Motlow Students to 'Dance Across The Decades' on March 31

 

Country Music Legend Frankie Staton to Speak at Motlow Smyrna on March 2

             SMYRNA -- Legendary Nashville Singer-Songwriter Frankie Staton will share insights on the growing success of Black artists in the country music industry during a special presentation on the Motlow Smyrna campus on March 2 (Thursday).  

            Staton’s talk, “How Black Artists Are Changing the Country Music Landscape,” will occur from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Room 323 of the HSC Building. Seating is available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu.  

 

            “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn from one of most prominent and hard-working singer-songwriters in the country music industry,” Whiting said. “Frankie founded and led the Black Country Music Association for more than 20 years, helping countless emerging and professional Black artists achieve their dreams.” 

 

            Frankie recently achieved a lifelong dream by performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Her performance was heard by thousands of listeners on legendary radio station WSM-AM. She received a standing ovation for “Forever, Loretta,” a song dedicated to her late idol, Loretta Lynn.  

 

            The artist took action in the late 1990s after a New York Times story claimed there was no diversity in country music. She founded the Black Country Music Showcase at the Bluebird Café, providing national exposure for more than 60 country singers of color. Those efforts canonized Frankie on the Nashville music scene, sparking a national conversation that has continued to this day in publications such as Rolling Stone magazine.  

 

            Frankie has been featured in the Amazon documentary, “For Love & Country.” She recently was chosen to participate in the upcoming exhibition “American Currents: The State of the Music Unbroken Circle” at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in downtown Nashville.  

 

            “I woke up singing songs I was hearing in my dreams,” said Frankie, who began nurturing her passion for music in the 1970s as a singer and pianist at the High Point Market, the world’s largest furnishings trade show. “The event, which attracted anywhere from 70,000 to 80,000 attendees, gave me a global audience during my first five years as a musician.” 

 

            Frankie quickly found success after moving to Nashville in 1981. A residency at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center led to appearances on “The Ralph Emery Show” on WSMV-TV (Channel 4) and the nationally aired “Nashville Now” talk show on TNN: The Nashville Network. 

 

            “My approach to performing proved to be ahead of its time in a city that was not familiar with African-American women in the country music scene,” Frankie added. 

Motlow Buzz Launches Print Edition

  SMYRNA — The Motlow Buzz educational student newspaper is launching a one-page print edition that provides an overview of services and special activities for students on the Motlow Smyrna campus. 

The print version will be overseen by newly appointed Student Editor-in-Chief Kia Dowen. Students can pick up their complimentary copy in the Smyrna Library. Contributors will include students Joani Edens and Megan Goble. 

        Communication majors use The Buzz to gain invaluable experience for future jobs in books, newspapers, magazines, recording industry, radio, television, movies, and the internet. Students benefit by receiving helpful news about important happenings on the Motlow Smyrna campus.

        The publication is listed as a High Impact Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning.

The e-news and blog versions of The Motlow Buzz will continue to provide in-depth stories and photos by students and faculty members. The publication, which was named by students, was created in a Media Writing class in 2014.

To learn more, visit https://motlowbuzz.blogspot.com/. 

Priority Press - From The Motlow Buzz Printed Edition - Issue One

By Kia Dowen

Motlow Buzz Student Editor-in-Chief

Graduation Prep

SMYRNA -- Sophomores should begin to prepare for graduation by submitting their Intent to Graduate and signing up for their Exit Exam. Students planning to transfer from Motlow should begin to request transcripts from prior institutions and submit formal applications.

The Intent to Graduate form is located in the MyMotlow student portal in the student tab under Admissions and Record Forms. The submission deadline is Feb. 15 as this must be reviewed by both your advisor and completion coach for approval.

Once the Intent to Graduate form is processed, students will receive an email regarding the Exit Exam, whereby scheduling is arranged by the student through the testing center for testing at any location the student finds available with a computer.

It is very important that students complete the Intent to Graduate and Exit Exam to graduate.

Transfer Prep

Students that plan to transfer into another post-secondary institution should research application deadlines and transfer scholarship eligibility. Many of these programs allow early application and require it for their best transfer scholarships.

MTSU is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2023 term. This neighbor university provides a guaranteed $3,000 per year in aid for up to two years for any Motlow student transferring into the establishment with 60 credits and a 3.0 GPA. To meet eligibility, student applications must be completed with all corresponding paperwork by Feb. 15.

Student questions regarding these opportunities can be answered in more detail by the Student Success Center, completion coach, or faculty advisor. Students may contact a designated transfer coordinator for questions about transferring into MTSU specifically.

