N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University received an unprecedented $93.8 million in gifts in the recently concluded fiscal year, an amount believed to be the most raised by a public HBCU in a single year. None may be more meaningful than the $5.5 million gift N.C. A&T received from Corning Inc.
N.C. A&T and Corning kicked off their five-year partnership on Friday, introducing an inaugural 53 Corning Scholars and Fellows at America’s largest historically Black university.
The partnership is the result gift from Corning — the largest corporate donation in A&T history — that is designed to prepare A&T students for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and education and to graduate more teachers from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.
The relationship between N.C. A&T and Corning has the potential to have a tremendous local, state and national impact, said Paula Groves Price, dean of A&T’s College of Education and president of the American Educational Studies Association.
“This partnership addresses a critical need to diversify the STEM workforce by investing in an entire education ecosystem,” Price said. “While many corporations might invest only in scholarships to recruit STEM graduates, Corning’s approach is much more comprehensive and impactful for current and future A&T students. They are invested in not only supporting the diversification of the teaching profession, but also improving access and experiences for students in communities across the state.
“In addition to scholarships for STEM students, Corning is investing in Aggie Educators – future teachers who will inspire our future innovators – and K-12 STEM programming that will reach thousands of children in the state.”
A&T and Corning leaders met with 30 of the Corning Scholars and Fellows on Friday, including Olivia Rogers of Pfafftown, who is studying elementary education.
“Corning Scholars is such a blessing to me,” said Rogers. “As a Corning Scholar, I represent our future leaders and educators. Without this scholarship I would not have been able to go to college, let alone one with such an excellent education program.”
Rogers is one of 19 Triad students accepted into the program. While there is a strong local presence, there is also a noteworthy national contingent — 15 members are from out of state.
“This is a proud day for Corning as we celebrate these young scholars at North Carolina A&T State University who inspire us with their hard work, intellectual curiosity and enormous potential,” said Michael A. Bell, senior vice president and general manager of Corning’s Optical Communications business. “The first class of Corning Scholars and Fellows represent some of the bright young minds that will help fuel Corning with the diverse talent we need to continue our record of life-changing innovation for another 170 years.”
Corning employs nearly 5,000 in North Carolina, with a 50-year history of advanced manufacturing in the state. Across its Optical Communications and Life Sciences businesses, Corning operates facilities in Winston-Salem, Hickory, Newton, Concord, Charlotte, Wilmington, Tarboro and Durham.
The members of the inaugural cohort of Corning Scholars and Fellows from the Triad, with their hometowns, study program and college:
- Kaleb Artis, Greensboro, North Carolina, mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
- Brandon Davis, Greensboro, mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
- Nigel Devane, Greensboro, information technology, College of Science and Tecnhology
- Torrance Eberhart, Greensboro, mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
- Taylor Headen, Greensboro, computer science, College of Engineering
- Steven Henderson, Greensboro, MBA, Deese College
- Kevin Hilliard, Greensboro, computer science, College of Engineering
- Brandon Manns, Reidsville, North Carolina, computer engineering, College of Engineering
- Tony Martin, Greensboro, industrial and systems engineering, College of Engineering
- Aliyah McCray, Greensboro, MBA, Deese College
- Ryan Reese, Greensboro, electrical engineering, College of Engineering
- Olivia Rogers, Pfafftown, North Carolina, elementary education, College of Education
- Paula Salmon, Greensboro, teaching, College of Education
- Makynzie Sprinkle, Winston-Salem, elementary education, College of Education
- Jeremy Stowe, Greensboro, mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
- Daniel Tobias, High Point, North Carolina, data science and engineering, College of Engineering
- Nathan Vazquez, High Point, civil engineering, College of Engineering
- Jared Via, Greensboro, MBA, Deese College
- Kojo Wilson, Gibsonville, North Carolina, teaching, College of Education
