About Our Alumni
The Cockrell School of Engineering has one of the nation’s most exclusive, most accomplished engineering alumni communities, known for groundbreaking innovations, successful ventures and leading global businesses. Over 75,000 strong, Texas Engineering alumni are leaders — from the former U.S. Secretary of State to the former Senior Vice President of Apple.
Featured Alumni Stories
Ernest D. Cockrell Jr.
B.S. and M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1936A product of the depression, Ernest Cockrell Jr. was a self-made entrepreneur, as was his father before him. When he graduated, he was already a pioneer as a member of the engineering school’s very first class of petroleum engineering students.
Sanjay Chandra
B.S. Electrical Engineering 1987Sanjay Chandra has been a fixture within the Cockrell School community for many years. His perspective as a first-generation student led him to advocate for the value of higher education. He and his family have helped electrical and computer engineering students and faculty realize their global impact.
Jeffery Hildebrand
B.S. Geology 1981, M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1985Inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators, the Hildebrand family are among the Cockrell School’s most dedicated and passionate supporters. They are empowering students to study and explore new energy solutions.
Jeannie Leavitt
B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1990Our own “Captain Cockrell” is retired United States Air Force general officer Jeannie Leavitt. She became the first woman fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and set a course for future generations of female fighter pilots, including members of the Marvel Universe.
Michael Linford
B.S. Mechanical Engineering 2005Michael Linford, and his wife, Erika, believe in engineers—how they can tackle global challenges and their critical role in society—and the importance of community and paying it forward for future generations. As scholarship recipients during their education, they are passionate about supporting the future engineers who will go on to change the world.
Fariborz Maseeh
M.S. Civil Engineering 2008A champion for “engineering the big” Fariborz Maseeh is helping reimagine UT Austin’s approach to training civil, architectural and environmental engineers as society’s designers, with emphasis on the leadership and service needed to solve global challenges.
Autry Stephens
B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1961, M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1962Legendary Midland oilman Autry Stephens led by example—in the boardroom, oil fields and his local community—showing the world that success grows from the ground up when nurtured with passion, courage and grit.
Rex Tillerson
B.S. Civil Engineering 1975Rex Tillerson, former U.S. secretary of state, energy industry leader and UT Distinguished Alumnus, has created new opportunities for students in programs and disciplines that had the greatest impact on his success — from engineering study abroad to the Longhorn Band.
Gary Thomas
B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1972It was his mother’s dream to see her children go to college. So with a scholarship in hand, Gary Thomas set out for UT Austin. Today, he believes in the power of American ingenuity. His career was built on it, his passion is preserving it — and now he’s helping future Longhorns develop it.
J. Mike Walker
B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1968Born in a log cabin outside Huntington, Texas, Mike Walker became valedictorian of his high school class. His love for education led him to pusue a Ph.D. mid career and eventually become the namesake of the J. Mike Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Cockrell School.
More Notable Texas Engineering Alumni
Ben Caudle — Ph.D. Petroleum Engineering 1963
Inventor of wag injection
Sanjay Chandra — B.S. Electrical Engineering 1987
Managing Partner and Chairman, Trinity Private Equity Group
Ernest D. Cockrell Jr. — B.S. and M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1936
Founder, Cockrell Oil Corporation and Producer’s Oil Co.
Carrie D. Colbert — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1999, MBA 2009
Founder and CEO, CarrieColbert.com
Former SVP and Senior Reservoir Engineer, Hilcorp Energy Co.
Chris Condit — B.S. Electrical Engineering 2004, M.S. Biomedical Engineering 2011
Global Product Manager, Spinal and Deep Brain Stimulation Systems, Abbott Neuromodulation
Founder, Texas 4000 for Cancer
Bella Goren — B.S. Chemical Engineering 1983
Board of Directors, LyondellBasell Industries, Gap Inc. and MassMutual Financial Group
Former SVP and CFO, American Airlines Group Inc.
Jeffery Hildebrand — B.S. Geology 1981, M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1985
Founder, Chairman and CEO, Hilcorp Energy Co.
Tae Han Kim — M.S. Chemical Engineering 1986, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering 1988
President and CEO, Samsung BioLogics Co. Ltd.
Jeannie Leavitt — B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1990
Brigadier General, Commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, U.S. Air Force
First woman fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force
Michael Linford — B.S. Mechanical Engineering 2005
Chief Financial Officer, Affirm Inc
Bob Mansfield — B.S. Electrical Engineering 1982
Advisor (Former SVP), Special Projects, Apple
Fariborz Maseeh — M.S. Civil Engineering 2008
Founder and Managing Principal, Surlamer
Gabe Muoneke — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 2002
Founder, MTX
Four-year starter on Texas Longhorns Men’s Basketball Team
Karen Nyberg — M.S. Mechanical Engineering 1996, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering 1998
Astronaut, NASA – Johnson Space Center
Sara Ortwein — B.S. Civil Engineering 1980
President, XTO Energy Inc.
Scott Sheffield — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1975
Chairman (Former CEO), Pioneer Natural Resources
Nicholas Steinsberger — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1987
Inventor of the modern approach to hydraulic fracturing
Autry Stephens — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1961, M.S. Petroleum Engineering 1962
Founder, Endeavor Energy Resources, Big Dog Drilling
Alan Stern — B.A. Astronomy 1981, B.S. Physics 1978, M.S. Aerospace Engineering 1980, M.S. Civil Engineering 1981
Associate Vice President, Southwest Research Institute
Principal Investigator, NASA New Horizons Mission to Pluto
Gary Thomas — B.S. Petroleum Engineering 1972
President and COO, EOG Resources
The Honorable Rex Tillerson — B.S. Civil Engineering 1975
Former Chairman and CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation
Former U.S. Secretary of State
Jim Truchard — B.S. Physics 1964, M.A. Physics 1967, Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 1974
Co-Founder and Chairman (and Former President and CEO), National Instruments Corporation
Mike Walker — M.S. Mechanical Engineering 1968
Founder, Chairman, President and CEO, Dril-Quip
Michael Watkins — B.S. Aerospace Engineering 1983, M.S. Aerospace Engineering 1985, Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering 1990
Director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Calling All Courageous Engineers
We love to hear about your achievements, experiences, and yes, even your epic fails. Share what you’ve learned along the way.