ROCK SPRINGS – ExxonMobil donated $5,000 to Western Wyoming Community College’s Oil & GasProgram on Sept. 15, providing funds that will be used for student scholarships and learning opportunities in the College’s Oil & Gas Production Technology Program.

Tommee Lambert, Environmental Regulatory Supervisor for ExxonMobil locally, presented the check to Dean of Academics Cliff Wittstruck, Workforce Development Director Dan Perusich, and Operations Coordinator Maggie Bartlett. Lambert said the funds are intended to support an Oil & Gas program that provides substantial employee training and development for ExxonMobil.

“It helps develop our people and gives them the appropriate safety training, and gives them the opportunity to come on site and work safely,” Lambert said. “The (Western) instructors are competent in the industry, and it allows them to share their experiences with our workers.”

Perusich thanked Lambert and ExxonMobil for the donation and for the continued longstanding partnership between the College and the international oil and gas company.

“This is absolutely wonderful, especially in a time when community colleges in our state are being very strategic with finances,” he said. “It’s really helpful when we have partners in industry that are so generous in making donations that can allow us to function at a high level.”

Western’s Oil & Gas Production Technology Program offers the core courses related to natural gas processing that prepare students for careers as production technicians. The program’s curriculum was developed in partnership with the oil and gas industry; therefore, it provides training that meets the industry’s expectations. Students may pursue a two-year Associate of Applied Arts degree or a one-year Oil & Gas Production Operator’s Certificate. Additionally, Western provides workforce training, including safety training, for oil and gas workers who are already in the field.