Officials of the University of Texas-Arlington have announced that the school has recently received the largest donation in its history. Texas billionaire and UTA graduate, Kelcy Warren, has presented the university with a contribution of $12 million to help upgrade the school’s Resource and Energy Engineering (REE) program.
Kelcy Warren is a 2016 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award. The philanthropist has funded multiple other academic and civic projects and programs in the Dallas area over the years. Those include funding the downtown development of the popular Klyde Warren Park, named after his son, Klyde.
Warren is the founder and CEO of the Dallas-based oil enterprise Energy Transfer. He came from very humble beginnings, with both parents working two jobs and struggling to make ends meet. He built his fortune on his oil business. Along the way, he has sought to give back to his home community of Dallas and the greater state of Texas.
Warren graduated from UTA in 1978 and currently sits on the University of Texas System Board of Regents. His recent donation to his alma mater will be used to fund engineering faculty and research at the university. Warren reportedly explained that his objective in giving the $12 million was to contribute to the university’s growth as a resource for the field of energy engineering.
Reflecting on the needs for the future interests of Texas, Warren explained that he believes the state needs more graduates who are highly skilled in areas of energy resource management. He has expressed confidence that the innovative REE program at UT-Arlington will be instrumental in helping meet that strong demand.
In a nod to Warren’s industry, University of Texas officials say that the funds contributed by Warren will “fuel faculty and research excellence” in the Arlington engineering program.
UTA reportedly has plans for three endowed academic positions to be named in honor of Warren and his great gift to the institution. Those will include a laboratory, a career experience center, and a program for funding scholarships and fellowships.
University representatives have said that the list of programs and academic facilities that Warren’s $12 million donation will provide include:
- Development of a fully-equipped state-of-the-art laboratory space for students and faculty to research the world’s high-priority energy challenges.
- Funding to develop the Kelcy Warren Career Experience Center for engineering undergraduates to benefit from learning experiences through internship programs.
- Scholarships to help undergraduate students fulfill their educational goals in the REE program.
- Fellowships for engineering graduate students who are planning to pursue careers in the energy industry after graduation.
- Funding two endowed faculty fellowships for top scholars to maximize the educational experience for students in the REE program.
- Retention of a top professor in the REE academic discipline to lead the creation of the Kelcy Warren Endowed Professorship in Resource and Energy Engineering.
- Sponsorship of undergraduate opportunities for research experiences that help students prepare for roles in the energy field and other positions in similarly high demand.
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When asked for his comment on the funding he has provided and all that his donation will accomplish for UTA, Warren characteristically merely stated that he is honored to give back to the school that has been so pivotal in his own academic and professional success. He says he credits the university for its role in his own immense success, by “advancing my educational and professional journey.”
