Promise students to complete this FAFSA is Feb. 1, 2020.”

QUESTION: What are some of the community service opportunities for students in the program?

ANSWER: “Broadly speaking, students can volunteer at a state park, a food bank, a school, or library to earn their community service hours. There are more specific opportunities that arise throughout the school year, and many of these volunteer opportunities can be found by going to https://tnachieves.org/community-service/middle-tennessee/. Students can select their county to find local community service opportunities in their area.”

QUESTION: What is the biggest challenge Tennessee Promise students face, and how can we (faculty, administrators and staff) help solve them?

ANSWER: “The biggest challenge that Tennessee Promise students face is often keeping up with the many deadlines that they must meet in order to remain eligible for the scholarship. Faculty and staff can help students by simply asking them if they have completed their upcoming Tennessee Promise requirements. When meeting with students, faculty and staff can simply ask if they are a Tennessee Promise student and, if so, if they have completed their community service requirement/FAFSA/and financial aid requirements. Faculty and staff can also encourage students to stay in touch with the financial aid office to ensure that all of their financial aid requirements are complete as well.”

QUESTION: Would you like to share a student success story? (How has the program made an impact on students’ lives?)

ANSWER: “We had a Tennessee Promise student a couple of years ago who came to Motlow to pursue an AAS Degree in Mechatronics. He and his family were not going to be able to afford him going to college had it not been for the Tennessee Promise program. The student did exceptionally well in the Mechatronics Program and was hired by Bridgestone Firestone directly after graduating from college and is making a very good living. I hosted a campus cleanup day while he was still taking classes at Motlow State, and I remember talking to the student about his goals as we were picking up trash in our ditches on campus. At that point in time, he was just hoping that going to school would pay off and that he would be able to get a good paying job after he graduated. He went on to do just that and has become very successful since graduating from Motlow.

QUESTION: What’s the most interesting or funniest experience you’ve had with Tennessee Promise students?

ANSWER: “Some of the funniest experiences that I have had with Tennessee Promise students are when I attend trash pickup opportunities with them and they get to see what kinds of things people throw away/litter. Once, a student found a stand-up dummy punching bag in a ditch and had a pretty good time with that find. These kinds of opportunities allow for students to see how much people litter and how much trash we produce as a society. It allows them to have conversations about the environment and it’s funny to listen to their reactions as we come across ‘unique’ litter finds.”

QUESTION: What is the best way for participants to contact you for advice?

ANSWER: I can be reached by phone at (615) 220-7839, by email at jgraham@mscc.edu, or by text at (615) 258-6262.

Organic Chemistry Students Selected for Elite Research Program at Vanderbilt University

     SMYRNA -- Motlow Smyrna Organic Chemistry students William "Vince" Murphy and Jasper Emerton were selected among Middle Tennessee community college students and invited to participate in a paid full-time 10-week summer research program in the lab of Dr. Nathan Schley, assistant professor of chemistry at Vanderbilt University. This research experience opportunity is being funded by the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry. In addition to the hands-on research, Murphy and Emerton were invited to attend weekly programmatic offerings organized by the Vanderbilt NSF-REU program in Chemical Biology. This offer represents the start of a new partnership between Dr. Nathan Schley of Vanderbilt University and Motlow State Community College Organic Chemistry Instructor Nathan Fisher to allow local community college students the opportunity to perform summer scientific research. Community college students have traditionally been underrepresented within academic laboratories. Participation in this program will allow Motlow students to augment their application to graduate programs in chemistry. According to Fisher, the plan is to expand the program to students from other local community colleges beginning next year, with the aim to support additional students in the future. 

From left, Organic Chemistry Professor Nathan Fisher works with his student, William "Vince" Murphy. (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Professor Nathan Fisher completes a project with his student, William "Vince" Murphy. (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Organic chemistry student Jasper Emerton. (Photo provided by Jasper Emerton)

A Letter to Motlow Smyrna Students from Academic Dean Dr. Gregory N. Killough

Dear Students:

The Fall 2019 semester is now in full swing. It may still feel like summer outside, but midterms are just a few weeks away. Midterms begin on Oct. 4 and run through Oct. 10. As the new Dean at the Smyrna campus, I am really impressed with how friendly and compassionate the students are here at the Smyrna campus of Motlow State Community College. We have an outstanding faculty and staff wanting to help each of you have a successful Fall Semester.

Motlow Smyrna Academic Dean Dr. Gregory N. Killough (Photo by Charles Whiting)

I wanted to provide each of you with a few helpful reminders and/or suggestions on how to obtain the highest possible grade that you can in your courses.

1. Attend every class. It is important to be at every class and to be prepared.  Hearing the information directly from the instructor is paramount.

2. Be involved in the class. Ask questions, engage in discussions, engage in classroom activities.

3. Visit with your instructor before class, after class, or during office hours. It is important to seek help as soon as possible. You may need to schedule an appointment with your instructor.

4. Work with a study group that is focused and purposeful.

5. Use the tutoring centers or sessions early and often as they are free, and the help will keep you moving in the right direction.

6. Be involved in the campus life. Join clubs, groups, the SGA (Student Government). The more involved you are the more successful you will be.

7. Use all of the resources available to you: Student Success, Coaches, Counseling Support, Disability and Testing Services, Library, Campus Police, Font Office Staff, Financial Aid, and Instructors.

I hope that each of you will use the resources available to you so that you can have a successful Fall 2019 Semester.

The new building is almost complete, and we are planning to use it for Spring 2020 classes. The building is a state-of-the-art facility with new high-tech classrooms, new library, new bookstore, new student success area, new student collaborative spaces, and new offices for our instructors. It has many wonderful features that will allow the faculty and staff to continue to build on the quality of learning that they are already providing to you. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building is set for Dec. 17, 2019.

In closing, I look forward to meeting each of you over the next two semesters. I am proud to be a part of the excellent team of faculty and staff here at the Smyrna campus of Motlow State Community College. I wish each of you a wonderful and successful Fall 2019 semester.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gregory N. Killough

Smyrna Campus Academic Dean