BASF donates $25,000 to SU for multi-purpose technology center

At a Southern University football game November 15, 2014, BASF presented the University with a $25,000 donation for the creation of a multi-media technology center. Pictured from left: Philip Smith Jr., advancement officer, SU System Foundation; Flandus McClinton Jr., acting chancellor, SU Baton Rouge; John McGee, BASF employee and member of BASF's SU Recruiting Team; Tamara Foster-Montgomery, director of Career Services, SU Baton Rouge; Tom Seagraves, BASF employee and executive sponsor of BASF's SU Recruiting Team; Dorlissia Robinson, a SU junior majoring in mechanical engineering and recent BASF Team Chemistry scholarship winner; and Roderick Hill, BASF employee and member of BASF's SU Recruiting Team

A $25,000 donation from BASF will fund a new multi-purpose technology center at Southern University Baton Rouge. The new facility will add advanced capabilities to the University's Career Services Center -- such as virtual interviewing and remote training opportunities -- that will benefit not only students and alumni, but also potential employers.

"BASF is joining forces with Southern University to use technology to expand career opportunities for students and modernize the job-search process," said Tom Yura, senior vice president and general manager of the BASF site in Geismar. "The new technology center also will strengthen recruiting efforts for BASF and other companies by increasing our access to graduates whose skills match job openings in our industries."

BASF's donation will be used to purchase audio-visual equipment, conference room furniture, and other accessories to establish the new facility. Virtual interviewing made possible by the center will allow employers to interview job candidates at different locations in real time, which will increase scheduling flexibility, and eliminate travel constraints and associated costs for employers and applicants.

The new technology center also will support and improve existing career-development workshops, internship programs, leadership seminars, professional development courses, student employment sessions, networking events, mock interviews, and group training sessions conducted by the University's business and industry partners.

"We are thankful that BASF recognized the value of the new technology center for our students and provided the resources to make it a reality," said Tamara Foster-Montgomery, director of career services at Southern University. "We are expanding and strengthening our partnership with BASF to provide scholarships, internship opportunities and professional development for our most valuable asset - our students."

BASF's manufacturing presence near Southern University includes operations in Geismar, the corporation's largest site in North America, Zachary, and Vidalia. BASF employs a workforce of around 2,000 people in Louisiana and invests nearly $300 million in the state through annual payroll, purchases, taxes and charitable contributions.