Rubbermaid donates equipment to TMC
by Vicky Kaniaru
CLEVELAND, Ga. (TMCNews) — Rubbermaid donated nearly $36,000 in laboratory equipment to Truett-McConnell College’s biology program.
“Rubbermaid provided a substantial donation of consumable laboratory supplies, including, but not limited to Petri dishes, culture tubes, and serological pipettes of various size and calibration,” said Robert Bowen, TMC assistant professor of biology.
Other donated items included a large and a small incubator, a water bath, a mixing vortexer, an autoclave sterilizer, and a walk-in fume hood.
“I am very grateful for the support that Rubbermaid has provided for TMC, our biology program, and me, personally,” Bowen said. “There are other private companies that willingly support the small college educational experience and might very well support TMC and our biology program with equipment and monetary donation. It is just a matter of linking relationships together that will benefit all parties involved. “
The donation came after Bowen and Ken Hull — principal engineer for Newell-Rubbermaid in Huntersville, N.C. — met at church. Hull approached Bowen last year about a laboratory supplies donation the company planned to make to create more space in their research and development facility.
It is common for Rubbermaid to support local schools, charities and families, Hull told TMCNews. “It is part of our purpose. In this case, I had some equipment I no longer needed. I have a good connection and friendship with Dr. Bowen, and so I asked if his lab would benefit.”
“Well, a biologist never passes up on free stuff,” said Bowen, who, after he began his TMC employment, called Hull to further inquire about the donation.
Hull said, “At Newell-Rubbermaid, our vision is to be a global company of Brands That Matter™ and great people, known for best-in-class results.”
“Our purpose is to help people flourish by growing their competence, confidence, connections and courage,” Hull continued. “We know that building competence will then turn into confidence. Confident people create and leverage connections, and together, consumers, employees, customers, communities and other stakeholders will have the courage to flourish.
“The hope is that the donation will help Dr. Bowen, his research, the students and the communities flourish,” Hull said.
“The private sector, including companies like Rubbermaid, can circumvent the adversities associated with public funding, ultimately allowing relationships and academic activities to be free, productive, and effective,” Bowen said.
Truett-McConnell’s biology faculty wants “to develop academically competent, morally grounded, and insatiably excited Christian biologists,” Bowen added. “The inherently rigorous nature of this vision requires up-to-date equipment and techniques. Rubbermaid has made part of this vision a reality while allowing maintenance of our roots and core values as an institution.”
###
Vicky Kaniaru is senior staff writer at Truett-McConnell College.
Return to News Archive