Roane State Community College receives donations toward building of new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center

Roane State Community College has recently received contributions from The Stowers Machinery Foundation and The Boyd Foundation for the construction of the future Knox Regional Health Science Education Center. The new center is expected to open in Fall 2025 and will provide classroom and lab space for health sciences classes from both Roane State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville.

According to an article on Roane State Community College’s website, The Stowers Machinery Foundation has donated $100,000 toward the new center’s construction. Wes Stowers, who serves as the chairman and CEO of Stowers Machinery Corporation, was quoted as saying of the company’s decision to donate, "We are very excited about what this new Roane State facility will provide our community. Educating skilled healthcare professionals is a tremendous need and we are proud to support such a worthy cause that will impact so many.”

The Knox Regional Health Science Education Center will be 130,000 square feet and will be located near the Parkwest Medical Center. The Knox Regional Health Science Education Center will include lab space, classroom space, and a simulation center that will be able to mimic a variety of healthcare settings for students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study, including an emergency room and an ambulance bay. Roane State Community College will offer classes such as EMS, nursing, polysomnography, and respiratory therapy, and planned future class additions such as cardiovascular technology and public health will reside within the new center, as well.

Scott Niermann, the executive director of Roane State Foundation, said of the contribution from The Stowers Machinery Foundation, “This gift moves us closer to our goal of ensuring all students have access to an excellent health science education. We look forward to building on this strong partnership with the Stowers family as we prepare to welcome the first students through the doors of this new campus next year.”

Another article on Roane State Community College’s website detailed the donation the school received from The Boyd Foundation. That donation totaled $250,000 and will make a dent in the remaining necessary capital to complete the project. Of The Boyd Foundation’s donation, Niermann said, “This is the largest capital project in Roane State history, and we are so thankful for partners like the Boyd family who are at the forefront of communicating how this facility will serve our students and communities. As our fundraising campaign continues, we welcome the support of citizens across the region who value a healthy, thriving community.”

Randy Boyd, who is the co-founder of The Boyd Foundation, said of the contribution, “The Boyd Foundation understands the need for a high-quality allied health talent pipeline. We are thankful for institutions like Roane State Community College that are meeting workforce demands while also ensuring students have a path to a high-quality credential after high school.”

The Boyd Foundation is, according to its website, a charitable organization that is “focused on education, arts and preservation, animal welfare and mental health, [and] the Boyd Foundation is both intentional and comprehensive in their giving approach,” in the mission to make Tennessee a better place.

For more information about Roane State Community College, visit the school’s website.