Evonik’s Mobile, Alabama, Site Donates $50,000 To Five Educational Institutions

Specialty chemical company Evonik, one of the top employers in the Mobile area, today announced $50,000 in donations to five local educational institutions, continuing a tradition of community support that began four decades ago.

“We salute Evonik for being an outstanding Partner in Education supporting school educational initiatives, career technical education programs and learning experiences provided at the Environmental Center,” said Martha Peek, Superintendent Mobile County Public School System. “Evonik is an active Partner in Education, providing resources through volunteer efforts and financial contributions positively impacting the learning experiences for students at all grade levels in the Mobile County Public School System. Through this partnership, Evonik supports pathways to learning that inspire and motivate students to become engaged learners who meet academic goals and graduate career- and college-ready.”

Bonnie Tully, Vice President, Evonik Degussa Corporation and Mobile Site Manager, said it is critical young people today receive as much assistance as they can in school because they are the next generation of leaders. “We consider it an important part of our social responsibility and corporate citizenship to give back to our communities in a meaningful way. At Evonik, we continually emphasize education. The students of today are the scientists and researchers of tomorrow.”

Tom Bates, President, Evonik Degussa Corporation, added that Evonik continues its strong commitment to education in the Mobile area. “We want to help further develop some of the best minds of the next generation,” said Bates. “Education is essential for any business, especially for a science-oriented company such as Evonik. Without science, many of the products, conveniences and medicines – which help society - would not exist."

At a ceremony at the Environmental Studies Center at 6101 Girby Road, Evonik donated $10,000 each to:

• Bryant Career Technical Center. The donation will be used to buy items including safety supplies, digital multimeters and fund a year-end senior recognition event.
• Burrough's Elementary School. Evonik’s contribution will go towards science lab development, student desktops and other equipment.
• Environmental Studies Center. The contribution will be used to build a hands-on display at the entrance of the main building, science fair competition awards and various wildlife cage restoration projects.
• Hollinger's Island Elementary. The donation will be used to upgrade the library, buy books, computers, math skills equipment and risers for school assembly events.
• Theodore High School. The funds will be allocated to the German-American student exchange program, academic teams sponsorship events and awards, student performance recognition events and awards, and Teacher of the Year recognition.

Attending the donation ceremony were Tully; Randy Rogers, Manager, Communications and Public Relations for Evonik’s Mobile site; Dr. Julia Nelson, Principal, Burroughs Elementary; Thomas Reed, Administrator, and Chris Rogers, Instructor, Bryant Vocational Center; Ms. Desiree Bishop, Director, Environmental Studies Center, Ms. Debra Tolbert, Principal, Hollinger's Island Elementary; and Mr. Ronnie Rowell, Principal Theodore High School.

According to Randy Rogers, others participating in the event included Evonik “Partner-In-Education” school coordinators: Susan Embry - Hollinger's Island Elementary School and Burroughs Elementary School; Leigh Marchant - Theodore High School; Perry Bumpers - Bryant Career Technical Center, and Ed Finch and Bob Ridgeway - Environmental Studies Center.

For additional information about Evonik in North America, please visit our website: www.evonik.com/north-america.