TBC revamping Distance Learning program

*New DL assistant Mark Day on board to help

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE — Tennessee Bible College may be located in the heart of the Upper Cumberland, but that doesn't stop students elsewhere in the country, or even the world, from taking advantage.

In fact, the majority of TBC's scholars complete their studies from afar, having enrolled in the college's Distance Learning program. For several years now, the program has offered students a chance to earn a college degree from home, corresponding primarily by mail and finishing assignments and tests on their own timetable.

But change is on the way for these long-distance learners.

"Our Distance Learning program is outdated in a lot of ways, so we're revamping it," said Mark Day, TBC's new assistant to the dean in Distance Learning. "We'll soon be offering courses online and changing the way we do Distance Learning as far as having deadlines to help move students along. In the past, we've had problems with students signing up and never getting around to completing courses, so we think it will help on both sides when we put them on a schedule."

Mark Day serves as Tennessee Bible College's new assistant to the dean in Distance Learning. He is in charge of restructuring the program to better accommodate more students and make it available online.

Day joins forces with TBC's dean, Kerry Duke, who has headed up Distance Learning since it began in 2000. Both look forward to bringing the program up to Web speed, saying the changes will make it "far more effective and convenient" for students.

The basic plan, Day said, is for students to access weekly assignments and tests by logging onto the Internet.

TBC President Malcolm Hill has high hopes for the new and improved Distance Learning program as well.

"We'll be able to serve more people now that Mark Day is on board with us," he said. "The Distance Learning program is one of our best works, and the future looks bright for it."

Day comes as no stranger to TBC. He has served in the college's video production department part-time since 2005 and is also a full-time student at TBC and preacher at Midway Church of Christ near Spencer. He earned his two-year preaching diploma in 2007 and continues to work toward a bachelor's degree in religious education.

A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Day said he was drawn to TBC primarily for preacher training. His wife, Alissa, whom he married in 2006, also happened to live in Cookeville. 

What's the best part of working at TBC?

"I think it's the magnitude of influence we are able to have working together here at Tennessee Bible College," Mark said. "On your own, your efforts may sometimes seem pitiful. Obviously, everybody should do things on their own, but at TBC I'm able to reach people I would have otherwise never come in contact with."

TBC offers a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology and a two-year diploma. For more information about Distance Learning, call (931)526-2616, e-mail the college or visit the campus at 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville.