MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion Technical College (MTC) is experiencing unprecedented growth, boasting its largest enrollment in its 50-plus year history. Randy Bigley of Community Spotlight recently spoke with representatives from the college, including Dr. Amy Adams and Mike Stucky, who shared the exciting news.
“We are just shy of 3,500 students, which is our largest enrollment in our 50 plus year history,” said Dr. Adams, highlighting the appeal of the college’s diverse offerings, spanning over 60 majors from business and healthcare to engineering and cybersecurity. Stuck echoed this sentiment, noting the increasing popularity of two-year community colleges and trade schools as individuals seek accessible pathways to education and career changes.
As the spring semester draws to a close, MTC is gearing up for its annual graduation ceremony on Friday, May 16th, at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Marion. Over 400 students from the August, December, and May graduating classes are expected to participate. A graduation dinner at the Bay Pavilion will precede the ceremony.
The college will also celebrate the graduation of 45 nurses at a pinning ceremony earlier on the 16th.
In other news, the MTC Foundation will host its 4th annual golf outing on Thursday, May 22, at Kings Mill near Waldo. Proceeds from the event support student scholarships. The foundation’s matching grant program, requiring only $5,000 to establish an endowed scholarship, has proven highly successful, raising nearly $200,000 in the past four years and doubling the number of endowed scholarships available to students. Sponsorship opportunities and a few remaining spots for golf teams are still available.
Looking ahead, MTC is expanding its facilities with the recent purchase of a 60,000 square foot building at 107 N Main St. in downtown Marion, across from the courthouse. The college had been renting space in the building and seized the opportunity to buy it, maintaining its status as one of the few debt-free colleges in Ohio. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 17th.
MTC is also launching a full-time, one-semester Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) program this fall, addressing the community’s need for trained law enforcement officers.
Furthermore, the deadline for many of MTC’s healthcare program applications is approaching, with remaining spots available for the fall semester. These limited enrollment programs include nursing, radiography, and various therapy and technician fields.
For alumni, MTC offers a monthly e-newsletter to keep them informed about campus happenings and invites them to connect.
Individuals interested in attending Marion Technical College can find more information and apply online at www.mtc.edu, stop by the campus, or call for assistance. The application process is brief, and admissions counselors and financial aid staff are available to help prospective students navigate their options and access financial aid, including Pell Grants for eligible low-income students. The college emphasizes its commitment to affordability, with a $210 per credit hour tuition rate and efforts to reduce textbook costs through open educational resources. The deadline for many MTC Foundation scholarships is May 1m.
MTC also announced its second national championship in eSports, with its Rainbow 6 Siege team defeating Eastern Kentucky University. The college’s eSports program is a popular club sport attracting both high school and adult learners, with some students receiving scholarships to continue their participation at four-year institutions.
Additionally, MTC is organizing a study abroad trip to Germany from March 7 to 16 of next year, open to both students and community members.
“We really want to remove any barriers that students are facing,” Dr. Adams emphasized, highlighting the college’s dedication to accessibility and student success.