Chevron provides $10,000 for energy-related programs at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Because management at Chevron is so enthused about the quality of employees it recruits from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, they are always looking for ways to get more students in its “pipeline.”  As one the world’s largest integrated energy companies, with interests in both oil and gas, Chevron might seem too big to work with a relatively small technical college, but the company wants to hire more graduates from OSUIT and is donating $5,000 to the Natural Gas Compression program in OSUIT’s Heavy Vehicle and Equipment Institute (HEVi) and $5,000 to the Instrumentation program in Engineering Technologies.

Dwight Alworth, Operation Supervisor, Oklahoma Field Management Team, Chevron, says his company is happy to support the OSUIT programs through the gifts. “Twelve graduates have come in from this university to Chevron; five of those are employed by my organization.  I have had a direct hand in hiring three of those.  We’ve had equal success both on the instrumentation side and on the mechanical (HEVi) side, so we are very happy.  We look forward to continued opportunities to partner with this university.”

Alworth says what works well for Chevron is to hire graduates with practical, hands-on experience.  “Just looking around the facility today, the equipment that is being used in the classroom, the practical hands on approach with the simulators, and then the opportunities to have the internships – where we get to see these future potential employees in action, and they get an opportunity to see how Chevron works -- is the perfect environment for producing quality technicians.”

OSUIT’s Division Chair for Engineering Technologies, Mike Taylor, says Chevron’s donation will help expand his program. “It is going to allow us to do some things maybe we didn’t have the chance to do before, so that kind of investment on Chevron’s part will go a long way in helping train more students, not only for them but the whole natural gas industry.”

OSUIT’s Division Chair of Automotive and HEVi Technologies, Steve Doede, says his share of the Chevron gift will be used for professional development for faculty. “Since we have school year round, it is hard to find time to upgrade the personal knowledge of our faculty.  And certainly in these economic times, it is hard to find the money to send faculty to professional development, so that is what we are going to use this particular donation for.  Chevron is always one of those partners that anytime they see a need, they always step up to the plate, and they meet that need, and we really appreciate that.”

About Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology offers high-quality technical training in more than 20 technical professions, planned and guided with the support of leading companies, industries, and high technology firms. As a result, students learn the latest technical advances that meet the demanding needs of employers.

For more information call 918.293.4680 or 1.800.722.4471. Information also is available online at www.osuit.edu.