Chevron boosts sciences

EDITOR's NOTE: This article originally published in The Advocate on Nov. 9, 2011. To view original post, visit AccentAdvocate.com.

Banking on the future of science careers in West County, Chevron Corporation donated $100,000 to the Contra Costa College Foundation to serve science education in local secondary schools.

Six East Bay nonprofit organizations, including CCC's 20/20 Vision for West Contra Costa County Unified School District students, received oversized-novelty checks totaling $1 million from the Richmond-based energy company on Monday.

College President McKinley Williams opened the ceremony in a filled Fireside Room before introducing district Chancellor Helen Benjamin, both lauding local science efforts.

"Jobs in these various fields will be most abundant," Dr. Benjamin said. "(This grant) contributes to our future and the future of our young people. It makes a difference in the lives of our students and the community."

The 20/20 Vision program allows WCCUSD students to take science and math courses otherwise not available to them at their own middle or high schools, Center for Science Excellence Director Joseph Ledbetter said.

Dr. Ledbetter, who wrote the grant proposal with others in the CSE, including Dr. Seti Sidharta, estimates 150 WCCUSD students will complete two college science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and 50 will pass the California High School Proficiency Exam by the end of 2012.

"The key is getting students prepared to go into college level courses and not have to take any remedial courses (when they get to college)," Williams said.

The CSE began nearly 15 years ago from a Department of Defense grant to increase the numbers and success rate of low-income students in the STEM field.

"CSE focuses on students at Contra Costa College. I've always felt CSE has an outreach," Ledbetter said. "Chevron has given us a chance to do some of that outreach."

The Chevron California Partnership began investing in local economic development three years ago and split its donation to include education in the STEM fields overtime.

The other organizations to receive a slice of the million-dollar pie were the West Contra Costa Unified School District and the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, which Chevron donated $200,000 to each. Solar Richmond, Catholic Charities of the East Bay and The Stride Center also received at least $159,000.

"Economic growth and education go hand-in-hand. We are happy to contribute $1 million," said Chevron Vice President Nigel Hearne, pausing for applause, "to some terrific organizations on many levels in our community."

Although most people came to the event to celebrate and relish in Chevron's donations, a group of fewer than 10 protesters from the Richmond Progressive Alliance protested the event.

Standing outside the front door of the Fireside Room, the small group demonstrated and handed out fliers pointing out Chevron made nearly $8 billion last year and is presently pursuing a lawsuit to receive a $100 million refund from Richmond and Contra Costa County.