Motlow State Celebrates 55th Graduation
May 15, 2025
Five-hundred and sixty graduates out of almost one thousand 2024-2025 graduating students walked the stage to receive their diplomas from Motlow State at the recent graduation ceremony. The event, held at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center, celebrated the accomplishments of Motlow State students from all five locations and online.
Dr. Michael Torrence, President of Motlow State, opened the ceremony and commended the graduates for their hard work and the loved ones whose support and encouragement helped these students to reach the finish line. Students who received special acknowledgement from Dr. Torrence were Emma Hill and Amanda Powell, both Nursing students who are the first to ever complete Motlow State and University of Alabama in Huntsville’s (UAH) partnership program, which allows a student to complete an Associates of Nursing at Motlow and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UAH simultaneously. Additionally, graduate Joe Greene, age 74, received a shout-out for being the oldest graduate at the ceremony and reminding those present that it is never too late to acquire new knowledge and achieve new accomplishments.
State Senator Shane Reeves delivered the commencement address during the ceremony. He is a seventh-generation Tennessean and fourth generation pharmacist dating back to his great grandfather learned the value of education from his mother, who was a teacher. He now strives to help those within his district access a quality education, making him the ideal speaker for this year’s ceremony.
Out of the nearly 1,000 graduates, 112 of those were Middle College students. The Middle College Program allows high school students to use Motlow’s dual-enrollment program to achieve an associate’s degree while in high school, giving them the opportunity to receive a college diploma weeks before receiving their high school diplomas. Dual enrollment students now comprise nearly one-third of Motlow State’s credit student body. The program enables students to get a head-start in their college careers, reducing the amount of time and money necessary to complete a degree so that they can chase their ambitions sooner. The College extends a special congratulations to these students for setting their goals high and for embracing the challenge of completing an accelerated program.
The college congratulates all the graduates and commends them for achieving the next step toward their academic and career goals. Visit the Motlow Facebook page for a full gallery of photos taken at the event.