SMYRNA, Tenn. — Cincere Douglas and Nancy Goday will be heading to MTSU this fall to pursue four-year degrees after earning their high school diplomas and an associate degree through the Early College @ Motlow dual enrollment program offered at La Vergne High School.

Going forward, La Vergne High students in Early College will benefit from Middle Tennessee State University’s “Fast Lane” initiative unveiled Friday, April 22, in the MaryLou Apple Building at Motlow State Community College. 

Holding certificates received from MTSU and posing with university cheerleaders and mascot Lightning, La Vergne High School seniors in the Early College @ Motlow program are committed to coming to the university in August. They were recognized during a ceremony at Motlow State Community College Friday, April 22, in Smyrna, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The fast lane effort has been developed to provide La Vergne High juniors and seniors in the Early College with focused and intentional advising and orientation for those who wish to complete a four-year degree at MTSU.

“I am absolutely excited and on board with anything we can do to impact the achievement of students,” said Hope Bakari, La Vergne High assistant principal and director of the Early College @ Motlow program. “They have set goals for themselves and, if we’re supporting them to achieve those goals, I’m excited for that.”

Bakari received the go-ahead from Rutherford County Schools at the event to implement the fast lane program.

Representing MTSU, Andrew Oppmann, vice president of Marketing and Communications, congratulated the students committed to MTSU.

“You’ve already gotten this Fast Lane head start and you’re already two years in toward your four-year degree,” Oppmann said.

“You will enter MTSU poised to do great things, and a great education already behind you with our partner, Motlow State Community College, our No. 1 transfer partner. We work with them all the time and we’re grateful you got your start here.”

Hope Bakari, left, La Vergne High School assistant principal and director of the Early College @ Motlow program for La Vergne, offers congratulations to a group of 29 seniors about to earn their diplomas and also receive their associate degree from Motlow. Seventeen of the students are committed to attending MTSU this fall. The event took place Friday, April 22, at Motlow State Community College’s MaryLou Apple Building in Smyrna, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

On animal science, business pathways

MTSU awarded certificates and gave True Blue swag to 15 other seniors joining Douglas and Goday in committing to attending MTSU in August.

Douglas, 18, who lives in Smyrna, plans to study animal science in the School of Agriculture.

“They really make you feel included,” she said. “When I got accepted to attend MTSU and how I had applied for animal science, all of the head people (in that program) emailed me with ‘Welcome.’ They were telling me about all of the scholarships involved with animal science. I liked the intimacy and how close-knit it seemed. Plus, they have dorms that are specifically for animal science, and I liked that as well.”

Godoy, 17, a La Vergne resident, intends to pursue business innovation and entrepreneurship in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business.

On a previous campus tour, she really “enjoyed the environment and friendliness of everyone that was there. I’m really interested in the business department. I remember hearing they had stocks they would invest money in and it would transfer to the next group of students that would come in. I thought that was really interesting because that is something I’m interested in doing.”

La Vergne High School senior Ella Coffey, left, talks with MTSU Admissions recruiter Lindsay Randolph, learning more about opportunities at the university Friday, April 22, at Motlow State Community College’s MaryLou Apple Building in Smyrna, Tenn.. One of La Vergne’s valedictorians, Coffey plans to study education and become a teacher. She and 16 other seniors received certificates from MTSU, where all plan to attend starting in August. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

MTSU surprised a group of La Vergne High School seniors in the Early College @ Motlow program Friday, April 22, at Motlow State Community College’s Apple Building. Seventeen students are committing to attend the Murfreesboro university this fall. MTSU cheerleaders and mascot Lightning helped pull off the surprise. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

On the horizon

In May, juniors in the Early College program will visit MTSU for a campus tour and meet new freshmen and transfer counselors and enjoy lunch.

In August, MTSU will come and meet La Vergne students for an overall orientation to new and continuing Early College students about the Tennessee Pathways, a partnership the university has with Motlow.

For more information, call MTSU admissions at 615-898-2233 or email admissions@mtsu.edu. For information about the La Vergne High’s Early College @ Motlow program, call by calling Bakari 615-586-7007 or email her at bakarih@rcschools.net.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Andrew Oppmann, vice president of Marketing and Communications for MTSU, congratulates the La Vergne High School seniors who are committed to attending MTSU this fall and ushers in the MTSU Fast Lane initiative Friday, April 22, at Motlow State Community College’s MaryLou Apple Building in Smyrna, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)