UCOR donates $50,000 in support of Roane State’s new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center

United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC, (UCOR) has donated $50,000 to Roane State Foundation in support of the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center, a new Roane State campus currently under construction in the heart of West Knoxville.

UCOR is the lead cleanup contractor for the Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. The company also recently gifted $40,000 to support two Roane State technical programs – Environmental Health Technology (EHT) and Chemical Engineering Technology (CET) – with upgraded equipment and student scholarships.

The Knox Regional Health Science Education Center is a 130,000-square-foot facility located across from Parkwest Medical Center on Sherrill Boulevard. It will house health science programs offered by both Roane State and TCAT Knoxville.

Once open, the center will replace Roane State’s current Knox County Center for Health Sciences and allow both colleges to significantly expand health science courses and programs.

“UCOR and Roane State enjoy a mutually beneficial partnership, and we see this new Center as aligned with our company’s community commitment goals – to continue supporting career opportunities that will benefit students across Roane County’s 10-county coverage area and across East Tennessee,” said UCOR President and CEO Ken Rueter.

Current Roane State programs to be housed in the new center include nursing, EMS, polysomnography, and respiratory therapy, with the college planning to add new programs such as cardiovascular technology, healthcare administration, ultrasound, and public health.

Additionally, the center will feature a large multi-purpose simulation center aimed at immersing students in real-world scenarios that elevate their training.

“This pledge moves us closer to our goal of ensuring all students have access to an excellent health science education,” said Scott Niermann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “We look forward to building on this strong partnership with UCOR as we prepare to welcome the first students through the doors of this new campus.”

The total estimated dollar amount for the project is $75 million. Roane State needs at least $7.5 million in private philanthropy to complete the project and sustain funding for students.

“As our fundraising campaign continues, we welcome the support of organizations and citizens across the region who value a healthy, thriving community,” Niermann added.

Roane State broke ground on the project in the summer of 2023 and plans to move into the facility this fall with classes beginning in the spring semester of 2026. More information about getting involved with the fundraising effort can be found online at thrive.roanestate.edu.