* Student Success Center: 615-220-7854

* Completion Coach: [completioncoaches@mscc.edu]

* www.mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/contact.php

(Click on Transfer Students and your County)

Motlow 4 U

SMYRNA -- Motlow offers a variety of convenient resources to help students navigate and succeed in their pursuits. The following programs are available to all registered Motlow students free of charge.

Counseling Services

Feeling overwhelmed by stress or hardship? Not sure where to begin in tackling an obstacle in your life? Counseling services are available to all Motlow students free of charge though both in-person and Zoom meetings. There is “no problem too small or too large.” – Lisa Stone, LMFT

931-393-1960 | counseling@mscc.edu

AWJ 103 | Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Writing Center

Need help with a paper? Struggling to get citations down pat? Has eye strain gotten too intense to do any more revision? Maybe you’re not even sure where to start. Utilize the Writing Center for live or dropbox appointments!

       Students can access the Writing Center through the MotlowHub.

Math Lab

The Math Lab is open to all students via Zoom appointment.

Visit www.motlow.edu/academics/programs/tutoring/ and click on Math Lab and call the number listed for the day you want help.

Net Tutor

Are you taking a foreign language? Need help with a not-so-easy to classify class? NetTutor is a multi-disciplinary tutoring service that covers topics from Astronomy, Chemistry, and Finance, to Nursing, Poli Sci, and more.

      Login to D2L and find the link for NetTutor under Tutoring Services.

Get Involved!

SMYRNA -- There are a host of current opportunities for students to get more involved with Motlow and engage in resumé and portfolio-building opportunities.

Bucks Closet

Bucks Closet is the only Motlow clothing closet for professional wear and needs volunteers to model clothing and to operate and promote the program. Bucks Closet is located in HSC 317 and currently operates on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested students should email BucksCloset@mscc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa

The Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society Motlow chapter is seeking members to help connect with students, administration, and the community. While formal membership holds certain requirements, all Motlow Students are invited to become volunteer members and can use PTK experiences to build their leadership skills and resumé.

Interested students should email advisor Misty Griffith at MGriffith@mscc.edu.

The Motlow Buzz

The Motlow Buzz is currently seeking writers to cover Motlow sports and arts.

Potential writers should email Professor Whiting at CWhiting@mscc.edu.

 

Motlow Smyrna Library Offers Helpful Services and Resources

By Kelly Tilton

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

SMYRNA — The Motlow Smyrna Library, led by Branch Librarian Kelly Tilton, is excited to offer many helpful services and resources for Motlow students. 

  

Starting with what’s new, the library’s XR Lab has officially opened on the second floor of the Hyatt-Spivey Center. The room is equipped with some amazing technology, including Alienware Aurora R8 desktop computers, zSpace AR/VR laptops, Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets, and a wide assortment of apps – educational and recreational.The XR Lab hours are 9-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and by appointment on Fridays, unless otherwise posted. Visit the XR Lab in HSC 217! 

Tilton said he is thrilled to announce many new items added to the Smyrna library collection. If you’re a fan of tabletop games or board games, be on the lookout! The Smyrna library has books and resources for many popular titles: "Dungeons & Dragons," "Monster of the Week," "Fiasco!," "Munchkin," "Uno," and more.

Enjoy graphic novels? The library has added dozens of new titles – both recent and classic from indie and major publishers – to the Smyrna Library’s collection. Stop by and see what’s new. 

Returning to more familiar services, the library continues to offer device checkouts for students, including laptops, WIFI hotspots, iPads, Ti-84 graphing calculators, and more. Items can be borrowed for a period of either one or two weeks during the semester, depending on the device type. 

“We have plenty of space for individual students or groups to work in the library, including our six study rooms, Computer Lab, and quiet study, carrel area,” Tilton said. “Printing, faxing and copying services are still free. We still have our daily free coffee and snacks – while supplies last – and have recently added a hot water dispenser. As always, Smyrna library staff are happy to assist students search for resources and develop long-term research strategies that work.”

 

The Smyrna Library is the first stop in the Hyatt-Spivey Center – HSC 113. Spring semester hours are 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Questions or comments can be sent to Smyrna branch librarian Kelly Tilton at ktilton@mscc.edu.  

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Psi Beta Attends Tennessee Psychology Association Conference

By Joan Edens

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

      SMYRNA, Tenn. – Five Motlow Psi Beta Honor Society student members and their sponsor attended the 2022 Tennessee Psychological Association (TPA) Conference in Nashville on Oct. 28, 2022, enabling them to engage directly with psychology professionals.

