| Shell Foundation Supports SJC Lab; Scholarships Created For Process Technology Students
Shell Oil Company Foundation has donated $15,000 to upgrade the San Jacinto
College process technology laboratory on the central campus. The facility, which
simulates a plant environment, was built in cooperation with area petrochemical
companies.
The grant will provide leading-edge lab equipment, such as a gas chromatograph
system for demonstrating how process analyzers relate to the distillation
process.
The contribution for lab equipment accompanies other assistance that the Shell
Foundation and Shell Deer Park provide San Jacinto College.
"While Shell has supported many of our fundraising endeavors, Shell employees
are involved in other areas," said Brenda Hellyer, executive vice president for
institutional advancement, San Jacinto College Foundation.
"Shell Deer Park employees are members of a focus group to determine how San
Jacinto College and the refining/chemical industry can foster more meaningful
collaborations," Hellyer said. "Shell Deer Park employees also serve on our
advisory board, providing counsel for our process technology curriculum. Shell
is an outstanding educational partner."
The Shell Foundation donation coincides with an endowed scholarship at San
Jacinto College established by Barbara Glave in honor of her late husband, Willy
Glave, former Shell Deer Park Chemical Plant staff engineer.
"Willy would have been extremely proud of a scholarship that helps others
advance their careers,” said Glave. “This scholarship is an appropriate
memorial focusing on two areas he dearly loved, higher education and Shell Deer
Park."
Barbara Glave’s donation of $12,500 will give financial aid to students pursuing
an associate of applied science degree in process technology. The scholarships
assist high potential candidates to meet industry educational guidelines and the
development of a qualified workforce for the area’s chemical, refining and
petrochemical facilities. A process technology degree is becoming a prerequisite
for job candidates seeking positions as chemical lab technicians and operators.
Willy Glave, who lost his fight to cancer on Dec. 4, 1999, was tireless in
helping operators understand the technical aspects of the Shell Deer Park
facility, according to James Rhame, asset development manager.
"He had such a great relationship with the operators. I often saw him mentoring
operators and young engineers on weekends or after hours," said Rhame. "In
fact, he was nicknamed 'The Professor.' One could walk around the Olefins
operations building and see Willy’s hand drawings on most of the white boards."
Throughout his life, Glave advocated equal educational opportunities and
breaking down learning barriers. Therefore, the memorial scholarship is
available on a non-discriminatory basis to all registered process technology
majors attending San Jacinto College, including foreign students.
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