Timken Grant to SCC Foundation

May 12, 2021 by Cheri Anderson-Hucks | SCC | 2021news

Timken check presented at SCC — From left: Scott Lamitina, HR manager, The Timken Corporation, Duncan Distribution Center; Bea Walters Smith, executive director, SCC Foundation; Cynthia Gray, healthcare program director, SCC CCE; Timothy Boosz, warehouse manager, The Timken Corporation, Duncan Distribution Center; Melissa Schmitt, director of manufacturing & industrial solutions, SCC CCE; and Caroline Sexton, SCC director of grants.

The Timken Foundation awarded the Spartanburg Community College Foundation $56,105 to increase access to high-quality educational equipment in healthcare, welding and massage therapy at the SCC Tyger River Campus in Duncan. Funds from the Timken Foundation grant will purchase cutting-edge equipment and upgrade the lighting in classrooms at the Duncan campus, allowing SCC students to learn and gain invaluable skills on industry-specific equipment.

“The SCC Foundation is proud to partner with the Timken Foundation to strengthen the Upstate workforce,” explains Bea Walters Smith, executive director, SCC Foundation & Advancement.

Thanks to this grant, the college will purchase innovative simulation equipment for new courses taught by SCC’s Corporate and Career Education division in healthcare education including certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, patient care technician and phlebotomy. This new equipment will provide students with real-world educational experiences to better prepare them for future careers in healthcare.

The Timken grant also allows the college’s CCE division to establish its first welding certification program at the Tyger River Campus by funding a new welding lab that includes cutting-edge welding machinery for 10 welding booths. These new booths provide students first-hand welding experience throughout their SCC educational journey, so they are skill-ready on day one of a new job.

Finally, students pursuing an SCC massage therapy certificate or associate degree in applied science at the Tyger River Campus can now learn and practice a greater variety of professional massage techniques using two new, state-of-the-art massage tables.

Rhonda Johns, SCC’s dean of CCE, is thrilled to have such strong local support. “SCC is so thankful for the generous gift from the Timken Foundation that will enhance our Tyger River Campus. Timken’s grant will allow us to establish the beginner’s welding certificate at the Tyger River Campus. Additionally, program enhancements in massage therapy and healthcare will strengthen our graduates’ workforce readiness. The LED lighting upgrade will help our students to perceive small, sophisticated healthcare techniques and minute machinery parts.”

For more information on CCE offerings at the SCC Tyger River Campus, visit www.sccsc.edu/CCE.

A photo is available for download via Flickr: www.flickr.com/SCC-Timken-Grant