Small business donates $10,000 for new Center for Math & Science at Pellissippi State

Posted at 12:24 pm September 22, 2019
By Susanna Waters Leave a Comment

Romaine Evans, GEM vice president; Michael Evans, GEM president/CEO; Ryan Overton, GEM vice president; Anthony Wise, Pellissippi State president. Left to right, back row: Susanna Waters, GEM business development manager; Esam Abid, GEM employee and current student at Pellissippi; and Ben Jerrell, GEM chief financial officer. (Submitted photo)

GEM Technologies has donated $10,000 to the Pellissippi State Community College Foundation to support the construction of the new Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science, a press release said.

Pellissippi State is Tennessee’s largest community college, and the 82,000-foot Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science will play an integral part in meeting the increasing demand for lab spaces and classrooms on Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley Campus, which has the largest enrollment of the college’s five campuses, the press release said.

“As a long-time neighbor to Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley Campus, GEM is thrilled to partner with the college as they continue their excellent work educating the students of the community,” said GEM President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Evans after presenting GEM’s contribution to Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. on September 13.

GEM, a small business leader in East Tennessee, currently employs a local workforce of approximately 200 engineers, scientists, professionals, and skilled staff, the press release said.

“The company recognizes the importance of the further development of the math and science programs at Pellissippi State and looks forward to strengthening the bridge from college graduation to career placement for graduates,” the press release said.

The construction of the Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science is essential to Pellissippi State as demands for classrooms and lab spaces have increased due to the introduction of Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, last-dollar scholarships that provide two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee, the press release said. Haslam, the governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019, was instrumental in the creation and advancement of these programs, the release said.

Pellissippi State’s Hardin Valley Campus has not received any major renovations or new buildings for more than a decade. The addition of the Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science will add a significant amount of instructional space, including nine science labs and six computer labs, 18 classrooms, and a teacher education center, the press release said.

“Celebrating its 25th anniversary this September, GEM is focused on the future and working toward strengthening partnerships and support to the community, and firmly believes that investing in education and workforce development is key to supporting the continuous growth in the East Tennessee region,” the release said.

GEM Technologies had a 25th anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 19, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

This press release was submitted by Susanna Waters.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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