The Diverse Power Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to THINC Academy in February. At the presentation were, from left, front, Diverse Power CFO Wade Hall, THINC Board Chair Renae Willis, Diverse Power Executive Assistant Lisa Booth, THINC student Baylie Cummings, THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle, Diverse Power Foundation Chairman Gordon Cone and THINC teacher Christopher Lee; middle, Teachers Lee Gary, John Stadler, Joe Sumner and Jamie Briggs and THINC receptionist Robin Morris; back, teachers Sue Forrest, Laura Lee Pike and Candace Buchanan; and THINC Workforce Development Manager Carrie Brkich.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/02/web1_THINC-College-and-Career-Aademy.jpgThe Diverse Power Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to THINC Academy in February. At the presentation were, from left, front, Diverse Power CFO Wade Hall, THINC Board Chair Renae Willis, Diverse Power Executive Assistant Lisa Booth, THINC student Baylie Cummings, THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle, Diverse Power Foundation Chairman Gordon Cone and THINC teacher Christopher Lee; middle, Teachers Lee Gary, John Stadler, Joe Sumner and Jamie Briggs and THINC receptionist Robin Morris; back, teachers Sue Forrest, Laura Lee Pike and Candace Buchanan; and THINC Workforce Development Manager Carrie Brkich.

Submitted | Diverse Power

John Stadler, engineering teacher, and THINC students Jacob Hawkins, center, and Parker Railey demonstrate an engineering activity, one of several studies paths offered at THINC College & Career Academy.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/02/web1_Thinc-students-at-work.jpgJohn Stadler, engineering teacher, and THINC students Jacob Hawkins, center, and Parker Railey demonstrate an engineering activity, one of several studies paths offered at THINC College & Career Academy.

Submitted | Diverse Power

LaGRANGE — The Diverse Power Foundation recently presented THINC College & Career Academy with a $50,000 check. The funds will go toward creating and equipping a science lab to complement the academy’s STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — program.

Part of the Troup County School System, the LaGrange-based charter school opened in August 2015 with the goal of preparing high school graduates who are work-savvy as they head off to college or into the workforce.

Career pathways at THINC include business and technology, mechatronics/engineering, energy/engineering, engineering drafting and design, health sciences and more. Personalized instruction is incorporated through internships and with dual/college credit opportunities. The school currently is open to 11th and 12th graders in Troup’s public high schools and plans to include 9th and 10th graders within five years.

“We feel that THINC, which serves all three Troup County high schools, is a worthy cause,” says Diverse Power Foundation Chairman Gordon Cone. “Many fine organizations already have contributed and we are proud to join in this community effort.”

The goals of THINC are in line with the foundation’s mission to enhance education in the communities served by Diverse Power, according to Cone. Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million in educational grants and student scholarships, thanks to donations from Diverse Power members who round up their monthly power bills.

“Along with the monetary support, we value our relationship with Diverse Power and appreciate the impact they have on our students,” said THINC CEO Kathy Carlisle.

Added Diverse Power President/CEO Wayne Livingston: “By making this gift to THINC, Diverse Power pledges its support to the charter school and looks forward to the impact these grant dollars can have on countless students.”

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