Motivation enhances student learning (Wang, 2012). One means for an instructor to stimulate students and get them actively involved is to establish good rapport with them (Cottringer & Sloan, 2003). For this study, county courthouse portfolios were developed and used to build relationships and motivate college students. The strategy was applied at an urban institution that attracted a large number of its students from the resident state. The professor, over a three-year period, visited all county courthouses in the state and for each, developed a portfolio containing photos of the courthouse with him pictured therein, other photos, and descriptive and informative data about the facility. Back in the classroom the professor surveyed the students to determine their resident county and shared with them information contained in the portfolios. The students were also requested to provide other information about the county which could be added to the portfolio. A challenge was issued to the students, "If the professor walked a mile in your shoes, would you join him and run a marathon to educate school children?" The ultimate objective was to establish an authentic relationship with students and to motivate them to strive for excellence in the teacher preparation program. The study is supported by a review of the literature on elements essential in motivating college students to achieve and it informs the profession as to how different techniques may be helpful. Initial results showed that the courthouse-portfolio concept produced positive results in establishing rapport and motivating college students.