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)

Success is... The 'Three Steps' of Growth at Motlow Smyrna

By Dr.Bill Kraus

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

                It was the other day, and it must have been the particular spot that I parked in. As I got out of the car, our two existing buildings at Motlow's Smyrna campus, as well our third building currently under construction, appeared almost in an exact "step-by-step" setting.

                Looking at the first building, one story in height, I reflected on the initial history of our college at this location. I remembered the excitement and anticipation when we located to the "new" campus from our second-floor "home" at the Tennessee National Guard facilities adjacent to the Smyrna Airport. Our first building was brand new and had ample accommodations for classrooms, offices and support activities. It was an exciting time.

(Photo of three Motlow Smyrna buildings by Charles Whiting)

                It wasn't long before our growth, both in student enrollments and expanded academic programs, created an urgency to build an additional building. The State Legislature approved the funding to be matched by a 10 percent contribution from faculty, staff and the local community. Many of us made that contribution as an investment in Motlow State (Smyrna's future) and construction quickly commenced.

                The new building opened with great response by all of us. "Look at all of the room... even places for students to meet and chat." It was an exciting beginning for the new "step of growth" for the college.

                Two years ago, we were rapidly outgrowing this new addition, and plans began being made for a "third step." This time it would be a three story, 80,000-plus-square-foot building. Again, many of us on the faculty and staff were called upon to contribute funds as matching monies. We are now all looking forward to the opening of this addition sometime in fall 2019.

                We now see three steps of growth and development, greatly due to the excellence and dedication of the faculty and staff. Each building serves as a living symbol of our journey to the future.

(Photo of the Smyrna water tower by Charles Whiting)

                As I kept looking at the three steps of growth at Motlow State in Smyrna, I asked myself what the fourth step will look like. Will it be a four story, 100,000-plus building, giving us a new skyline? Suddenly, as my eyes toured the campus, there it was. The town of Smyrna's water tower stood to the left of my panorama. Maybe we need to ask the Smyrna Town Council to paint the following on that tall tower: "Town of Smyrna -- Home of Motlow State Community College."

What Students and Faculty Say...

        “The third building is symbolic of our growth both as a community and as a college. Motlow is going to be at the forefront of a new wave of education. As much as I love sharing an office with five other professors, I think we will all appreciate being able to stretch out a bit.” – Felicia Brown, Instructor of Sociology

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        “I am a non-traditional college student with four children and three grandchildren that has been attending Motlow part time while trying to complete a degree that I started 30 years ago. With the addition of the Tennessee Reconnect program, my dream becomes one step closer to becoming a reality. The addition of a third building to Motlow’s Smyrna campus is vitally important as it's integral to the success of myself and others by adding much-needed classroom facilities. By doing so, it helps students to better position ourselves to accomplish our goals of achieving a college education.” – George Romano, student member of Phi Theta Kappa

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        “I am excited about a third building at Motlow because it will have extra space for classes and hopefully a larger library! I am also excited to be a part of opening of the building next year that is in place to help people like myself make a better future for themselves.” – Jessica Shaver, Motlow Smyrna student

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        “In the past two to three years, Community colleges have become more prevalent, and not exclusively within the southern regions. Community colleges have expanded nationally, while allowing scholars to have a chance at education without an absurd price. In addition to that, community colleges have lost their representation of not being a "real education" or place where "dumb people"  attend. This growth is important to Motlow because of the opportunities and personal assistance Motlow has to offer. One can only hope that as Motlow expands that it keeps the same personal connection it has with its students in order for future generations to experience college at a different level.” – Je’Juan Henderson, Motlow Smyrna student

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        “When I attended my first in-service meeting as a newly hired (Fall 2009) adjunct in math, our faculty meeting was buzzing with the possibility of a record enrollment of 1,500. Motlow/Smyrna only had the one small building, and the school had only recently left the National Guard facility. On the first day of classes, I asked Karen Hudson if we had reached the 1,500 mark. She said that we were well over it! 

        Some 50 adjuncts shared one small office and a handful of computers. Classes were very full. For a time, as attendance grew, classes were even held on Saturdays and Sundays.