      Motlow Smyrna attendees included sponsor Psychology Professor Katherine Hayes, Psi Beta President Emily Alvarado, Vice President Joan Edens, Secretary Ellen Seifert, and Liberty Sexton. One Motlow Moore County Psi Beta member, Monica Rodriguez Varas, joined as well.

      The students started the day by attending their choice of professional continuing education seminars. They then rejoined for lunch at the TPA annual business meeting. These events allowed the students to interact with and learn from psychology professionals in a wide range of practice types and focuses.

 

      “I hope that the conference excites interest in psychology,” Hayes said. “I hope they get to form connections and network with other professors and professionals.”

Pictured (L-R) are Ellen Seifert, Liberty Sexton, Emily Alvarado, Joan Edens, Professor Kate Hayes, and Monica Rodriguez Varas.

      Hayes saw her wish for her students come true at the conference. Attendees Sexton and Alvarado both reported that their biggest interests included wanting to learn more about psychology in the presentations and taking advantage of the networking opportunities. 

      “I’ve never been to something like this. I like to learn. I’m working toward a career in psychology, so the prospects for networking are exciting,” Alvarado said. 

      “I’m interested in hearing professionals speak about subjects I don’t know much about,” Sexton said.

      Three of the five students attended the seminar, “Including People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities into Practice: Treatments that Work,” presented by Dr. Susan Redmond-Vaught. Redmond-Vaught is the director of psychology at Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. 

      Two students attended a seminar given by J. Christopher Young, who has a doctorate in neuropsychology, “Dementia Toolbox: Essentials for Clinicians Working with the Diverse Population of Older Adults.” Young is a clinical neuropsychologist who practices at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation in Chattanooga.

      All attendees joined in the foyer of the host hotel, Sonesta Nashville Airport, during a break in the three-plus-hours-long session to network. The students engaged attendee, children’s mental health author, and licensed clinical psychologist Christine Manley of Nashville in a conversation about the pros and cons of private practice.

      Manley identified several paths to careers in psychology and left as many questions as answers for the students. A suggestion was made to set up a public panel of TPA professionals to be held at Motlow for all interested students to help answer some of them for a broader audience. Hayes agreed to the plan and proposed that the students coordinate a panel with the TPA for Spring 2023. 

      Once the seminars were completed, the group moved to the TPA lunch and business meeting. Lunch comprised three courses including salad, chicken and vegetables and a raspberry cheesecake dessert. The banquet tables sat eight each and seating was mixed. Three attendees sat at one of the round tables with a group of professionals and their spouses while the rest sat at another. 

      The table arrangement promoted networking and the students engaged in more personal conversations with doctors, psychologists, neuropsychologists and their spouses as they ate before the general meeting. Shared stories ranged from experiences with the TPA to gardening tips. 

      “What stood out the most to me was the conversations at the table. I was sitting with three past presidents of TPA. One of the ladies at the table continuously tried to involve us in the conversation, which I appreciated,” Alvarado said.

      The final presentations of the day were provided by the TPA officers who had coordinated the conference. The students learned about laws being discussed at the state level that may have an impact on psychiatric practices, how the TPA lobbies on behalf of member psychologists and their patients, continuing education opportunities provided by TPA and how professional members can serve fellow members and contribute to the health of the association. 

      After the business meeting, Hayes introduced the students to TPA Executive Director Elise Oehring, a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Nashville. Oehring invited the students to contact her with any questions they might have about obtaining their doctorates or about the TPA. She was excited to see Motlow participate in the conference. Other students had participated in Thursday’s poster presentation events, but the students from Motlow were the only ones to attend Friday’s seminars and TPA meeting.

      A couple of days after returning home, Edens approached Oehring about potential involvement in the suggested psychology professions panel. Oehring agreed, and Hayes gained approval for Psi Beta to co-host the panel during the spring semester with Motlow Smyrna campus. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28.

      TPA panel members have been selected to represent a variety of psychology career paths and certifications to best answer a broad range of student questions. The event will be free and open to all interested students currently enrolled with Motlow or Middle Tennessee State University. Speakers, faculty and special guests will be available to network with the students following the panel. Box lunches will be provided to those who pre-register.

      To learn more about the club, contact Instructor Katherine Hayes at khayes@mscc.edu. To learn more about the Professional Pathways in Psychology speakers’ panel and obtain the link to pre-register, contact Psi Beta Vice President Joan Edens at jedens0106@mscc.edu. 

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Academic Resource Center Changes Teaching Landscape at Motlow State Community College

(Note: Associate Professor of History Ramona Shelton serves Motlow as director of the newly established Academic Resource Center. She provides details about the ARC’s purpose and goals in the following interview.) 

