Donations
2023
The SOWELA Foundation recently received $10,000 from Westlake Chemical to support industrial program scholarships and the SOWELA Cares Fund, a fund that helps support SOWELA students in need. On hand for the donation are (left to right) Westlake Chemical Principal, Community and Governmental Affairs, Joe Andrepont and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
“SOWELA does a very good job in supporting and preparing students to enter the job market in Southwest Louisiana. Westlake is proud to help support the education efforts that SOWELA is putting forth,” said Joe Andrepont, Principal Community and Governmental Affairs for Westlake.
The SOWELA Foundation recently announced a $75,000 donation from Southwestern Energy for program scholarships in Machine Tool Technology, Process Technology, Industrial Instrumentation Technology, and Industrial Electrical Technology. On hand for the donation (left to right) is Southwestern Energy Community Relations Advisor Paul Pratt, SOWELA Students Nathan Palombo, Michael Camel, Tobi Dunham and Graham Fawcett, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Southwestern Energy Senior Government Affairs Manager, Tommy Clark and Area Director Sean Burke, SOWELA Students Keagen Ellender, Seth Voisin and Ramon Zapata, and SOWELA School of Industrial Technology Dean Richard Louviere.
The SOWELA Foundation recently received a $12,000 donation from AT&T to support scholarships for Fiber Optic training. On hand for the donation is (left to right) AT&T Business Fiber Sales Executive Wesley Royer, Retail Store Manager Brett Heath, Retail Store Manager Andrew Hill, Marketing Lead Ashley Broussard, Calcasieu Parish Police Juror Tony Guillory, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, AT&T State President David Aubrey, Retail Store Manager Brooke Fontenot, Regional Director Levar Greenhouse, SOWELA Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Dr. David LaFargue, AT&T Network Area Manager Shane Stacey and Network Manager Faleel Ali.
The SOWELA Foundation recently received a $50,000 donation from Mark and Rebecca Boniol benefiting a number of areas, including presenting and entertainment sponsor for Taste of SOWELA and student scholarships. On hand for the donation are SOWELA Foundation Board Member and Vice President of Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Rebecca Boniol and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
The SOWELA Foundation recently received a $3,500 donation from the LNG Export Engineering and Construction Conference for School of Industrial Technology scholarships. On hand for the donation are SOWELA Interim Dean for the School of Industrial Technology Richard Louviere and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
2022
CITGO Petroleum Corporation recently donated $25,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to support Machine Tool Technology equipment and sponsor What’s Up, SOWELA. On hand for the donation (left to right) is Anne Doss, Manager Lake Charles Human Resources; SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall; Sterling Neblett, VP and GM CITGO Lake Charles Refinery; Ryan Vining, GM Operations and Maintenance; and Jason Dupuis, Training Manager.
Entergy Louisiana recently presented the SOWELA Foundation with a $10,000 check for Presenting Sponsor of What’s Up, SOWELA. On hand for the donation (left to right) is Calvin Thibodeaux, Entergy Customer Service Manager II, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, and Datis Christophe, Entergy Customer Service Manager I. What’s Up, SOWELA is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year and raises much-needed funds for student scholarships.
L’Auberge Casino Resort donates $5,993.88 to the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation. Each month L’Auberge Casino Resort guests contribute their extra change to casino floor donation boxes. The contributions are collected and matched up to $1,000 by the resort and then donated to a local non-profit organization. On hand for the donation was L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Sarah Fontenot, Community Relations Partner, Kevin McCarthy, Executive Chef and SOWELA Foundation Board Member, as well as SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Entergy Louisiana recently donated $10,000 to the SOWELA Foundation for its Entergy Louisiana NOW Scholarship. Four $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to students in Process Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Industrial Instrumentation Technology or Industrial Electrical Technology.
Jacob Courville with Entergy stated, “Entergy Power Generation has seen a large number of craft-level positions filled with candidates from SOWELA who have been valuable contributors quickly to the organization. In many cases those employees have progressed and become title leaders. Entergy wanted the scholarships to draw attention in the community to the life-changing impact a degree from SOWELA can make!”
On hand for the donation were several leaders with Entergy Louisiana, including Entergy Louisiana CEO, Phillip May, Vice President Power Plant Operations, Jason Willis, and Vice President Customer Service, Yovanka Daniel as well as SOWELA leaders and Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Cheniere Energy Inc presented a check for $50,000 to the SOWELA Foundation for the College’s Machine Tool Technology program. On hand for the donation is Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Paula Hellums, Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, and from the Cheniere Sabine Pass Facility Manager, Asset Training, Chad Dearien and Manager, Local Government and Community Affairs, Amy Miller.
“We are honored to continue our long standing partnership with SOWELA by investing $50,000 for their Machine Tool Technology Program,” said Dearien. “SOWELA’s various programs are essential for preparing individuals for the workforce and has truly made a difference in the lives of so many in Southwest Louisiana.”
