Photo Caption: Roane State and MS Technology representatives pause for a photo at an East Tennessee Economic Council meeting in October following a donation to support local college students. Pictured from left to right are: Mike Magill, RSCC Workforce Development Director; Patti Pace, Principal Systems Architect with MS Technology; Randy Inklebarger, President & CEO of MS Technology; Teresa Duncan, Vice President of Workforce and Community Development at Roane State; Leigha Justice, Roane State Foundation Board Member.
February 1, 2023
An Oak Ridge business is living up to its commitment to community with a recent gift to Roane State Foundation.
MS Technology donated $1,000 this past fall to help support the Foundation’s Pay-it-Forward Emergency Aid program, which provides assistance to students facing unexpected financial burdens.
“We have a history of supporting education in East Tennessee and are pleased to provide this donation,” said Harbans Singla, MS Technology founder and chairman.
Established in 1994, MS Technology helps manage complicated, schedule-driven assignments for customers in the engineering and technology industry. The business is based in Oak Ridge but has employees working throughout the United States.
“This emergency fund is an excellent example of the caring support provided by Roane State to assure students have every opportunity to complete their education,” Singla said.
As part of the program, students can apply for up to $500 in emergency assistance to help cover an unforeseen expense during the semester. Car repairs, gas, childcare, utility bills, and general loss of income are all scenarios that qualify for aid.
“The goal is keeping Roane State students in the classroom,” said Foundation executive director Scott Niermann. “Many students are working full or part-time jobs while going to school. Add family and home responsibilities to that workload and one incident has the potential to derail their progress. These funds help keep students on track to meet their educational goals.”
Approximately $35,000 was awarded from the Pay-it-Forward program during the 2021-2022 academic year. Donations to the fund can be made online at roanestate.edu/donate.
Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer programs, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has locations in Roane, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, and Scott counties as well as a branch campus in Oak Ridge. For more information, visit roanestate.edu or call (865) 882-4554. Remember, eligible adults can now attend Roane State tuition-free with the new Reconnect grant. Learn more at roanestate.edu/reconnect.
Roane State Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that seeks to enhance community awareness of the college, to secure private contributions and bequests, and to manage monies or properties given to the Foundation, including an approximately $12 million endowment. Roane State Foundation supports the college with capital projects, equipment, educational programs and scholarships. For more information or to make a gift to support Roane State students, visit roanestate.edu/foundation, email Foundationdept@roanestate.edu, or call (865) 882-4507.
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.
