SMYRNA -- Students at the Motlow Smyrna
campus were eager to hear about the much-needed 70,000-square-foot building
addition during a talk by Tennessee Rep. Mike Sparks on Sept. 26.
Sparks spoke to the Motlow Mass
Comm students and others about the growing need on campus for classroom and
office space, as well as the communication-challenges he faces. Sparks has
advocated for an expansion of the Smyrna college campus for many years.
“I see a great opportunity here at
Motlow, especially in the fields of nursing and mass communications,” said
Sparks. “A student can complete their associate degree, work in that related
field of study, and move on to Middle Tennessee State University or another four-year
institution.”
“I am very excited for the
opportunities these students have here at Motlow and equally as excited for the
new building expansion,” said Charles Whiting, who serves as an instructor for
the Mass Comm program.
Sparks spoke about late Smyrna Mayor
Bob Spivey, who had a vision for bringing a Motlow campus to Smyrna.
“If it wasn’t for the vision of Bob
Spivey, you all wouldn’t be sitting in those seats today,” Sparks added. “I
remember Spivey telling me that he was on a mission to bring the college to our
community. Have a vision and find positive and encouraging mentors in your
life.”
The Motlow Smyrna campus is the fastest
growing community college in the state of Tennessee. Motlow State Community College,
which has four campuses, has the largest enrollment in school history and is
among the fastest growing colleges in Tennessee, according to official
enrollment numbers released recently for the fall 2017 semester.
Motlow as a whole enrolled 6,597
students this fall, a 12.9 percent increase over the 5,841 enrolled during the
same period last fall. Final enrollment numbers are based on the preliminary
census report from the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Full-Time Equivalency, which is a
formula that determines how many students are attending full time, rose almost
as dramatically. Motlow's FTE is 4,481 this year, a 9.7 percent increase over
the 4,084 last year.
As a comparison, in fall 2014, Motlow
had an enrollment of 4,822 and an FTE of 2,995. In just three years, enrollment
has increased 37 percent, and FTE has shot up almost 50 percent.
The State Building Commission has
officially approved funding for additions at Motlow State Community College's
Smyrna Campus. The monies will be used to create a third building at this
location. They will also cover the cost of increasing access to parking for
students and additional renovations to existing facilities.
The $27.2 million project was
officially approved by the State Building Commission, which oversees
construction of all public state buildings and structures. In recent years, the
Commission's responsibility has been expanded to include authority over most
improvement and demolition projects of property owned by the state.
"I
have always been a strong supporter of initiatives and investments that enhance
education opportunities for residents in our community and state," Sparks
noted. "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. We hope to break ground next spring 2018 on the new
building."
Sparks serves as a member of the House
Insurance & Banking Committee and the House Business & Utilities
Committee, as well as the House Business & Utilities Subcommittee. Sparks
lives in Smyrna and represents House District 49, which includes part of
Rutherford County. He can be reached by email at rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov
or by calling (615) 741-6829.