Ramona Shelton, Associate Professor of History and
Director of the newly established Academic Resource Center

Question: Describe the newly opened Academic Resource Center. 

Answer: The Academic Resource Center is a hub for faculty members to find support. The goal of the ARC is to provide training and professional development for Motlow’s full- and part-time faculty members. Faculty are all subject matter experts in their fields, but it can sometimes be challenging to know how to do all the extra “classroom” stuff or to learn new techniques and collaborate with others so the ARC strives to bridge that gap. All of the ARC coordinators are faculty members, so who better to help and support their colleagues?!? Currently, the ARC is completely virtual, but the plan is to not only expand our offerings as we move into Phase Two and Three, but also to ultimately have brick-and-mortar locations at all of our campuses. 

 

Question: What are High Impact Practices? 

Answer: High Impact Practices, or HIPs, were officially given that name in 2010 by George Kuh, an academic researcher, but these are things that faculty have been doing in our classrooms for years. HIPs are practices that add another layer to the subject that is being taught in a particular class, often giving students the chance to learn life or job skills that will help them long after they have graduated from Motlow. HIPs take many forms and new ones have been added as new ideas become important. HIPs designated courses do not include more work but rather specifically tailored work that further ties the course to that particular HIP.

Motlow currently offers several different HIPs in our courses. Some are “catalog level” HIPs, which mean that every section of that particular course, regardless of the professor or modality, has the practices embedded into the course. These include Certifications, First Year Experience, Honors Education, Learning Communities, Study Abroad, and Work-Based Learning.

“Section level" HIPs are more instructor-driven. These include Global Cultural Awareness, Service Learning, Technology Enhanced Learning, and Undergraduate Research. Faculty members submit applications to the Academic Resource Center to get their courses designated for these HIPs. In doing this, the faculty members show how they have crafted assignments and coursework that meets the minimum definition for their chosen HIPs. Because instructors apply for this designation, you won’t see these HIPs across the board in all courses. For example, one history instructor may have been approved for their section(s) to be classified for Global Cultural Awareness while others may not. 

Question: Explain the HIP course-badging process at Motlow State Community College.   

Answer: As stated above, HIPs that are considered catalog level are already built into many of our courses. For example, Motlow’s Honors program is built of courses that have met the rigorous standards of the program coordinator, so that HIP is inherent to the Honors courses. The same can be said of Motlow’s MSCC 1300 First Year Experience Courses. 

However, faculty members may do different activities for the section-level HIPs that are tied to their particular disciplines. Since this is unique to that particular professor, he/she goes through the application process, explaining not only how their courses meet the minimum definition for the HIP, but also describe the assignments within their courses that give students the opportunity to master the HIP. For example, one of our history instructors has a course coded for Undergraduate Research where his students will complete a research project for the class and will also have the opportunity to present their findings at our Fall 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium. This gives students the opportunity to hone their research, writing, and presentation skills- things that will come in handy with most jobs and upper level college courses.

 

Question: How do students benefit from HIP-directed teaching? 

Answer: HIPs designated courses have extra layers that are specific to that HIP. These all give students the opportunity to add to their experiences and skill sets. Students in a Service Learning HIPs course have the chance to work on projects and events that are beneficial to the community. Study Abroad courses really do broaden a student’s horizon because they give him/her the chance to immerse themselves in a completely different country’s culture… while earning college credit! Students in any Motlow course are going to get an outstanding learning experience, but the HIPs designated courses give students the chance to go above and beyond. 

 

Question: How can HIP-focused courses enhance career opportunities for students? 

Answer: Most Motlow courses give students the opportunity to build those “soft skills” that employers are looking for, but HIPs-coded courses definitely expand on that. In addition to all the extras that I mentioned above, there are several other things that are career specific. For example, many of our Certifications-coded courses give students the opportunity to earn a certification or micro-credential that may give them a +1 when potential employers look at their resumes. 

In addition, students have access to an expanded digital transcript, referred to as their Comprehensive Learner Record. Not only does this list all of the courses they have successfully completed during their tenure at Motlow, but it also includes a listing of the HIPs the student earned with descriptions of what was part of this process. Prospective employers will be able to see this information, which will show that Motlow’s students have both the education and the skills that make them excellent employee material!

 

Question: Provide an example of a course that has incorporated HIPs activities for hands-on learning. 

Answer: I can give you an example from my courses. My Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Early World History and Modern World History courses were designated for the Technology Enhanced Learning HIP. We have a tendency to think that history and technology don’t get along well with each other, but Motlow has invested in VR/XR technology that is available through our Motlow Library. For one of their assignments, my students visited one of our library branches and used the technology to “experience” history. Some of the options in the library XR catalog include exploring a Medieval castle and visiting Anne Frank’s house. As much as I love telling stories in my classes, I think that this gives our students the opportunity for an enhanced learning experience that takes things to the next level. 

