Georgia Piedmont Technical College has received a donation of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment (valued at $250,000) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The General Studies Division of the College was able to acquire the equipment under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology and Innovation Act of 1980, which promotes "technological innovation for the achievement of national economic, environmental, and social goals, and for other purposes."

The donation will enable GPTC to further develop coursework in the
Natural Sciences Department and enhance its STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs.

"By actively seeking partnerships such as this one, the College is demonstrating to our students, funding agencies and the communities in which we serve that we are committed to
providing highly skilled employees for the STEM-related industries," said Dr. Jabari Simana, GPTC president.

"The hands-on experience our students will receive using this research-grade laboratory equipment will make them more marketable as they graduate from GPTC and enter into STEM careers."

Donated items include high-tech equipment such as incubators, a subzero freezer, a centrifuge, and a high-performance liquid chromatography machine.