(MURFREESBORO) Motlow State Community College President Michael L. Torrence told Murfreesboro Rotary members on Tuesday (8/21/2018) that when you total the almost 7,000 students on all campuses, that Rutherford County represents 39.2 per cent of their total enrollment. Only two other counties have double digit figures: Coffee with 10.8 per cent and Warren with 10 per cent.

Dr. Torrence was asked what excited him most about Motlow State . . .

Eliminating student barriers is one of Dr. Torrence's priorities. A good example being the contract signed three-months ago that creates a flawless transfer of Motlow's two-years of credits to be accepted toward a four-year degree at MTSU.

He was waving the Rutherford county banner before the 99-year old Rotary club. He shared data that compared local residents to Tennessee as a whole. The high school graduation rate here is now 95.3 per cent as compard to 89.1 across the state. Studies show that opportunities over the next decade in the Murfreesboro area are dramatically higher with a 24.5 per cent population increase compared to 8.2 per cent statewide.

Motlow State offers more opportunities with a dual enrollment program that allows Rutherford County School students to earn college credit while in high school. Projections show a 40 per cent increase this academic year.

This all aligns with Governor Bill Haslam's goals to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with post secondary credentials to 55 per cent by the year 2025.

Motlow State Community College has campuses in Smyrna, Tullahoma, McMinnville and Fayetteville; as well as facilities in Shelbyville and Sparta. For more information, CLICK HERE.