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.

Photos: A Blast to the 'Recent' Past

     SMYRNA -- Fall 2019 was an exciting time at Motlow Smyrna. Check out these photos from the "Spoken Word," "Famous Communicator Speakers Series" featuring Rep. Mike Sparks, "Holiday Traditions Show," and "Building 3 Dedication." An unforgettable time was had by all.

Professors Nick Bush, Tamara Jones, and Dr. William Murphy celebrate after last fall's "Spoken Word" open mic storytelling on Nov. 14. (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks answers students' questions after speaking on Nov. 12 at the "Famous Communicators Speakers Series." (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Professor Nick Bush and SEAM Club Vice President/Freshman Senator Bryna Green emcee the "Holiday Traditions Show" on Dec. 4. (Photo by Professor John Butwell)

Students and faculty perform carols at the end of the "Holiday Traditions Show" on Dec. 14. (Photo by John Butwell)

SEAM Club President Lee Bebout loads up on refreshments during the "Building 3 Dedication" on Dec. 17
(Photo by John Butwell)

Professor Debbie Stockdale attempts to cut the cake during the "Building 3 Dedication" on Dec. 17.
 (Photo by Charles Whiting)

Former Mass Comm Student Shoots YouTube Video About Building 3 Completion

         SMYRNA – Former Mass Comm student Anthony Czeluzniak recently posted a news video at YouTube about the completion of Building 3 on the Motlow Smyrna campus.

         The video, which was shot shortly before the new building was completed, features interviews with student Zion Williamson, Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks, and professors Jenna Caviezel and Charles Whiting. The third building was dedicated on Dec. 17, 2019.

         Czeluzniak, who graduated with honors in 2018, currently serves as editor-in-chief of the Collage and president of PRSSA at Middle Tennessee State University.

         To watch the video, visit https://youtu.be/tn5aTFrW7x4. 

Being 'Hip' at the HIPS Conference

     Motlow Smyrna faculty members (aka "The HIP Seven") gather between educational sessions at the 2019 High Impact Practices Conference at Western Kentucky University. 

Being "hip" at HIPS are (from left) Professors Khalid Tantawi, Ramona Shelton, Tamara Jones, Debbie Stockdale, Mary Jo Johnson, Stacy Dowd, and Charles Whiting.

Success is... Showcasing Our Students' Writing Talents

        SMYRNA – “Extra, Extra… Read all about it!” Students in Motlow Smyrna’s Survey of New Media and Media Writing classes were busy writing stories and blog articles last semester. We used The Motlow Buzz as an educational platform to help prepare them for real jobs. 

          "My students had the opportunity to do what the pros do -- cover events, conduct interviews, and write and edit articles," said Mass Comm Instructor Charles Whiting. "We hope these High Impact Practices at Motlow will help open doors for life-changing career opportunities."

Following are some of their articles.

* City Native 'Red' Grooms Cultures Nashville at Tennessee State Museum (By JaJuan Isaacs):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/city-native-red-grooms-cultures.html

* MTSU Blue Raiders Fall Short to Ranked Virginia (By Devin Jackson): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/mtsu-blue-raiders-fall-short-to-ranked.html

* The Curious Kitchen Hosts An Elegant Seafood Feast (By Amari Young): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-curious-kitchen-hosts-elegant.html

* Smyrna High Defeats Northwest and Mount Juliet in Wrestling (By Andrew Freund):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/smyrna-high-defeats-northwest-and-mount.html

* Shoppers Jam Smyrna Target for Thanksgiving/Black Friday Sales (By Kim Prasanerak): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/shoppers-jam-smyrna-target-for.html

* 'Perfect Little Holiday Market' Draws Crowd for Holiday Shopping (By Connor Jacks):  https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/perfect-little-holiday-market-draws.html

* Nashville Artists Organize Handmade Market (Ashlyn Henderson): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/nashville-artists-organize-handmade.html

* Beyond the Bench Press (By Andrew Freund): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/beyond-bench-press.html

* Music Runs in These Families (By Cameron McInTosh): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/music-runs-in-these-families.html

* Art as a Movement (By JaJuan Isaacs): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/art-as-movement_15.html

* Taylor Swift Shakes Indianapolis (By Georgie Allen): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/taylor-swift-shakes-indianapolis.html

* The Best Albums of 2018 So Far (By Amari Young): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-best-albums-of-2018-so-far.html

