As part of National Manufacturing Day, SL Tennessee LLC was presented with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). Front from left are Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley, state Rep. John Ragan, Roane State workforce training and placement director Kim Harris, TBR vice chancellor for external affairs Dr. Kim McCormick, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, and WH Son, Scott Laska and DS Choi with SL Tennessee. Back row from left are Wonsu Kim, Jim Tompkins, Bill Lear, Regent Danni Varlan, and Yeonsoo Chung.
Oct. 10, 2018
By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer
CLINTON, Tenn. – Roane State Community College officials picked National Manufacturing Day – Oct. 5 – to recognize one of Anderson County’s foremost industrial citizens for its gifts to the college of knowledge, equipment and training.
SL Tennessee LLC was honored for receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy from the Tennessee Board of Regents. The company makes automotive parts in three buildings with a total of 770,000 square feet under roof in the Clinton/Interstate 75 Industrial Park. The firm now has 950 employees.
Roane State President Chris Whaley nominated SL Tennessee for the award for its unwavering and continuing support of the community college that has included:
providing a state-of-the-art injection molding machine and training by three instructors in its use:
furnishing other equipment for students in the mechatronics program in the college’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton;
offering internships to students in area high schools;
donating land next to its facility for a training facility that will be used by students at both Roane State and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology;
Spending more than $65,000 with Roane State last year for non-credit training of company employees.
“SL Tennessee is an example of how education and industry are working together to develop a well-trained workforce and thriving economy,” said Dr. Kim McCormick, vice chancellor for external affairs with the Tennessee Board of Regents. “I’m amazed to learn all that SL Tennessee does for the community.”
Also offering praise for the company’s efforts were Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and state Representative John Ragan.
“We try to be good stewards of the community by not only bringing jobs but helping to provide career paths,” said Scott Laska, SL Tennessee’s business development manager. He said the company expects to continue its philanthropic activities in Anderson County.
The mechatronics program in the college’s Clinton facility is booming and now includes a Middle College program where high school students can obtain an associate’s degree from the college at the same time they receive their high school diploma, Whaley said.
“None of what we’ve accomplished at this facility could have been done without the great partners in Clinton and Anderson County,” he said.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.