Glass announces end of 40-year career: President will leave Motlow College effective Dec. 20
|
Glass is the college’s third president and the first to retire from the position.
“I think the time is right,” said Glass, who will retire at the end of the fall semester. “Motlow is at a high point in its development. It is a prosperous institution. My greatest role in this prosperity has been to assemble the very best faculty and staff at any institution.”
Glass has been Motlow’s president since 1987. Under his leadership, student enrollment has grown 65 percent.
Committed to student success, Glass spearheaded many initiatives in the academic area, including an enhanced series of cultural programs. During his tenure, the curriculum has expanded to include an honors program, interactive video and Internet classes, and dual and joint enrollment programs with area high schools.
“I’ve tried to create a climate that fosters student success at Motlow College,” Glass said. “Students are the primary purpose of the college and as faculty and staff I strongly believe it is our responsibility to help students achieve their full potential as scholars and leaders.”
Responsible for an 11-county service area, Glass led initiatives to expand class offerings beyond the Moore County campus into local communities, which eventually resulted in the construction of the McMinnville Center in 1988 and the Fayetteville Center in 1990.
Recognizing the need for a community college presence in Rutherford County, an initiative to offer classes began in 1997 with a full-service teaching site in Smyrna housed at the Tennessee Army National Guard coming to fruition in January 2000. The Motlow College/National Guard partnership is the first in the state.
Perhaps Glass’ biggest challenge came when he spearheaded a $5 million endowment campaign through the Motlow College Foundation. His tireless efforts in fund-raising to date have acquired pledges and intents-to-give totaling more than $3 million.
Glass began his career in the Murfreesboro City School System, where he served as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal. He joined the staff at MTSU and worked in multiple areas of the university before coming to Motlow in 1975. At Motlow, he served as dean of academic affairs and dean of the college before being named president in 1987.
He is a three-time graduate of MTSU, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1964, master of arts degree in 1965, and a doctorate of arts in 1973.
Glass is married to the former Mary Katherine Knowles of Smithville. They have two sons, Joey and Jon.