OKLAHOMA CITY (April 18, 2024) — Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC)(“Paycom”), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, donated $25,000 to FIRST® Robotics Competition, Oklahoma’s regional robotics competition that encourages innovation and hands-on STEM experiences for youth. As part of Paycom’s FIRST Robotics/First Down initiative with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University football programs, Paycom donated $25 to FIRST Robotics for every OU and OSU first down during the 2023 college football season.
“STEM professions are essential for our workforce and the future of software innovation,” said Brad Smith, chief information officer at Paycom. “The hands-on learning provided by programs like FIRST helps expose students to passions and proficiencies needed to excel in STEM fields. Paycom is honored to play a role in inspiring young people and invigorating the future industry leaders.”
Paycom’s donation helped fund an Oklahoma regional competition for Oklahoma’s FIRST Robotics participants. Under strict rules and limited time and resources, teams of high school students are challenged to build industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game in alliance with other teams, while also fundraising to meet their goals, designing a team brand and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.
“Because of regional sponsors like Paycom, our Oklahoma teams did not have to travel out of state to attend a regional event,” said Melinda Taylor, FIRST Robotics’ Oklahoma regional director. “It’s been a great opportunity for all the teams and even allowed us to bring in students from other states to engage in the competition.”
Oklahoma teams came from Adair, Ada, Anadarko, Bartlesville, Bethany, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Chickasha, Collinsville, Edmond, Enid, Fort Cobb, Fort Gibson, Grove, Henryetta, Jenks, Mannford, Muskogee, Mustang, Norman, Oklahoma City, Olive, Pryor, Sapulpa, Shawnee, Stillwater and Tulsa. Along with the 38 teams from Oklahoma, the two regional events brought teams from eight other states and two international teams, one from Mexico and the other from Belize. Six of the Oklahoma teams advanced to the Houston world championship.
This donation is one of many ways Paycom supports causes that meet community needs, including STEM and education initiatives.
