Battelle donates $3.25M to establish STEM center at CBC

Battelle will donate $3.25 million to Columbia Basin College to establish a new learning center focused on science, technology, engineering and math disciplines in its largest philanthropic gift ever in the Tri-Cities. 

The donation is the latest effort by the nonprofit private company to further STEM learning in the Tri-Cities since it began operating Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 60 years ago, according to a news release. 

“This gift aligns closely with Battelle’s mission to leverage science and technology for the betterment of society,” Lou Von Thaer, president and CEO of Battelle, said in a statement. “The partnerships established through this Community STEM Learning Center will build on CBC’s whole-family engagement model to meet the community’s needs and encourage students to pursue the essential STEM careers of tomorrow.”