The Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF’s) RESET Road Show, an interactive traveling display for Nashvillians to provide input and share ideas, has seen great response from the city so far. In addition to RESET Saturday, the traveling station has made stops at Casa Azafrán, the Main Library downtown, the Madison Branch Library and Looby Branch Library. Although some neighborhood- or school-specific ideas have arisen, Nashvillians are consistently highlighting the following top three citywide priorities: • Addressing early childhood challenges (i.e., pre-K, early literacy, etc.) • Need for great teachers (i.e., recruiting, retaining and growing highly effective teachers and making sure …

For an adult thinking about retraining in STEM or culinary arts, it is possible to get a degree virtually free at Nashville State Community College, thanks to a special scholarship program. The NSCC Foundation Adult Scholarship program will cover the cost of the first six hours per semester up-front, and reimburse up to the next six hours for any adult age 25 or older seeking to pursue a degree in science, engineering, math, technology or culinary arts. “The Foundation scholarship is a last-dollar program, meaning that it pays after any other financial aid, scholarships or tuitions discounts have been applied,” …

The Gerst House. Nov. 8, 1988. Election Day. Mike Pigott’s 34th birthday. George Bush was elected president that day. It was the day and place Mike and I sealed the deal to go into business together, therefore one of the scariest days of my life, but also one of the best days of my life. They buried my friend and partner Mike last week, and the grief and emotions have been nonstop, igniting hundreds of memories, good and bad, but mostly the wonderment about how successful Mike was, what a huge impact he had on the community, and the outpouring of …

To mark the 200th anniversary of Andrew Jackson’s stunning victory in the Battle of New Orleans, The Hermitage celebrated with the launch of an exhibit taking a new look at Jackson’s life and a ceremony with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. The launch of Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm is the first comprehensive content change in the Andrew Jackson Center in 25 years, and the title comes from a famous Jackson quote: “I was born for a storm, and a calm does not suit me.” It’s the latest step in a multiyear plan that will …

State-endorsed nonprofit university WGU Tennessee today announced it will award 10 Tennesseans $10,000 scholarships as part of its new “Tenn-K” Scholarship program. “WGU Tennessee was founded to set the gold standard for affordable, quality online education customized to the busy lives of working adults,” said Dr. Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Tennessee chancellor. “The ‘Tenn-K’ Scholarship—in both its size and its name—reflects our commitment to helping more working adults in our state ‘go the distance’ and complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in 2015.” The scholarship, which covers more than 80 percent of WGU Tennessee’s already-low tuition of $3,000 per term …

MP&F client Nashville Technology Council has received an $850,000 grant from the governor’s office as part of the Labor Education Alignment Program, part three of Gov. Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative. Read the full story, which ran in the Dec. 17 issue of the Nashville Business Journal, below. The Nashville Technology Council has landed an $850,000 grant from the governor’s office, money that council CEO Bryan Huddleston says will be used to foster collaboration between businesses and local colleges and to develop a home-grown pipeline of technical talent in Middle Tennessee. The grant is part of the Labor Education Alignment Program, the third component of Gov. …

For the eighth year in a row, nonprofit Western Governors University—parent university of WGU Tennessee—has been named a Top School by Military Advanced Education (MAE) in its upcoming 2015 Guide to Colleges & Universities. The annual guide highlights institutions that provide the best educational options and fit for military service members, veterans, and their families. WGU was selected as a military-friendly school because it meets the needs of service members in areas such as affordability, flexibility, and online support services. WGU’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are approved for tuition assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel. Veterans …

The Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson announced today that it will launch its first large-scale change to its space in 25 years with a new exhibit on Jan. 8, 2015 commemorating the bicentennial anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, where Jackson led a small group of American soldiers to a decisive victory in the War of 1812. In addition, all military personnel, active and retired, will be allowed in free in 2015. Read more in the Nov. 24 edition of The Tennessean. Hermitage Celebrates Andrew Jackson With New Exhibit The Hermitage on Monday announced a new $1.1 million exhibit as …

This weekend was the 72nd running of The Santa Train, an Appalachian Christmas tradition which is co-hosted by MP&F client CSX. Celebrity guest Amy Grant passed out toys, food and goods to children at the various stops along the 110-mile route. Read more about Amy’s experience in the Nov. 23 edition of The Tennessean. Santa Train Keeps Christmas On Track KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Christmas came a month early for hundreds of country girls and boys Saturday as the Santa Train merrily moseyed through rural Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. A 110-mile magical sleigh ride along the rails, this Appalachian holiday tradition …