Businesses taking part in the Ascension Public Schools’ Partners in Education program were honored during Ascension Chamber Business Expo luncheon.
The program aims to foster collaboration between local businesses and educational institutions. During the 2023-24 school year, 28 businesses supported 32 schools and programs. Those businesses were recognized during the Aug. 22 Ascension Chamber Business Expo luncheon, where one Small Business Partner and one Large Business of the Year were named.
“Launched two years ago, this program has revitalized business and education partnerships in our community, creating valuable opportunities for students and businesses alike,” said Edith M. Walker, superintendent of Ascension Public Schools. “These partnerships are vital to the success of our schools, enriching the educational experience for our students in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. By fostering close relationships with local businesses, we create a dynamic synergy that not only enhances academic achievement but also prepares our students for the real-world challenges they will face.”
Serving as official business partners last year were:
Adam McCarty State Farm, Ascension Credit Union, BASF, CF Industries, Cypress Roofing, Demco, Domain Architecture, Enhance Health Care, Hero’s, Hollis Orthodontics, Horace Mann, Junior Achievement, Methanex, Nutrien, Our Lady of the Lake, Open Arms Behavioral Services, OxyChem, Parish Labs, Prairieville Family Hospital, ProServe, REV, RR Cassidy, SEC Heating and Cooling, Shell, Sherman Balhoff Orthodontics, Triple T’s Catering, Turner Law Firm and VeraPro.
Ascension surveyed PIE partners to measure the efforts of the second year of the program, a news release said. The survey results were used to identify and name an outstanding small business partner and an outstanding large business partner of the year. That criteria includes the number of schools supported, employee involvement, volunteer hours, and financial support to include the value of volunteerism.
Small business partner of the year
This year, Ascension Public Schools recognized Ascension Credit Union as the Small Business Partner of the Year.
Last year, Ascension Credit Union supported 12 schools: Bluff Ridge Primary, Bullion Primary, Donaldsonville Primary, Duplessis Primary, Dutchtown Primary, Lakeside Primary, Lowery Elementary, Oak Grove Primary, Prairieville Primary, Sorrento Primary, Spanish Lake Primary, Donaldsonville High, Dutchtown High, East Ascension High, St. Amant High and the Early College Option program.
Their employees volunteered over 30 hours including providing financial literacy programs and provided over $16,000 in support.
“We have a big, invested interest in the school system. We believe that the school system is probably our best economic development tool. We enjoy spending time helping the school system, and of course, bringing up the kids and helping the teachers facilitate that,” said Lloyd Cockerham, CEO of Ascension Credit Union.
Large business partner of the year
Last year, BASF supported Galvez Middle School, where 20 employees volunteered 65 hours and implemented programs that supported 21 schools.
BASF annually provides scholarships to graduates of all our high schools, sponsors a “Girl Powered” STEM workshop, puts on a TECH Academy for high school students, and funds every fourth grade field trip to the Kids Lab at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum.
All of these activities represented an investment of more than $72,000.
“The Ascension Parish school system is an important part of our community, and for us at BASF, it’s more than just a partnership, it’s about giving back. We are fortunate to have many employees who willingly come forward to help because it’s a part of who we are as a company,” said Kevin McCarroll, senior director at BASF’s Geismar site. “As neighbors, friends and family, we understand the importance of investing in Ascension Parish today to create a stronger tomorrow for our children.”