Rotarians learn about Roane State Foundation helping local students

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Scott Niermann with the Roane State Foundation guest spoke at the Campbell County Rotary Club on Tuesday at the LaFollette United Methodist Church.

Niermann is the Executive Director for the Roane State Foundation. He was introduced by Rotarian Rhonda Longmire, who is a long-time foundation member.

“He is the foundation wing that takes care of student scholarships and runs a team that raises in excess of $3 million a year for Roane State students,” Longmire said.

The Foundation was founded in 1979 a few years after the college started. The foundation just celebrated 45 years of serving Tennessee students.

“With your help we provide financial support for students and programs on 10 Roane State campuses across 10 counties across East and Middle Tennessee. We serve three of the poorest counties in the state,” Niermann said.

The foundation tries to provide for the “unmet needs” for students attending Roane State Community College.

“Some 55 percent of our students have challenges with basic needs. Students have transportation challenges, food challenges and housing challenges,” Niermann said.

The foundation tries to help with other needs such as Internet access, childcare needs for single parents and more.

“Many of our students are working part time; there is always a need for a student who is driven to succeed, and we want to help bridge that gap,” Niermann said.

Over 60 percent of typical Roane State students work and attend school at the same time.

“We have food pantries to help students and we wouldn’t have those without Second Harvest Food Bank and local churches,” Niermann said.

The Foundation provides multiple scholarships and student aid programs

These include the Raider Fund, Annual and Endowed scholarships which can be dedicated in the memory of a loved one, dual enrollment scholarships, Middle College scholarships, the Pay-It-Forward program, Emergency Aid, Finish Lines scholarships, and the RSCC Food Pantry.

Niermann provided a breakdown of the awards and scholarships that flowed back into Campbell County for 2022-2023 school year. The Foundation had a total of 80 scholarship applications from Campbell County and 14 scholarships were awarded. Annual and Endowment Scholarships were awarded in the amount of $12,101. High School Merit Awards totaled $4,000 and the Pay-it-Forward Program provided $2,944. The total amount awarded to Campbell County students was $19,045.

He said donations to the Roane State Foundation “have the power to make a difference…it literally keeps people in classes.”

“Roane State Community College students who receive at least $1,000 in scholarships are more than twice as likely to graduate on time. We want to keep growing the foundation so as the students grow across the East Tennessee region, we want to support them and help them to succeed.” Niermann said. He also thanked the Campbell County Rotary Club for making the $1,000 donation to the Roane State Foundation in April.

“It’s folks like you and organizations like the Rotary Clubs that helps us grow and expand our support,” he said.

 For more information, call 865.882.4507 or visit roanestate.edu/foundation to learn more or to donate.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 6/19/2024- 6AM)