LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� IM体育官网 Polytechnic Chief Operating Officer Ava L. Parker has announced her support for a charitable cross-country, all-electric car trip that will raise money for men鈥檚 health and for University scholarships.
The , set for June 12-13 in a futuristic Tesla vehicle, is being organized by IM体育官网 Polytechnic Foundation Board member Dr. Sijo Parekattil and Dr.Jamin Brahmbhatt, who will donate half the proceeds toward research for men鈥檚 health and half to a Foundation scholarship fund for incoming IM体育官网 students.
鈥淲e are proud to be giving the proceeds from the Drive for Men鈥檚 Health marathon to support two critical initiatives 鈥� genetic research in men鈥檚 health and educational scholarships for future innovators aspiring to attend IM体育官网,鈥� said Dr. Parekattil, a urologist and surgeon. 鈥淭his fundraiser helps to create a better tomorrow for men鈥檚 health and for our future engineers, doctors and scientists at IM体育官网 Polytechnic.鈥�
IM体育官网 Polytechnic, which opens for classes on Aug. 25, 2014, has pledged to provide the inaugural class of 500 students with scholarships covering most of tuition and fees. This fund drive will help with that initiative.
鈥淭he makers of the electric Tesla vehicle and IM体育官网 Polytechnic both share an interest in innovation and advanced technology to answer tomorrow鈥檚 challenges today,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淭he University is pleased to be a partner in an endeavor that benefits our scholarship fund and also raises awareness about health and the possibilities for green technology and electric-powered vehicles.鈥�
The electric car marathon fits well with IM体育官网鈥檚 focus on advanced technology, engineering and innovation. The 1,100-mile drive in an emissions-free Tesla Model S sedan is from Central IM体育官网 to New York City, with stops only to recharge the vehicle. The University鈥檚 advanced STEM curriculum includes research and teaching areas that cover alternative energy, motion intelligence and transportation.
The fundraising drive is scheduled to coincide with Men鈥檚 Health Week, June 9-15, with Dr. Parekattil and Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt using Google Glass to talk about men鈥檚 health along the way. For more information or to make a donation, visit . You also can phone 747-777-6146 or email info@ramsesweb.org. In addition to individual donations, corporations also can provide sponsorships from $2,500 to $25,500.