Waynesburg University’s mission statement of Faith, Learning and Service, can manifest itself in many different ways. The most recent accolade for the University is the partnership with Chevron to create projects that benefit the community. The project was announced last Tuesday at the Southpointe branch campus in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and with the help of a $250,000 grant from Chevron launched its new Center for Corporate Social Responsibility.

For Stacey Brodak, vice president of institutional advancement,  stimulating corporate volunteerism for the oil and gas industry provided a good background for her to lead service projects here at the university.

The bulk of her work is creating partnerships with large corporations that want to help the community.

“We are a service learning institution,” said Brodak of the university.

A roundtable discussion was held the morning of the announcement in which Waynesburg, Chevron and seven other companies –  84 Lumber, Community Bank, Consol Energy, EQT, Corporation, First Federal of Greene County and Steptoe and Johnson PLLC.

“The members of the group will shape the discussion,” said Brodak. “The things that stood out in the initial phase was best practices. Volunteerism, just helping them with both the practical side and policy side. How do they establish a volunteer program within their program?”

In addition, Brodak said that the next roundtable will be held in February.

For Trip Oliver, manager of policy, government and public affairs for Chevron Appalachia, the pairing with Waynesburg is exciting for the company.

“Our partnership with Waynesburg University underscores our belief that the best way to support the region, now and for decades to come, is to work with community partners to achieve shared goals,” said Oliver. “We strive to build strong relationships and make investments that support progress and prosperity in the communities where we live and operate. The Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at Waynesburg University represents another step toward achieving that goal.”

Brodak said that eventually, the university will try to incorporate students into the center’s projects.

“We have students that are hungry,” said Brodak. “They are hungry to transform the world, hungry to help communities, hungry to not just learn in the classroom but have that real-world experience.”

Brodak also mentioned that this center will be a useful recruiting tool for the companies that are involved.

“There is a real natural potential in recruiting,” said Brodak. “This is a nice opportunity to connect corporations in the area with a group of skilled students.”