TYBRIN Puts Major Gift To Work

11/29/2003

During the past decade, the Tybrin Corporation has demonstrated its support by building the largest employee-funded scholarship endowments at OWCC. Now, the nationally recognized Fort Walton Beach defense contracting firm is leading the way in development of OWCC's new four-year degree program in Project and Acquisition Management.

"Just like Tybrin's scholarship endowment, this is an investment in the college and the educational opportunities this program will bring to our community," said Bobbi Pennington, who was joined by husband Bill, and sons Brian and Ty, in announcing a $25,000 contribution by Tybrin to the OWCC Foundation's "Shaping the Futures by Degrees Campaign."

In addition to its financial support, Tybrin was among the area's industry leaders who traveled to Tallahassee to urge the state board of education's approval of the new Bachelor in Applied Science (BAS) degree program.

"Our growing staff requires that we promote technical folks to management roles. Learning (these) skills requires training in the areas that come from the proposed bachelor's program at OWCC" said Brian Pennington, Tybrin's senior vice president. "It's just a natural for our company and for the area. It gives people an opportunity to excel in a variety of areas."

Bobbi Pennington, who also serves as president of the OWCC Foundation, used Tybrin's support of the new degree program as a challenge to other companies in the area. "The college needs the start-up dollars to get the BAS program ready for fall 2004," she said. "I'd really encourage other companies that will benefit from this training to support the campaign."

Dr. Bob Richburg, president of OWCC, said Tybrin "has taken a leadership role in getting the four-year program where it is today. We are grateful for their continued support of the college over the years and particularly for being out-front with this program."

"Tybrin, its employees and its corporate dollars have been there for our students. Tybrin has proven itself an exceptional corporate citizen again," said Richburg, who said the foundation is one-third of the way toward the campaign's $500,000 goal.

For information on the degree program see www.owcc.edu/bachelor.