LEVELLAND, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) – The following is a news release from South Plains College:
Oxy Permian in Levelland donated $5,000 for two scholarships for South Plains College students.
Kyle Clymo, Industrial Manufacturing/Emerging Technologies major, and John McWilliams, Electrical and Power Transmission major, are the scholarship recipients. Clymo and McWilliams are both from Lubbock.
According to Matt Swain, Oxy decided to award the scholarships to assist students who will be able to get jobs within the industry. The winners were chosen following an interview session with six potential candidates.
“We looked for students who are trainable and willing to learn,” Swain said. “We also looked at students who have held jobs while in school.
“It has always been our company’s policy to promote from within,” he said. “As long as the students continue to work hard and then join us, we have great opportunities for employment for whatever kind of career they’re interested in.”
McWilliams is a non-traditional student who served three years in the United States Marines. He returned to college after working at various jobs.
“I finally quit my job so I could devote all my time to school,” McWilliams said. “Oxy has made it possible for me to be able to support myself while I’m finishing school. I plan to come back and try to get an internship with them when I finish.”
Oxy is working to increase its recruitment efforts at SPC. In the fall, Oxy conducted a Career Day visit to the Levelland campus. Alan Marcom, South Plains Asset Manager for Occidental’s Permian Enhanced Oil Recovery business, said Oxy in a company that allows its employees to excel in any area of interest.
“I started at the bottom and worked my way up into finance and accounting – that was nearly 30 years ago,” said Marcom. “We are glad to have this connection to South Plains College so that we can give options for students in this industry.”
(News release from South Plains College)