Roane State Community College

^{Roane State and Morning Pointe representatives pause for a group photo during a tour of the college’s Oak Ridge campus.}

November 30, 2023

The Morning Pointe Foundation and Roane State Community College recently announced a new partnership involving scholarships for physical and occupational therapy students.

The Morning Pointe Foundation will provide a $1,500 scholarship for each program. Roane State offers associate of applied science degrees in both fields.

Founded in 2014, the Morning Pointe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides scholarship opportunities, forms community partnerships and supports caregivers in its mission to advance the care of seniors.

“Partners like Roane State Community College are critical to the success of the Morning Pointe Foundation as we strive to provide financial support for students pursuing careers related to senior care,” said Miranda Perez, executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation. “Physical and occupational therapy is being used more and more with the aging population, and there is a real need for therapists. It’s a great healthcare career and a great way to help seniors live more independently for longer.”

“We are so thankful to the Morning Pointe Foundation for this generous gift that will support students pursuing these vital programs,” said Scott Niermann, Roane State Foundation executive director. “Both of the new scholarships will help remove financial barriers so that students can achieve their goals in the classroom and beyond.”

Since its inception, the Morning Pointe Foundation has funded over 75 scholarships at partner community colleges.

Greg A. Vital, president of Morning Pointe Senior Living shared, “Especially in our post-pandemic healthcare environment, skilled employees like our Morning Pointe Foundation scholars are an incredibly precious resource. Their contributions are a blessing to society, and it is our privilege to assist in bringing new and passionate caregivers into the workforce.”

To learn more about Roane State’s physical (PTA) and occupational therapy (OTA) programs, visit roanestate.edu/PTA or roanestate.edu/OTA.

Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living owns and operates 38 senior living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. These include eight in the Knoxville area, in Knoxville, Clinton, Hardin Valley, Powell and Lenoir City. Morning Pointe just broke ground on The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Hardin Valley in Knoxville.

Roane State Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that seeks to enhance community awareness of Roane State Community College, to secure private contributions and bequests, and to manage monies or properties given to the Foundation, including approximately $23 million in endowments and other investments. 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.