For the fourth consecutive year, a group of engineering scholars made their way to Martinsville, Virginia, for a peek behind the curtain into the world of window films.
Eleven FOSSI Scholars from North Carolina A&T State University — Camille Pair, Jillian Petty, 
Keturah West, Austin Dickens, Chase Parker, Chris Porter, Ethan Young, Jaylin Lomax, Mira Reynolds, Edmond McClure, and Ra'Niah Rogers — visited Eastman's Martinsville site, home to the world's largest window film manufacturing facility. The plant produces films for automotive, architectural, and electronic applications, and on this day, it became a living classroom.
Site Manager Jeanine Pastirik welcomed the scholars and set the tone for a day of open dialogue and genuine connection. After introductions and a company overview from Eastman FOSSI partners Ignacio Garcia and Ty'Ren Turner, the group gathered for lunch and a deep dive into Martinsville's Performance Films business, led by Daniel Keaton alongside Eastman Connect Resource Group representatives Venus Johnston and Sandy Penn.
The afternoon tour began at the site’s Fieldale Plant, where scholars watched metalizing, dye, and coating and laminating processes in full operation. From
there, a 15-minute shuttle took the group across town to the Rewind Department, where they suited up in protective gear and witnessed the final stages of film production, inspection, and packaging firsthand.
The day closed with remarks from Pastirik and a Q&A session that showcased exactly why this program matters. The scholars arrived with thoughtful questions that led to a robust and energizing discussion.
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders
“Just as in previous years, the Martinsville site looks forward to hosting the FOSSI Scholar tour and is especially proud of the talent and technical curiosity the students demonstrate," said Johnston. "Their genuine interest in Performance Films operations makes them a remarkable group of future leaders.”
Garcia echoed the sentiment: “I was really impressed by the students’ engagement and questions, and by their interest in sustainability and new technologies.”
Partnering for the future
Four years in, the Eastman-FOSSI partnership at Martinsville is more than an annual visit — it's a commitment to building a pipeline of diverse, curious, and capable engineers. For these scholars, a single day on site could spark a career. And for Eastman, each visit is a reminder of why investing in the next generation of technical talent is one of the most important things a company can do.
“When FOSSI launched, it set out with a bold mission: to remove barriers, expand access and open doors for talented students pursuing STEM degrees at HBCUs,” said Mark Costa, Eastman CEO and FOSSI Chairman. “From tackling climate challenges to enabling modern medicine and advancing manufacturing, the chemical industry is a place where STEM talent can shape the world. The connection between FOSSI scholars and the companies that champion this program strengthens the entire industry, and Eastman is proud to continue supporting the next generation.”
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