DMC formally names new process technology lab at dedication ceremony

Del Mar College showed recognition and thanks to Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, a joint project between ExxonMobil and SABIC, for their support and generosity with a dedication ceremony and tours of the new Gulf Coast Growth Ventures Process Technology Lab.

The new training lab is housed in the Workforce Development Center, one of the most recently built facilities on the campus.

Mark Escamilla, president and CEO of Del Mar College, said Monday's ceremony was overdue, but was happy to finally show recognition to GCGV.

"You might say that the Process Technology Lab is a win-win for Del Mar College and Gulf Coast Growth Ventures; but, there is ultimately one winner, Del Mar College students, who are utilizing this lab, pursuing careers and raising families," Escamilla said. "Their future is what this event is really about."

In March 2019, GCGV announced a massive $1.5 million donation to Del Mar College. DMC's Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Lenora Keas said that is one of the largest donations of direct funding from an individual company in the college's history.

"The hands-on training that students gain with this equipment will give them advanced skills and knowledge that industries are looking for," Keas said. "We know this because industry leaders told us their employees need this type of training. The training that students receive in this lab isn't found anywhere else in the country."

Keas said the training will lead some students to life-changing opportunities they have never imagined before. Two students spoke about how the lab will help them in the future with their career path.

Alexis Gutierrez and Daniel Adams both said they benefited from the training within the facility and that the future work pool will be better educated on how process technology works.

The lab will have programs including process technology, industrial instrumentation, industrial machining, occupational safety and health, environmental/petrochemical lab technology and millwright.

Funded by GCGV, the lab includes six necessary pieces of equipment for students: a distillation unit, extraction unit, water treatment unit, flow trainers, control room and distributed control system console stations.

With that equipment, students will be able to understand what occurs inside a tower during the process of distillation, understand the properties of density and specific gravity in action, read and understand graphs associated with process technology, run and troubleshoot different process conditions, have a knowledge of where the industry is heading and comprehend the different processes of the units by controlling them all.

Paul Fritsch, GCGV site manager, said the donation represents an investment in the future.

"This is about the future of industry in the Coastal Bend, and providing for that future now by providing proper equipment, training and teaching all aligned with area workforce needs," Fritsch said.

SABIC’s Americas Region Vice President Greg Adams said students learning here will be well prepared for jobs at GCGV, or similar facilities.

Chairwoman Carol Scott said the GCGV Process Technology Lab is a major advancement for workforce training in the Coastal Bend.

"This is a significant career option for many of our area residents who want to raise families and earn excellent salaries without relocating to another city," Scott said.

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John Oliva covers education and community news in South Texas. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.  

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