The Tennessee Board of Regents appointed Dr. Michael L. Torrence as the next president of Motlow State Community College. The college has campuses in Smyrna, Tullahoma, McMinnville and Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Torrence will assume office at Motlow on May 1.
The Board of Regents met in a special session to receive and act on TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings' recommendations for the presidency. The chancellor chose Torrence for recommendation from among four finalists selected by separate search committees appointed by the Board last fall.
Torrence is currently assistant vice president of academic affairs at Volunteer State Community College. He has 11 years of experience in higher education administration and nearly 23 years of full- and part-time teaching experience. He earned a doctor of philosophy degree, with a major in exceptional learning, at Tennessee Tech University, and master of arts and bachelor of arts degrees at South Dakota State University, both with a major in English. Torrence is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving as a senior airman from 1992 to 1996.
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Torrence.
Torrence stated: "I am overwhelmed and appreciative of the opportunity to stand up Motlow and connect in ways that perhaps we haven't done yet but we will. I want support for student success and completion and workforce development. That ties directly into the governor's initiatives - the Drive to 55, Tennessee Reconnect and Tennessee Promise. We understand the importance of making sure that we collaborate and have programs that are designed in ways that meets the needs of the community. I look forward to making that happen and to success for our students and our communities."
Regent Tom Griscom chaired the Motlow search committee, which received 57 applicants for the presidency. The finalists participated in meetings with faculty, staff and students and public forums on the campuses. Tydings then reviewed input gathered at the meetings and forums and interviewed all the finalists before deciding on her recommendations to the Board.
At Motlow State Community College, which has a campus in Smyrna, Torrence will succeed Dr. Anthony G. Kinkel, who resigned last June, and Interim President Hilda Tunstill, Motlow's vice president of finance and administration.
