Representatives from LAGCOE, The SLCC Foundation and Community Foundation of Acadiana
at the LAGCOE Endowed Professorship Check Presentation Ceremony, Wednesday, March 18, 2015.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2015
LAGCOE provides investment for oil & gas programs at SLCC
LAFAYETTE, LA – Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition, LAGCOE, is investing in the upcoming workforce through a new endowment at South Louisiana Community College (SLCC).The $60,000 gift will be used to recruit and retain instructors in the oil and gas programs at SLCC. SLCC will seek a state match of $40,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Endowed Professorship Program, bringing the endowment total to $100,000.
“We are deeply grateful to LAGCOE and its members for supporting our college with this generous gift,” Dr. Natalie Harder, SLCC chancellor said. “Our college offers programs that are related directly to the local oil and gas industry, and the increased faculty strength provided by this new professorship will enable more students to develop hands-on skills and knowledge that will prepare them to continue moving the oil and gas industry forward.”
The donation is part of the LAGCOE Education Fund, a fund at Community Foundation of Acadiana, (CFA). Established in 2012, the LAGCOE Education Fund is used to expand LAGCOE’s organizational purpose of fostering public education for and about the function and services of the oil and gas industry. Donations to the fund are welcomed and appreciated as they support numerous programs.
The Future Energy Professional program and the Future Energy Professionals Scholarship, recognizes the importance of collegiate majors from disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The scholarships were created in an effort to attract professional talent capable of maintaining a high level of technical proficiency within the oil and gas industry and are awarded to goal-oriented students planning to enroll into a Louisiana College in pursuit of a STEM-centric Degree.
Other projects and grants from the fund include the support of University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Engineering’s Engineering and Technology Week events, Energy Leadership Academy scholarships in support of workforce development, industry educational presentations, promotion of STEM education, public outreach, career fairs, and more.
“LAGCOE is thrilled to continue our support of the oil and gas industry through the establishment of this endowed professorship at SLCC. Even in difficult times a qualified, well trained workforce is critical to long-term industry success,” Angela Cring, LAGCOE executive director said.
“We are grateful to the industry companies and volunteers who support the LAGCOE Education Fund through participation and sponsorship of events such as the LAGCOE Sporting Clays Tournament hosted by the Young Professionals of LAGCOE (YPL) as well as those who work tirelessly to put on and exhibit in the LAGCOE show every other year.”
Significantly supporting the LAGCOE Education Fund is Young Professionals of LAGCOE (YPL), a group of individuals from the oil and gas industry with the desire to take action to see the industry grow. A key part of YPL’s mission is to act as ambassadors of the LAGCOE Education Fund, volunteering time and talents to produce programs and generate funding. All proceeds of the LAGCOE Sporting Clays tournament, which provides a unique event where operator and service company professionals work together while enjoying the sport of sporting clays in a safe and fun atmosphere, are donated to the fund.
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LAGCOE will be held October 27-29, 2015 at The Cajundome & Convention Center in Lafayette, LA. Celebrating 60 years of continuous operation since 1955, LAGCOE is a first-rate exposition where world class oil and gas industry companies display the latest equipment and services and technical sessions address pertinent issues from across the globe. In 2013, LAGCOE welcomed 416 exhibitors and 17,000 attendees from 47 states and 43 countries. Learn more at LAGCOE.com.