Phillips 66 generously donated $25,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to fund scholarships and program support at the College. On hand for the donation is (left to right) Phillips 66 Public Relations Director Megan Hartman, Operations Manager Jim Baron, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Phillips 66 HR Manager Andrew Sona, and Phillips 66 Site Training Lead Jeremy Donovan.
2021
Cameron LNG recently donated $20,000 to the SOWELA Foundation for its Cameron LNG Endowed Scholarship. SOWELA students in Process Technology, Industrial Instrumentation Technology and Industrial Electrical Technology are eligible to apply for the scholarship. On hand for the donation is Cameron LNG External Relations Manager Stevie Trahan and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Through the generosity of donors in the community like L’Auberge Casino Resort, the SOWELA Foundation is able to provide scholarship funds to more than 430 qualified students annually. SOWELA does not participate in the Federal Student Loan program which is why scholarship support is so important to student access and success.
Cheniere generously donated $60,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to fund mechanical equipment maintenance at the College. On hand for the donation is (left to right) Asset Training Manager Chad Dearien, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall and Cheniere Local Government & Community Affairs Associate Amy Miller.
Enbridge donated $5,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to create the Enbridge Industry Awareness Scholarship for students in Process Technology, Welding and Machine Tool Technology. On hand for the donation (left to right) is SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Enbridge Senior Advisor Erin Casey, Enbridge Area Manager Donald Doucet, and Area Supervisor Kevin Corbello.
The SOWELA Foundation received a generous $10,000 donation from the Chennault International Airshow. The donation will help fund STEM education in the form of scholarships. On hand to accept the donation for the Foundation is SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall (center) with Chennault International Airport Executive Director Kevin Melton (left), and Airshow Director Mary Jo Bayles (right).
The Cajun Navy Foundation recently donated $5,500 to the SOWELA Foundation for the Workforce Solutions Construction Program. Pictured for the donation (left to right) is SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Cajun Navy Foundation President Rob Gaudet, and SOWELA Director of Business and Industry Services Judy McCleary.
Northrop Grumman donated $35,000 to fund five scholarships in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Process Technology, Industrial Instrumentation Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, and Machine Tool Technology. On hand for the donation (left to right) is SOWELA Foundation Board Member and Northrop Grumman Site Manager Michael Flatt, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, and Director, Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center, Northrop Grumman, Eric Price.
The Gene Haas Foundation recently donated $12,500 to the SOWELA Foundation for Machine Tool Technology scholarships for CNC training. Accepting the donation on behalf of the Foundation are (left to right): Machine Tool Technology students Jordan Solieau, Jason Cos, Dalton Fontenot; Machine Tool Technology Instructor Randall Kimbro; School of Transportation and Applied Technology Dean Dr. William Mayo; Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall; Vince Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Paula Hellums; and Machine Tool Technology students Nathan Drott, Gabriel LeJeune, and Michael McLaughlin.
2020
Lake Charles Toyota recently presented a check to the SOWELA Foundation for $5,000 for the dealership’s Vehicle Maintenance Technology Scholarship. The scholarship provides low- to moderate-income students enrolled in the Vehicle Maintenance Technology program financial support to pursue an automotive-industry career. This donation brings Lake Charles Toyota’s contribution to the SOWELA Foundation to more than $50,000 in scholarships. Further, almost 15% of Lake Charles Toyota’s Service Center employees are graduates of the SOWELA Vehicle Maintenance program.
Pictured in the attached photo (left to right): School of Transportation and Applied Technology Dean Dr. William Mayo, Lake Charles Toyota General Manager Corey Tarver, and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Cameron LNG donated $15,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to support their endowed and NOW scholarship programs. Pictured (left to right) is SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Cameron LNG Human Resources Representative Kayla Powers and Cameron LNG External Relations Manager Stevie Trahan.
Officials with South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) present a check to their sister school, SOWELA, for $5,000 for the Hurricane Laura Relief Fund. The donation will assist cash-strapped students, faculty, and employees at SOWELA Technical Community College, which was badly damaged when the devastating hurricane hit Lake Charles in late August. (L-R) SLCC Foundation Executive Director Lana Fontenot, SLCC Interim Chancellor Dr. Vincent June, and SOWELA’s Institutional Advancement Executive Director Kelly Pepper.
Entergy Customer Service Manager II Margaret Harris (left) presented the SOWELA Foundation with a check for $10,000 to support college scholarships. On hand to accept the check is SOWELA Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Kelly Pepper and Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Cameron LNG donated $15,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to establish a $12,500 endowed scholarship and $2,500 NOW Scholarship. Pictured (left to right) is Cameron LNG Human Resource Representative Kayla Powers and External Relations Manager Stevie Trahan; SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Paula Hellums, and School of Industrial Technology Interim Dean Richard Louviere.
2019
Westlake Chemical donated $10,000 to the SOWELA Foundation for Process Technology scholarships. On hand for the donation are (front row left to right) SOWELA Foundation Board Member Etta Pete, Westlake Chemical Vice President – Operations Region One Wayne Ahrens, Plant Manager Lake Charles North and South Plants Curtis Brescher, and Principal – Public and Governmental Affairs Joe Andrepont, SOWELA Foundation Board Members Martin Guillory and Hardtner Klump (back row left to right) SOWELA Foundation President Don Morris and SOWELA Foundation Board Members James Sudduth, Fil Bordelon, Taylor Alexander, Dan Frick, Todd Clemons, and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Phillips 66 Lake Charles Refinery donated $20,000 to establish the Phillips 66 Now Scholarship. On hand for the donation are from Phillips 66 Plant Manager – Lake Charles Complex Richard G. Harbison, Public Relations Director Megan Hartman and SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall.
Mark and Rebecca Boniol donated $5,000 to the SOWELA Foundation to establish a NOW Scholarship for students who complete an internship at Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep – Lake Charles. On hand for the donation (from left to right) is School of Transportation & Applied Technology Dean William Mayo, SOWELA Foundation Vice President Stuart Moss, SOWELA Foundation President Don Morris, Vice President of Mark Dodge Rebecca Boniol, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Monty Mills of Mark Dodge, SOWELA Vehicle Maintenance Instructor Tim McCarty, and Robert Griffith of Mark Dodge.
2018
Bolton Ford and Bob Cain present a $10,000 check to the SOWELA Foundation to establish the Carolyn Cain Endowed Accounting Technology Scholarship in memory of Mrs. Cain, a long-time accountant with Bolton Ford. Pictured from left to right: Kelly Goodman, Iris Bolton, King Bolton, Bob Cain, SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall, SOWELA Financial Aid Director Allison Dering, SOWELA Foundation Board Chair Bill Hankins, and Jordan LeLeux with Bolton Ford.
Paul Tessier (middle left), Union Pacific Railroad Public Affairs, presents SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall (middle right), SOWELA Foundation Chair Bill Hankins (far right) and SOWELA Foundation Board Member Stuart Moss (far left) with a donation of $15,000. The funds will be used for tuition assistance for STEPS students, scholarships and ACCUPLACER testing at SOWELA Technical Community College.
Capital One Lake Charles Market President Fil Bordelon (right) presents SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall and SOWELA Foundation Liaison Marianne White with a donation for $10,000 to the Marianne White Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund was established in honor of Ms. White’s retirement from SOWELA Technical Community College in June.
SOWELA Foundation board members present a check for $10,000 for the Marianne White Endowed Scholarship fund to SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall and SOWELA Foundation Liaison Marianne White. Pictured left to right: Elizabeth McLaughlin, Golden Nugget; Hardtner Klump, The Investors Group of Louisiana, LLC; Dr. Aspinwall; Stuart Moss, Credit Services of Southwest Louisiana; Marianne White; Nora Popillion, Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino; Bill Hankins, Retired Hospital Executive; Don Morris, Bancorp South; Fil Bordelon, Capital One Bank. Not Pictured: Taylor Finchum Alexander, Edward Jones; Todd Clemons, Todd Clemons & Associates; Dan Frick, Financial Management Professionals; Michael Flatt, Northrop Grumman; Martin Guillory, Oak Park Middle School; Claude (Buddy) Leach, Sweetlake Land & Oil Co., LLC; Etta Pete, SWLA Sickle Cell Anemia, Inc.; James Sudduth, Sudduth & Associates.
Ryan Abell, President of the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club, and Vic Wukovits, incoming Rotary President, present a check for $15,000 to Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA Technical Community College, and Marianne White, SOWELA Foundation Liaison. The funds will be used to support student success through scholarship awards.
Michael Kane, Sasol’s Vice President of Operations Lake Charles West Plant, and Gina Jones, Sasol’s Learning and Development Manager, present a check for $10,000 to Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA Technical Community College. The contribution supports the SOWELA Foundation as Presenting Sponsor of the Flying Tigers Car Show and provides funding to the Sasol/Curt Eysink Endowed Scholarship.
Phillips 66 presents a check for $15,000 to the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation to provide scholarship support for students enrolled in Industrial Instrumentation Technology, Process Technology, and Welding programs. Phillips 66 is also a Chancellor’s Circle sponsor for the What’s Up, SOWELA? fundraiser in October. On hand for the donation is Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA, and Megan Hartman, Phillips 66 Public Relations Director, and Richard G. Harbison, Plant Manager, of Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex.
2017
Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA Technical Community College accepts a donation of $5,000 to the SOWELA Foundation as a Chancellor’s Circle Sponsor of What’s Up, SOWELA? The event is held to raise funds to support student success through scholarship awards and enhancement, and to increase awareness of the college and its students, programs, and services. Presenting the check on behalf of CITGO is Dana Keel, Government and Public Affairs Manager.
Ken Francis, the Sales Center Manager of Lake Charles Coca Cola Bottling Company United, and Blaine Royer, the On-Premise Manager, present a check for $10,000 to Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA Technical Community College. The contribution establishes the Coca-Cola Bottling Company Endowed Scholarship through the SOWELA Foundation.
Jim and Jo Ann Beam donated $10,000 to the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation to establish the Jim and Jo Ann Beam Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship funds were matched dollar for dollar by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.