From left, at the future site of the Engineering Building, Dr. Paul Conn, Lee chancellor; Dr. Marcie Williams, engineering professor; Kristen Grisham, director of community engagement at Lee; Rikki Singletary and Angie Sewell of Eaton; Dr. Mark Kilgore, engineering professor; Karthik Iyer, Eaton plant manager; Todd Berghoff of Eaton; Dr. Phil Cook, Lee president; Dallas Bostian of Eaton; Vanessa Hammond, vice president of university relations at Lee; and Dr. Blayne Carroll, chair of Lee’s Department of Mathematical Sciences
Lee University has received a $10,000 grant from the Eaton Charitable Fund in support of Lee’s School of Engineering capital campaign. The gift, facilitated by the company’s corporate philanthropic arm and supported by leadership at Eaton’s Cleveland facility, was announced during a presentation held at the future building site.
The grant supports Lee’s engineering campaign, which includes the construction of a state-of-the-art building outfitted with advanced technology and industry-standard labs, the launch of a new ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Engineering program, student scholarships, and the recruitment of top-tier engineering faculty, said school officials.
“We are excited about Eaton employees' engagement with Lee students about careers in engineering and the manufacturing industry that will prepare them to step into future opportunities,” said Vanessa Hammond, vice president for University Relations at Lee.
Karthik Iyer, plant manager at Eaton’s Cleveland facility, emphasized the long-term value of the collaboration. “As we all know, Eaton is a power management company. We, in Cleveland, are in the design, manufacturing, and quality engineering space, and we are looking for talent in these functions. Having a local school that helps get people ready in these domains is a huge reason why we support Lee’s engineering school.”
The gift aligns with one of Eaton Corporation’s three global giving pillars: Building the Talent Pipeline, which focuses on education and workforce development initiatives. Eaton’s other two pillars include Enhancing Our Communities and Preserving and Restoring the Environment.
“We look forward to partnering with Lee’s School of Engineering for internships, senior projects, or even recruiting graduates down the road,” said Mr. Iyer. “I am very glad Eaton decided to help with this new venture, and it is definitely not a one-time effort.”
Eaton’s Cleveland plant has previously partnered with Lee, including sponsorship of the university’s Military Appreciation Day with the Lee Flames baseball team.
The new engineering facility will be located at the corner of Central Avenue and Paul Conn Parkway on the south end of Lee’s campus, just three miles from the Eaton plant. It will serve as the physical and academic home for the engineering program, which was launched in response to regional workforce needs.
According to a 2022 report by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, there is a critical demand for engineering and manufacturing professionals across the state. This need is echoed by members of Cleveland Associated Industries, a local manufacturing alliance that includes Eaton.
Earlier this year, a representative from Eaton joined a group of CAI members in visiting Lee to learn more about the new engineering program and explore future engagement opportunities. Lee’s program aims to offer hands-on learning experiences through industry partnerships, internships, plant visits and collaborative design projects with local manufacturers.
For more information about engineering at Lee University, please email bcarroll@leeuniversity.edu.