* How to Spot a Grizzly Bear (By Elizabeth Overcast): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/how-to-spot-grizzly-bear.html

* Crafting a Campfire Story (By Jeremy Broadwater): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/crafting-campfire-story.html

* How to Prepare for the Bonnaroo Festival (By Sarah Queen): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/how-to-prepare-for-bonnaroo-festival.html

* Balance: Priorities, Deadlines and Time Management (By Sarah Hood): https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/11/balance-priorities-deadlines-and-time.html

* 'Good Makers Market' Draws Big Crowd for Holiday Shopping (By Delores Elliott):   https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/12/good-makers-market-draws-big-crowd-for.html

Success is... Serving as a TnAchieves Mentor

By Charles Whiting
Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief

            There’s something exciting about volunteering for the TnAchieves/Tennessee Promise program. Perhaps it has something to do with the great memories I have of my very first day of college and the anticipation of the life-changing experiences to come. When I learned about the program and the opportunity to volunteer, that’s the first thing that crossed my mind. It would be a wonderful way to help incoming students with big dreams have a smooth transition to college, while reliving a few unforgettable memories.

            I love the slogan TnAchieves uses: “Changing Lives, Transforming Communities.” According to the organization, its mission is to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance.

            The leadership at TnAchieves has been outstanding, starting with a well-organized and encouraging orientation to the program. Mentors begin by selecting a high school for their mentees and attending a one-hour training session with overview, instruction and Q&A. A wide range of dates, times and locations are available, making the process a breeze.

(Photo of Charles Whiting and TnAchieves mentee Brandon Pineda by Jonathan Graham)

            When you arrive for your kick-off mentor meeting, TNAchieves representatives greet you with a smile. They ask you to sign an attendance sheet, then give you a booklet that contains a thorough list and description of student to-dos with deadlines. Mentors are encouraged to communicate regularly with their assigned students over the coming months to provide advice and reminders for due dates.

            The student checklist includes completing their TnPromise Application, attending team meetings, applying to an eligible Tennessee Promise institution, and completing eight hours of community service.

            I was assigned an initial seven male students at Smyrna High School in Rutherford County. My first task was to write each student to remind them about their upcoming first team meeting. I used an e-mail message to introduce myself and tell them a little bit about college life. Several students and/or parents responded, saying they looked forward to meeting me.

            We met for the first time during a specially called Tennessee Promise assembly in the school’s auditorium attended by several hundred students and their parents. During our meeting at an assigned table, I introduced myself and invited them to touch base or drop by to see me if they had any questions. It was fun learning more about them and meeting some of their parents. If I didn’t have the answer to a question, I’d walk them over to a staff member like Jonathan Graham. I asked each student to introduce himself and confirm his contact information. I followed up after the meeting with a note saying I looked forward to working with them.

            In the ensuing weeks and months, TnAchieves provided helpful correspondence about upcoming deadlines, asking mentors to remind their assigned students. To be eligible for Tennessee Promise, candidates had to submit all requested admissions documents to the anticipated college by May 1 and complete eight hours of community service by July 1. They would need to enroll as a full-time student at a Tennessee Promise-eligible institution (minimum of 12 hours) and attend team meetings on various dates hosted by TnAchieves. They would also have to file applications for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) by a certain deadline.

            With so many to-dos with stringent deadlines, you can see how valuable a mentor can be in helping secure bright futures for Tennessee Promise students. And it doesn’t take a tremendous amount of our time. I’m happy to know there are a host of other Motlow faculty members who have volunteered, and even happier to know that some of our mentees are attending college on our four campuses. Special thanks to Jonathan Graham and the other TnAchieves leaders and representatives for the wonderful work they do.

            To learn more about TnAchieves, visit www.TnAchieves.org.

Success is... Watching Motlow Smyrna Grow

     Following are a few photos that show the construction progress on Motlow Smyrna's third building as of Feb. 25, 2019. We expect the building to be ready for occupancy by late fall 2019. (Photos by Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief Charles Whiting)

Construction Update: Watch Our New Building Grow!

By Charles Whiting

Motlow Buzz Editor-in-Chief

          SMYRNA -- If you've been off campus this summer, then you've missed seeing the rapid progress for Motlow Smyrna's new building and parking lot.

* The property was still a parking lot on March 21, 2018:

* The first tractor showed up the next day on March 22, 2018:

* By May 11, 2018, things were starting to happen:

* Here's how things looked on July 10, 2018:

 

* The new parking lot is taking shape, too: