Stephen Benefield (middle) leads Colby Crosby (left) and Tanner Williams (right) through signing on as students and interns with Choctaw Defense and OSU Institute of Technology as their families look on.
Students receive first Choctaw Defense and OSU college opportunity
By Brandon Frye
Choctaw Nation
Students Tanner Williams and Colby Crosby signed on with Choctaw Defense as interns and scholarship recipients at the Choctaw Defense headquarters in McAlester on May 26.
The two are the first ever to take part in the native-preference internship and scholarship program – a result of collaboration between the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), Choctaw Defense, and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSU-IT). They will receive funding and internships during career-guided studies at OSU-IT, granting them stronger career opportunities after graduation.
“In a couple of years, these two will be joining a class of graduating students who know, on that day of graduation, exactly where they will be going to work,” Bill Path, President of OSU-IT said during the signing event. “Just imagine, starting out their education they know every class they take will be custom designed for their careers.”
Path said many young people graduate from college without the skill set necessary to find the best jobs, and owing student debt. Thanks to this opportunity, Williams and Crosby will be graduating with little to no debt and a guarantee of gainful employment, Path said.
This is because the students signed an Employer Employment and Loan/Scholarship Repayment agreement with Choctaw Defense. While studying at OSU-IT, learning the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the manufacturing field, Williams and Crosby will receive scholarships and aid paying for their education.
In return for this support, the students are promised an internship with hands-on learning at Choctaw Defense before graduating, as well as a job upon successful completion of their education. As a part of the agreement, the two will be required to remain employed with Choctaw Defense for a year, with the option of staying on-board after this period.
It is an arrangement designed to benefit the students as well as Choctaw Defense, the nation’s leading Native American defense manufacturer.
“We cannot grow without having qualified workers in the pipeline to fill these positions we have at Choctaw Defense,” Stephen Benefield, CEO/President of Choctaw Defense said. “We could easily double our business in the next five years here in southeast Oklahoma if we had qualified folks.”
Tanner Williams, a Cherokee, graduated from Kiowa High School in 2014 where he played basketball. After graduation he attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, and will soon be transferring to OSU-IT.
Colby Crosby, a Choctaw and Cherokee, is the oldest of three siblings, and enjoys playing baseball, basketball, and a number of musical instruments. He is a 2015 graduate of Wright City High School. He also attended classes at the Kiamichi Technology Center where his interest in manufacturing grew.
“I became interested [in Choctaw Defense] when my dad and I went to an open house and they gave us a tour and I liked all the things they were working with,” Crosby said. “This opportunity is important because, it’s the first of its kind. They’re putting their time and money into two individuals that they hope will be a success for them in the future.”
Crosby said he plans to do the best he can to better himself and the company. He added he is thankful for the opportunity and will do his best to make Choctaw Defense proud.