This is only one of many opportunities that students have in HIPs-designated courses! Different instructors have crafted all sorts of projects and learning experiences tailored to their courses and their chosen HIPs. The Academic Resource Center is working to build a repository of these activities so that we can grow and expand as we add more and more HIPs designated courses each semester.

 

Question: How can students sign up for HIPs-designated courses? 

Answer: Each semester, students register for courses in My Motlow. Courses that are coded for HIPs have the practice title listed as part of the information listed for that course. Not every course is HIPs designated, but we have some that have up to three HIPs opportunities available. 

 

Question: Can students earn HIPs outside of the classroom? 

Answer: Yes! There are two practices that do not show up in MyMotlow during registration because they are student specific. These are Peer Mentor and Student Employment. Motlow has an excellent group of student workers in areas like our Library and Writing Center. Students who serve as peer mentors work with their colleagues throughout the college experience, starting with our campus visits and orientations. 

 

Question: Who should faculty, students, administrators and staff contact for more information?  

Answer: Students who are interested in registering for HIPs designated courses should consult with their faculty advisors or completion coaches. HIPs designations are visible in the course schedule in My Motlow. Faculty who are interested in having their courses designated for HIPs should contact Ramona Shelton at rshelton@mscc.edu and should attend ARC workshops throughout the semester to help facilitate the process. 

BUZZ ALERT! Performers Sought for ‘Holiday Traditions Show’

SMYRNA — Artists of all kinds are invited to take the stage for the 2022 edition of the “Motlow Smyrna Holiday Traditions Show.”

The event, which will occur from noon-1 p.m. Dec. 1 (Thursday), will celebrate all holiday traditions with performances by dancers, singers, songwriters, poets, storytellers, visual artists, and others. The show is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club with support from the Student Government Association and the Dean of Students.

Individuals who are interested in performing are encouraged to contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu or SEAM Club President Kate Kim at kkim0803@mscc.edu. The deadline to express interest is Nov. 28 (Monday). 

“Our annual ‘Holiday Traditions Show’ is a wonderful way to share the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and other celebrations,” said Whiting. “We’ll be featuring dance at the event for the first time.”

The show will occur in the Big Room on the first floor of the HSC Building, with food and beverage provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donated item for Motlow’s food bank. More details will be provided soon. 

Brent Backhus to Give Hollywood Filmmaking and Recording Talk at Motlow Smyrna on Nov. 17

SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Hollywood Filmmaker, Producer and Sound Engineer Brent Backhus has worked with entertainers ranging from Reese Witherspoon and Farrah Fawcett to William Shatner, Mick Jagger, and Sheryl Crow, receiving more than 100 movie credits on the IMDb movie database.

Students, faculty and others will learn the ins and outs of moviemaking and audio production (with a few surprising stories, too) during a special talk from 2-3 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 17) in HSC 323 on the Smyrna campus. The artist’s presentation, “Filmmaking and Recording in Hollywood,” is part of the fall 2022 “Famous Communicator Speakers Series.”

Brent Backhus, filmmaker, producer and sound engineer

“I started my career in Los Angeles as a guitarist, gigging with whomever would let me,” said Backhus, who commutes between Nashville and California. “Once the recording bug hit me, I became fascinated with sound engineering and production.”

But a DVD production stint involving actors Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd (“Overnight Delivery”) led to his transition from audio to movie production. Other film projects have included The Bangles (“Live at The House of Blues” on DVD); “Chasing Farrah: Starring Farrah Fawcett” for TV Land; “William Shatner In Concert” with Ben Folds and Joe Jackson for TV Land; the documentary film “On The Brink” (co-directed); the “Solomon Burke Tribute” with Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq, performed Live at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (archival footage); and “Sheryl Crow: Live at the Capitol Theatre” (Winner Best Music/Performance Blu-ray).

“But if playing with the greats and near greats was fun, recording was even more fun,” said Backhus, referring to the musical part of his career journey. 

He has served as a sound engineer and producer for artists such as Ray Manzarek (The Doors), The Whispers, Deacon Jones, William Clarke, Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee Hooker, and The Blind Boys of Alabama: “Spirit of the Century” (Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album).

Brent Backhus’s “Filmmaking and Recording in Hollywood” talk is free to all students, faculty members, administrators and staff. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in HSC 323 from 2-3 p.m. on Nov. 17 (Thursday). For more information, contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu.