Giving

As the largest energy-producing and energy-consuming state in the nation, Texas faces a critical need for highly skilled graduates who can manage energy resources. UTA aims to meet this workforce challenge head-on with its new Bachelor of Science in Resource and Energy Engineering (REE) degree.

Launched in fall 2023, the REE program prepares engineers to provide interdisciplinary, systems-level economic and environmental analysis of natural and renewable resources based on engineering, earth and physical science, and economic principles. It addresses the continued growth in both conventional and renewable energy sources and the demand for a much larger, more knowledgeable, and better trained workforce to support the emerging complexities in the Texas energy industry and beyond.

The first-of-its-kind program received transformational support in May 2023 when alumnus Kelcy Warren (’78 BS, Civil Engineering) made a historic $12 million gift to elevate UTA and its College of Engineering to the forefront of the REE field. The gift represents the largest single philanthropic investment in the University’s history.

To recognize Warren’s generosity, UTA will name three endowed REE academic positions as well as REE laboratory space, a career experience center, and scholarship and graduate fellowship recipients in his honor. Funding will also support research experiences for engineering undergraduates.

“UTA’s location, in one of the epicenters of energy supply, creates a natural home for a program targeted to educating energy engineers,” says Warren, executive chairman and chairman of the Board of Directors of Energy Transfer LP and a member of the UT System Board of Regents. “I believe this degree will create a pipeline of talented engineers ready to make an immediate impact in our industry.”

According to the state comptroller’s office, Texas produced more energy than any other state in 2021, accounting for almost 12% of the nation’s total energy generation. During the same year, Texas was the largest producer of oil (43%), natural gas (25%), and wind-powered electricity (26%) in the U.S.

While the energy engineering field isn’t formally tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, studies indicate that the shifting energy landscape is creating new opportunities for energy engineers. UTA’s REE program will train students to effectively communicate with both engineers and business managers, understanding energy from a systems approach, including the use of modeling and visualization, engineering economics, energy regulation and government policy, and project management.

“There is a growing need for engineers to create efficient ways to generate, transport, and store energy,” College of Engineering Dean Peter Crouch says. “Our graduates will be prepared to work for engineering firms, energy companies, governmental agencies, and national laboratories as well as to pursue graduate study in energy and related engineering disciplines.”

The REE program is housed in the Electrical Engineering Department, whose graduates have a sustained record of distinguished service in the energy sector. Among the most prominent is Jim Greer, who earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UTA in 1984 and is now executive vice president and chief operating officer for Oncor Electric Delivery.

“Every day, I see the tremendous difference UTA graduates are making in the energy industry,” says Greer, who serves as chair of the UT Arlington President’s Advisory Board. “The new REE degree program will elevate that impact to even greater levels.”