Tennessee Ledger staff — Dec. 18, 2019
(SMYRNA) – Motlow Community College celebrated the grand opening of their third building at the Smyrna Motlow College Campus and their 50-year as a college December 17. The new three-story building is 82,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art complex was constructed at a cost of roughly $27.3 million.
New 82,000 sq. ft. Building brings Opportunity to Rutherford County
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Thirty-two new classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including seven new labs and plenty of space for the nearly new medical laboratory technology program.
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Fifty or more new faculty offices. A “one-stop” student success, admissions, business, and financial aid center.
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An On-Campus, indoor food vending.
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New Student Lounges with scenic views of the entire campus and beyond.
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A new large rotunda.
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Areas for students to Study and Meet w/ small groups.
In 2013, Motlow completed its second building addition with the two-story MaryLou Apple Building. Motlow has been growing rapidly with Smyrna’s student headcount was 1,957 and has grown by 59 percent.
The Smyrna Motlow campus is expected to enroll over 3,000 students.
State, Town and County Leaders Celebrate Grand Opening
Local leaders, state officials, business and academic leaders are excited for both the students and faculty with the arrival of the much needed additional 82,000 square feet.
Notable Quotes:
“This new building will provide many opportunities for our Students at Motlow- Smyrna. It took a couple of years to get it funded and a couple of years to build it. But the benefits will last for decades to help give our students hope of getting a great job and making them productive citizens,” said, Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron.
“I’m just thrilled to see the new building. Motlow State has been busting at the seams. The new much larger library has been needed for many years,” said Librarian Page Hendrickson.
“I have had both the personal and professional pleasure of being associated with Motlow State, Smyrna, since 2005 when our campus was at the
Tennessee Air National Guard facilities in Smyrna. Less than 200 students meeting in a handful of courses in several classrooms on the second floor.
We have indeed come a long, long way to becoming one of the finest community colleges, not only in Tennessee, but throughout this nation. We are
most proud of our rich past…and very confident of our bright future,” said, Dr. William H. Kraus, Adjunct Faculty, Political Science
“While we gather to mark the completion of this important construction project, the real celebration centers on the capacity we are building to do great things together.” — Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president
“This is an incredible day for not only Motlow College, but for our entire middle Tennessee region. This new facility will help to develop and teach our future workforce,” said, Senator Shane Reeves.
“I’m excited for the opportunity for our students. Motlow building 3 will further enhance our student’s education and improve our community,” said, Rep. Charlie Baum.
Tennessee Reconnect: The Reconnect is an initiative to help more adults and non-traditional students return to higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace, and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential. For more information regarding Tennessee Reconnect visit www.TNreconnect.gov.
Tennessee Promise: Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students that attend college in our state. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program.
In addition, Tennessee Promise participants must complete and submit eight (8) hours of community service per term enrolled, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA) at their respective institution.
The Motlow Smyrna Campus Building 3 is located at 5002 Motlow College Boulevard (Just past the North Rutherford YMCA), Smyrna, TN 37167 and can be contacted at 615-220-7800.
Talk of naming the new building after the late Smyrna Mayor Bob Spivey?
The name Bob Spivey has been synonymous with Motlow College.
The late Smyrna Mayor Bob Spivey was the main driver to bring Motlow State Community College to Smyrna. “If it were up to me, I’d name it for Bob Spivey, who was the Smyrna mayor when we got this campus,” said Elizabeth Fitch, former Dean of Motlow College.
“It seems like yesterday that Mayor Spivey was telling me, “Mike, I’m going to bring this college to Smyrna. The children of Smyrna, La Vergne and Rutherford County need educational opportunities,”” said Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna.
WGNS “Smyrna Issues” Radio Show Advocates for Motlow Expansion
Smyrna Issues radio show with WGNS host Bryan Barrett and Rep. Mike Sparks host guests Greg Upham, Storm Water Coordinator with the Town of Smyrna and Motlow adjunct professor of geology, Jerome Dempsey w/ Dempsey, Dilling & Associates and the late Mayor Bob Spivey discuss Smyrna’s growth and the need for Motlow College.