If you have ever crossed paths with Dr. John J. McKetta Jr. or were fortunate enough to work, learn or befriend him, you know of his contagious smile and love for his University of Texas at Austin family. Most weekday mornings, Dr. McKetta can be found making Happy Birthday phone calls to "his boys and gals," so it was time we celebrated him!
The chemical engineering community at the Cockrell School of Engineering celebrated the 95th birthday of beloved professor, friend and mentor, John J. McKetta Jr. More than 450 alumni, friends and family members surrounded Dr. McKetta and his wife, Pinky, to help blow out the birthday candles and celebrate the couple's 67th wedding anniversary. Fifty five sponsors helped support the event, which took place Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel on Lake Austin.
During the celebration, the Cockrell School of Engineering premiered a tribute video to McKetta, chronicling his life and strong commitment to engineering. Watch the tribute on the Cockrell School's YouTube channel. The video also laid out the "Challenge for McKetta," a new $25 million fundraising opportunity that will formally name the Department of Chemical Engineering in his honor.
"I ask each of you in the months and years to come, to jump in on this campaign – we are going to have fun doing it and a very, very good result will occur because of it," said Peter Buenz, ChE 1960, who was a keynote speaker at the reception.
Three other alumni were keynote speakers, sharing special memories from their years on campus and highlighting their unique relationships with McKetta. The speakers included C.A. Rundell, B.S. ChE 1954; Diana Naylor Knox, B.S. ChE 1979; and David Stevens, B.S. ChE. Watch their remarks on the Cockrell School's YouTube channel.
For more information about the "Challenge for McKetta," call
Gold Level Sponsors
| Claire and Peter Buenz | Aline and Ron Horne |
| Donna and Tom Edgar | Barbara and Jim Miller |
| Reba and Ralph Ferrell | Yvonne and Les Moor |
| Paul W. Fisher and Mary Linda Portner | Edith and Peter O'Donnell |
| Jacque and Jay Forrest | Dotti and Tom Timmins |
| Carol and Peter Gilmore | Vinita and M. A. Vela |
| Carol and Henry Groppe | Cindy and Mike Zeglin |
| Hal Hoffman |
Silver Level Sponsors
| Diana and Bob Ayers | Katherine and Langley Hellwig |
| Cynthia and Louis A. Beecherl, III | Dottie and Brock Hudson |
| Beverly and Ron Buls | Cheryl and Keith Johnston |
| Mary and Harvey Campbell | Diana Naylor Knox |
| Mary and Finis Carleton | Ginger and Charles Loeffler |
| Elaine and Don Carlton | Tomás Maldonado |
| Frances and Paul Chan | Marion and Hans Mark |
| Sally and A. E. Chionsini | Debbie and Jess McAngus |
| Janet and Ernie Cockrell | Carmen and Don Mulraney |
| Everett Culver | Joan and A. J. Phipps |
| Brian and Deborah Dinsmoor | Shirley Rabke |
| Saza and Dudley Dobie | Russell Smith |
| Maxine and Donald Dunlop | Doris and David Stevens |
| Leonard Emge | Carol and Curt Strong |
| Eileen and Doyle Fowler | Diane and Glenn Taylor |
| Elaine and Hugh Gainey | Lil and Jim Templeton |
| Gresham and Gusler Family | Tom and Debbie Tulig |
| Brenda Lee Gabert and Rolando Guerrero | Dan Weaver and Connie Dickens Weaver |
| Linda and Jim Harris | Janelle and Eugene Werlein |
| Brigitte and Phillip Hawley |
