Jeffrey J. McDougall
For TU's internationally celebrated petroleum engineering program, certain names are prominent within its storied history: Kermit Brown, E.T. Gurrero, Jim Brill, J.J. Azar, and Zelmar Schmidt among others. Starting in 2010, another name became permanently affiliated with this program of excellence thanks to a game-changing donation from alumnus and TU Trustee Jeffrey J. McDougall.
A 1984 petroleum engineering graduate, McDougall has epitomized achieving the American Dream through education, hard work, and perseverance. He is well known within the energy industry as the founder and president of JMA Energy Company, one of the nation's leading independent oil and gas producers headquartered in Oklahoma City.
As he built his successful enterprise, McDougall also wished to provide opportunities for the next generation of petroleum engineers. He found a natural partner with his alma mater. McDougall's $7.5 million gift created an endowment for the petroleum engineering director, who will lead the school and engage its many stakeholders. The donation also established the Dr. Kermit Brown Endowment Fund to support faculty through salary supplements, research incentives, and future initiatives to advance the school. To honor his support, the university renamed the program the McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering in October 2010.