The Motlow Buzz - April Issue 2026 (Printed Issue)

 

Students, Faculty and Staff to Take Stage on April 23 for Eighth Annual Motlow Talent Show

  SMYRNA — Students, faculty and staff will take the stage in the Big Room (HSC 138-141) on April 23 (Thursday) for the eighth annual Motlow Talent Show.

The event will kick off with recorded music, food and beverages from 11 a.m.-noon, followed by live performances from noon-1 p.m. Attendees also will enjoy prize giveaways. The show, which is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club, is free and open to all members of the Motlow family. 

Performing artists will include Ashley Powell (Singer/Poet); Abigail Sorrell (Singer); Kyle Regan (Singer/Interpreter); Robert Davenport (Singer); Charles Whiting (Composer/Pianist); and Bob Fitzgerald and Arlo Hall (Musicians). Others artists will be announced the week before the show. 

Are you interested in performing? Send an email inquiry to cwhiting@mscc.edu by April 10. Include your name, talent and a description of your presentation (with web link if applicable). 

“We developed the Motlow Talent Show to give students hands-on experience in a variety of roles including show planning, promotion, staging, sound and performance,” said Charles Whiting, an associate professor of Mass Communications who serves as a co-faculty adviser for SEAM Club. “High Impact Practices are important ingredients for college success in Mass Communications.”

Helping with the show are Mark Landrum (Sound), the Student Government Association, and the Dean of Students Office. Student Volunteers include SEAM Club President Amber Powell, Vice-President Mustafa Akram, Secretary Daniel Gomez-Ramirez, and Treasurer Elsie Mendoza-Ingram.  

The event also is a creative way to celebrate the end of the spring semester. Classes will wrap up with final exams the week of May 4-8. Graduation ceremonies will occur on May 11.

Seven Students to Compete in Speech Contest on April 14, 2026

  SMYRNA – Seven Motlow students will receive career-changing recognition, prizes and awards on April 14 (Tuesday) when they take the podium for the third annual Debbie Zimmerman Oratorical Contest.

The event will occur at 7 p.m. in HSC 138-141 on the Motlow Smyrna campus. A reception with food and beverages will follow.      

      According to Professor Robert Davenport, participants will deliver original persuasive/argumentative speeches ranging from 5 to 10 minutes long. 

      “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop better speaking skills and more experience,” said Davenport, who serves as the event’s oratorical contest coordinator and an associate professor of speech on the Smyrna campus.

      The Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club and Motlow Humanities Department began sponsoring a college-wide public speaking competition called the Debbie Zimmerman Oratorical Contest in 2023. Professor Emeritus Zimmerman was a longtime speech and theatre professor at Motlow and instrumental in helping create and grow both disciplines.

Restaurant Spotlight: Deir Café

 By Elizabeth Rocha

Motlow Buzz Restaurant Critic

 

   Deir Café is a Palestinian-owned coffee shop in Nashville that is known for its authentic drinks and food, as if you were stepping right into Palestine. The popular gathering place brings Mediterranean culture to Music City, offering flavors ranging from Pistachio Latte and the signature Deir Latte to my personal favorite, the Strawberry Matcha Latte. 

However, Deir Café goes beyond offering drinks and edibles – sharing its special purpose as a business.

“Deir Café is more than just a coffee shop,” Dr. Yusuf, owner of Deir Café, states on the café’s website. “It’s a symbol of resilience and hope. Blending the soul of Palestine with the creativity of Nashville, every cup tells a story of home, healing and heritage.”

The creative eatery is personally one of my favorites to visit. As someone who craves authenticity, this coffee shop offers that and more. There are now two current locations, one in the heart of Nashville at 711 Hagan St., and one in the outskirts of at 105 Haywood Lane.

 

            To learn more, visit www.deircafe.com. 

Motlow Students Bring Creativity to Life on Disney Writing Trip

By Ashley Torres

Motlow Buzz Student Editor

SMYRNA -- While many students were returning to campus after spring break, a group of Motlow State Community College students set out on a different kind of journey -- one centered on storytelling, creativity, and immersive learning.

Students from Motlow’s creative writing classes traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in March for a five-day creative writing experience designed to bring storytelling beyond the classroom. Led by faculty, the trip allowed students to engage with narrative in a setting built entirely on it.

From the immersive lands of Magic Kingdom to the cinematic atmosphere of Hollywood Studios, each park became a living example of how stories can be constructed, experienced and shared. Throughout the trip, students were given the opportunity to explore the Disney parks, with some experiencing them for the first time. 

Activities included a hands-on learning session led by a Disney cast member, who discussed the role of storytelling within Disney and how narrative is used to shape guest experiences.

For many, the experience went beyond academics. In addition to strengthening their writing, students built connections with peers who share similar creative interests. Long days in the parks often turned into conversations about ideas, goals, and future ambitions, fostering a sense of community that extended beyond the classroom. Theseshared experiences created an atmosphere where students felt encouraged to express themselves and grow alongside one another.

Experiences like this reflect Motlow’s emphasis on hands-on learning, giving students opportunities to explore in real-world environments. As the group returned to campus after the trip, they brought back more than memories; they returned with new perspectives and stronger creative voices.