RHI Legacy Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to Support Isothermal’s Dr. Bobby F. England Health and Sciences Center
By: Blakely Hollifield
Published: October 09, 2025
SPINDALE, N.C. (October 9, 2025) - Isothermal Community College has received a $1 million grant from the RHI Legacy Foundation to support the ongoing construction of the Dr. Bobby F. England Health & Sciences Center. This generous contribution will help fund construction, equipment, and technology for the state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a cornerstone for healthcare education in the region.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership and support of the RHI Legacy Foundation,” said Dr. Margaret Annunziata, President of Isothermal Community College. “This investment strengthens our ability to prepare students for in-demand healthcare careers while meeting the needs of our local workforce. It’s partnerships like this that truly change lives, helping our students build meaningful, family-sustaining careers while improving the overall health of our community.”
Kerry Giles, Chairperson of the RHI Legacy Foundation, said the foundation is proud to continue its investment in the community’s future. “Supporting healthcare education aligns directly with our mission,” Giles said. “By partnering with Isothermal, we’re helping to ensure that students have access to high-quality training right here at home. These graduates will go on to make a lasting impact in the hospitals, clinics, and emergency services that serve all of us.”
The $36 million Health & Sciences Center is being funded primarily by a $30 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly. The 55,000-square-foot building will feature advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms, and collaborative learning spaces designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare settings. Groundbreaking for the facility took place on July 14, 2025.
Through the Isothermal Community College Foundation, community members, organizations, and alumni are invited to contribute to the project. A current matching gift opportunity allows donors to double the impact of their contributions, with every dollar matched up to $1 million.
“This grant from RHI Legacy Foundation is a tremendous boost for our college and our community,” said Dr. Thad Harrill, Chief Development Officer at Isothermal. “We’re thankful for their commitment and excited to invite others to join in supporting a project that will benefit students and strengthen local healthcare for generations to come.”
To learn more about the Dr. Bobby F. England Health & Sciences Center or to make a contribution, visit isothermal.edu/college-foundation or contact Dr. Thad Harrill at 828-395-1624.