4C Academy in Albany names STEM Gym for late founding board member Chandrakant Kuntawala

ALBANY – The Monday unveiling of the plaque dedicating the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy’s STEM Gym to the late Chandrakant Kuntawala may have displayed his name on a permanent marker, but for those who knew him, the businessman’s passion for extending educational opportunities had never been under wraps.

Kuntawala, who was known as “Chandu,” worked with defense contractor Booz Hamilton Allen and also was the 4C Board chairman and chair of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. He died in June 23 last year.

During the Monday dedication ceremony for the science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) facility, friends and family members remembered his support of education. Kuntawala was the founding board chair of the 4C Academy and worked to develop relationships between the school, area industries and the community.

“Nobody but nobody Chandu knew got away without a tour of 4C and the wonderful things they do,” friend Wayne Ryther told the audience. “He would talk about education and getting everybody in the space of learning. We talked about a career academy. We talked about the labs you see around here (4C). We talked about the robotics.”

The STEM Gym is the site where teams of robot builders from 4C as well as area high schools, including Calhoun and Lee counties, Baconton Charter and other schools, can put their creations through the paces. Younger students also use the facility.

Each year robotics teams are tasked with designing a robot that can perform outlined tasks, such as sinking a ball in a basket or other accomplishments.

“Other schools have gyms for basketball and other stuff, but we have one for robotics,” Brianna McCoy, a rising senior at Dougherty High School, who has participated on her school’s robotics team, said. “It takes a lot to build a robot. It takes a lot of time and facilities, and it takes a lot of money. We spend a lot of hours here, so it means a lot.

“Not only is the STEM Gym an important place for us, it’s important for the whole community.”

Students work as team on assigned projects, learning things like problem-solving skills, collaboration skills and even patience, McCoy said.

“Ultimately, the STEM Gym will be the place students will reminisce about years down the road,” she said. “Most importantly, we’ll remember it took place in the Chandrakant STEM Gym. I’m excited to be here today to show what this room means to the students.”

The STEM facility bearing Kuntawala’s name is an “appropriate” choice, 4C CEO Chris Hatcher told the audience.

“It is so appropriate that we remember our good friend Chandu Kuntawala with this dedication today,” he said. “What occurs in this STEM Gym is what Chandu stood for.

“Another thing he really stood for is diversity. This room brings about diversity in so many ways. Fourteen different (student) pathways spend some time in here. Students are learning skills, problem-solving skills. He just really stood for industry and community partnerships. We’re really able to do that in this room.”

Among family members in attendance were Kuntawala’s daughters, Meera Kuntawala and Geeta Kuntawala.

“It’s an incredible honor, really,” Meera Kuntawala told a Herald reporter following the unveiling of the plaque bearing her father’s name. “Those who knew him know there is no better way to honor him than to have a piece of his soul here.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]