        We now have the MLA Building, and it seems that the cohesiveness of our school site is more difficult to maintain since we don't see "everybody" that is connected to our school. With a third building, the school's closeness may be even more difficult to maintain. But the potential for a great education will be enhanced by the new and more spacious building. I have been greatly pleased with the improvements in facilities, but the most satisfying thing to me is to see the willingness of my faculty colleagues to share cramped quarters and also put forth great effort to make the best of a difficult but improving situation. As an adjunct, I have not seen every aspect of the operation of the school. But with the talented and dedicated staff that is here, I am excited to imagine how great this campus can be with more adequate facilities.” – Kenneth L. Thomas, Adjunct Professor of Math

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        “Yay! The bigger the school, the more classes to offer here in Smyrna. That way, I don't have to drive to another school branch for a certain class.” – Rosalie Kuhn, Motlow Smyrna student

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        “Growth, close conditions, and strong bonds have always been a part of Motlow Smyrna and its success. I remember touring the AWJ building with Moltow Smyrna Site Director George Ortega. The building had not yet opened, and it just seemed so huge (which compared to the Armory it was)! We outgrew it quickly, but we all worked together to take care of each other and our students regardless of the challenges. It's been the same ever since. That third building, to me, will symbolize the Smyrna way: we work together, we take care of each other, we take care of our students. That is our tradition. That is our identity.” – Heather Koller, Professor of History

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          “I have always been a strong supporter of initiatives and investments that enhance education opportunities for residents in our community and state. I am pleased that the State Building Commission has made this important investment in Rutherford County, and I am thankful for the Commission's support.” – Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks, former Motlow Smyrna student

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        “I live about 30 miles from our Smyrna campus, but I will be there for this historic groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, the 23rd. I began teaching @ the National Guard facility in fall 2000, and have taught in both of our present buildings. I look forward to teaching in the new one next year. It is exciting to see our continued growth!” – Ben Jobe, Adjunct Professor of Music

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        “I am really excited because I hear great things about the building. I have heard that they are going to put in new classes, and it makes me excited to see how we are going to expand the curriculum. It is great to see how the campus has changed since I have been here.” – Parker Shoemaker, Motlow Smyrna student

Motlow College Seeks New Building for Record-Breaking Attendance

By Mike Sparks

Motlow Buzz Reporter

SMYRNA, Tenn. -- It is no surprise that the Smyrna Motlow State Community College Center is Tennessee’s fastest growing college with 2,500 students this spring semester, much to the credit of Gov. Bill Haslam’s vision of Tennessee Promise.

Haslam’s Tennessee Promise has been a resounding success. With that success has come a fast-paced 32 percent rate of growth between the fall of 2014 and 2016. The two-building Smyrna Motlow State Community College campus currently has only 33,000 square feet. The classrooms are packed with 35 students each, teachers sharing small closet-sized offices, no area to host large lectures or a large gathering, and a small overcrowded library. The need for this new addition is greater now than ever before.

The rapid enrollment at the Smyrna Campus has led to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Board of Regents both prioritizing the Smyrna Motlow’s third building as the number one priority in Tennessee for higher education.

The cost of the new 79,443-square-foot building is $27 million. The college is required to raise $2.7 million or 10 percent from local sources such as nonprofits, local county, and municipal governments.  

The new three-story building will be located at the northwest corner of the campus. It will host a much-needed 22 classrooms, one-stop shop for recruiting and financial aid, physics lab, general biology lab, computer science lab, art lab, chemistry lab, anatomy and physiology lab, EMS lab, nursing lab, medical technician lab, mechatronics lab, 15 private faculty offices, and additional office space. Students will be pleased with the new Cyber Café, which will provide seating for students to interact, study, eat, and much more. In order to be more efficient with space, rooms can be utilized together to accommodate up to 350 students. The new library will boast over 6,500 square feet and be available to the general public as well.

“I’m very excited about the new library, which will host 60 computers, open space for 60 students, eight group study rooms, stack space for up to 10,000 volumes and more,” said Campus Librarian Paige Hendrickson. “The students are extremely excited about not only the new library, but also the new Cyber Café.”

In 2014, Tennessee was the only state offering a wide-reaching program that gave recent high school graduates the chance to go to community college without paying tuition. With the ever-increasing cost of a college education, Tennessee Promise came as a relief to many struggling families and students. College tuition debt has amassed to $1.4 trillion today, leaving the average college graduate with roughly $37,000 in student debt, up 6 percent from last year, according to the Federal Reserve.

Educational experts say Tennessee's example as a higher education trailblazer could help shape higher education policy for years as students move through the education pipeline. The Tennessee Promise is an increasingly popular model as Tennessee plays an important role in the education debate.

Many may not be aware that the campus library is open to the general public, which helps with those who may not have Internet access and who may want to apply for jobs online, email or other needs.  For more information on how to get involved with Motlow State and the great things that are happening, visit www.mscc.edu or call (615) 220-7800.

Haslam’s ‘Drive to 55’ Initiative sets the goal to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential to meet Tennessee’s current and future workforce and economic needs. The governor has championed both his tuition-free college and the Drive to 55 initiative. For more information on Tennessee Promise or Drive to 55, visit www.TnPromise.gov or www.Driveto55.org