GEISMAR, LA--(Marketwired - Nov 19, 2014) - A $25,000 donation from BASF will fund a new multi-purpose technology center at Southern University in 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, 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. Visit www.basf.us/la for more information.
Suggeste d photo caption: At a recent Southern University football game, BASF presented SU with a $25,000 donation for the creation of a multi-media technology center. Shown in photo from left: Philip Smith, Jr., Advancement Officer for Southern University System Foundation; Flandus McClinton, Jr., Acting Chancellor of Southern University; John McGee, BASF employee and member of BASF's Southern University Recruiting Team; Tamara Foster-Montgomery, Director of Career Services at Southern University; Tom Seagraves, BASF employee and executive sponsor of BASF's Southern University Recruiting Team; Dorlissia Robinson, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering at Southern University and recent BASF Team Chemistry scholarship winner; and Roderick Hill, BASF employee and member of BASF's Southern University Recruiting Team.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $19.3 billion in 2013. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us .
At BASF, we create chemistry -- and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world's leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about EUR74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com .
For more information contact: Jolen T. Stein, APR BASF Corporation Tel: (225) 339-7476 E-mail: Email Contact Elizabeth Canfield BASF Corporation Tel: (225) 339-7333 Email: Email Contact
