2022 Fundraiser Received More Than $62,000 in Donations
(Lake Charles, Louisiana – December 15, 2022)
At it’s annual “What’s Up SOWELA?” event, the Lake Charles-based technical and community college honored CITGO and Port of Lake Charles with the “Outstanding Community Partner” Awards. The annual awards are given out by SOWELA to Southwest Louisiana businesses who support the college’s mission and engagement to help build the area’s workforce. This year’s “What’s Up SOWELA?” fundraiser raised more than $62,000 to support SOWELA’s mission.
“A huge part of SOWELA’s success is our ability to create strong business/industry partnerships that provide benefits for our students, faculty, staff and give our partners access to quality training programs/services that help them achieve their missions,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “Being able to recognize our community partners for their contributions to SOWELA’s success is truly an honor and we are grateful for the support given to us by CITGO and The Port of Lake Charles.”
In addition to the “Outstanding Community Partner” Awards, SOWELA honored Nursing student, Whitney Broussard with the “I Am Louisiana’s Future” Award. This award is given by the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS) Foundation and recognizes the accomplishments of an outstanding student enrolled in an LCTCS school.
“What’s Up SOWELA?” is the school’s largest fundraising event of the school year. The event started in 2017 and to date has raised more than $300,000.
Currently, Spring 2023 registration is now open for all interested individuals who want to enroll at SOWELA for any of its dozens of academic programs at all four of the community college’s locations in Southwest Louisiana. SOWELA is currently offering online, hybrid and in-person options dependent on course availability and requirements. SOWELA’s main campus is in Lake Charles with sites in Jennings, Oakdale and the recently acquired Lamar Salter Campus in Leesville.
Spring semester courses begin Tuesday, January 17. Students can apply at our How to Enroll page.
Currently, scholarships of $500 are available for new students on a first come, first served basis in the following programs: Accounting, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Chemical Laboratory Technology, Digital Arts and Communication, Information Systems Technology, Outdoor Power Equipment Technology, Surgical Technology, Vehicle Maintenance Technology and Welding (at SOWELA Oakdale and Jennings locations). Additional scholarships and financial aid are also available for those that qualify.
For more information or to apply online, visit our How to Enroll page.. Anyone needing additional assistance can contact onestop@sowela.edu.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, online, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for 80 years and has locations in Jennings, Lake Charles, Leesville and Oakdale, Louisiana.
