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Milligan College, TN (Jan. 28, 2009) — Milligan College’s science area recently received a $10,000 boost from Eastman Chemical Company. The gift solidifies Eastman’s growing relationship with Milligan and enables the college’s scientific learning area to purchase needed equipment for students to use in analytical chemistry.
Dr. Sador Black, Eastman’s director of corporate analytical services, explained that the Kingsport-based company wants to build better relationships with area colleges and universities to help educate the future business professionals and scientists their company needs.
“It is important to us to have Milligan in our community,” said Black. “We’re going to have people in our company leave or retire soon, and we want people to work for us who are well educated and pleased to be in the East Tennessee area.”
Dr. Diane Junker, area chair and professor of chemistry and nursing at Milligan, is pleased about the opportunities the partnership affords students.
“Milligan will be able to enrich the learning opportunities for our chemistry students by arranging for internships with Eastman and in turn Eastman will benefit by having well-prepared, energetic students who are the future of the industrial work force,” said Junker.
Following the Jan. 16 gift presentation to Milligan President Donald R. Jeanes, Eastman employees, including Milligan alumnus Steve Druschel, toured the science building.
“It has been good to visit the campus and talk with former professors,” said Druschel . “This is a great opportunity for Eastman and Milligan to team up and prepare students for future jobs in our community.”
Dr. Robert Clemens, vice president for corporate technology at Eastman, echoed that sentiment.
“Obviously, strong educational institutions are important to us at Eastman,” said Clemens. “Strong science programs are valuable for all students, not just scientists. Well-educated people in any occupation make the community better for all of us.”