The creation of HC*EXCELL was triggered by a gift of $50,000 established by Dr. Kojiro Yamaoka, chairman of the Tuff Torq Corporation, at the plant dedication on April 20, 1990. The $50,000 was given to endow higher education scholarships in math and/or science for Hamblen County students.
This endowment inspired an effort to encourage other companies and entities to contribute to education. Ernie Walker Ed.D., then superintendent of Hamblen County Schools, Takao Ogashita, then president of Tuff Torq Corporation, and Dwight Nelson incorporated the Hamblen County Foundation for Educational Excellence and Achievement (HC*EXCELL), and apply for 501 (c)(3), status with the Internal Revenue Service. Upon its incorporation and acceptance by the IRS HC*EXCELL was established as Hamblen County’s education foundation. |
HC*Excell 2008 Benefactors
The HC*EXCELL Board of Directors would like to recognize our contributors who allow us to sustain and grow educational excellence and achievement in Hamblen County. Updated List of Benefactors Coming Soon!
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