In a groundbreaking move that will shape the future of resource and energy engineering (REE) at the
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), alumnus Kelcy Warren, executive
chairman and chairman of the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer LP, has made a transformative $12 million gift. This
generous philanthropic investment represents the largest single contribution in
the history of UT Arlington. 

Warren’s remarkable gift will drive faculty and research excellence in UTA’s newly established REE
bachelor’s degree program while providing students with unprecedented
opportunities for educational and career advancement in this rapidly growing
field. Having experienced firsthand the invaluable role that UT Arlington
played in his own educational and professional journey, Warren is committed to
meeting the critical need for highly skilled graduates who can effectively
manage our energy resources. 

To recognize Warren’s extraordinary generosity, UTA will establish three endowed academic
positions in REE bearing his name, as well as dedicate laboratory space, a
career experience center, and scholarship and fellowship recipients in his
honor. The funding will also support research experiences for undergraduate
engineering students. 

The impact of Warren’s gift will be far-reaching. It will create the Kelcy Warren
Endowed Professorship in Resource and Energy Engineering, attracting and
retaining top-notch faculty to lead the program. Additionally, two Kelcy Warren
Endowed Faculty Fellowships will be established to recruit and retain
distinguished scholars who will enhance the educational experience for REE students. 

State-of-the-art REE laboratory space and equipment will be acquired, providing faculty and
students with the necessary resources to tackle today’s most pressing energy
challenges. Through the creation of the Kelcy Warren Career Experience Center,
engineering undergraduates will have access to invaluable experiential learning
opportunities, such as internships and co-ops. 

Furthermore, the gift will provide scholarship support for REE undergraduate students, known as
Warren Scholars, as well as fellowship support for engineering graduate
students, known as Warren Fellows, who are interested in pursuing careers in
the energy industry upon graduation. Research experiences for engineering
undergraduates will also be funded, ensuring they are well-prepared for success
in the energy industry and other high-demand fields. 

UTA President Jennifer Cowley expressed her deep gratitude for Warren’s visionary
philanthropy, which promises to leave a lasting legacy at his alma mater and
elevate UTA as a national leader in the resource and energy engineering
industry. The REE bachelor’s degree program, set to launch in the fall of 2023,
will be the first of its kind in the United States. It will equip students with
the necessary knowledge and skills to address the design, development, and
evaluation of energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems. 

Kelcy Warren’s exceptional contribution highlights his unwavering commitment to
students and the future of Texas. As a member of the UT System Board of Regents
and a revered figure in the energy industry, his gift will undoubtedly
accelerate UTA’s ability to produce a pipeline of talented engineers ready to
make an immediate impact in this dynamic sector. 

UTA is proud to count Kelcy Warren as an esteemed alumnus and grateful for his continued
support over the past 25 years. His dedication to his alma mater, through
numerous gifts totaling over $4 million, has already made a significant
difference in the lives of countless students. This historic investment in
resource and energy engineering further solidifies Warren’s legacy as a
champion for education and a catalyst for progress. 

As UTA prepares to embark on this exciting new chapter, the university extends its heartfelt
appreciation to Kelcy Warren for his extraordinary generosity and for paving
the way for a brighter future in the field of resource and energy engineering.

Refer to this article for related information. 

More about Kelcy Warren on https://www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/kelcy-warren