Fifty Years, One Shared Vision: ExxonMobil and UT Celebrate a Long Legacy of Partnership and Discovery

ExxonMobil and its predecessor companies have shaped the Texas energy landscape throughout its partnership with The University of Texas at Austin, forging a powerful ecosystem of innovation, talent and societal impact. For half a century, this visionary corporate champion has helped to fuel faculty and student success, advance discoveries in critical fields and prepare Longhorns to confront society’s toughest challenges. In turn, UT has built a strong pipeline of Texas talent and cultivated generations of visionaries and global changemakers.

On September 11-12, UT celebrated ExxonMobil and its 50 years of impact during the KBH Energy Center Honoree Dinner and Fall Symposium. The annual symposium brought together leading industry executives, policymakers and faculty for a dynamic day of forward-looking dialogue on the future of energy. This year’s dinner honored Darren W. Woods, chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, as the recipient of the Center’s Award for Outstanding Excellence in the Energy Industry.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy Leaders

As a leader in recruiting top talent across engineering, geology, business, finance and law, ExxonMobil recognizes the value of a UT education. The company is proud to be one of the largest private employers of UT graduates. Over the years, more than 2,500 alumni have worked at ExxonMobil, and nearly 900 alumni currently contribute their expertise across the organization. Many notable Longhorns have gone on to hold prominent leadership positions at ExxonMobil, including Rex Tillerson, B.S. ’75; C. Kenneth Roberts, B.B.A. ’50, B.L. ’51 and M.L. ’53; Charles W. Matthews, B.A. ’67; Sarah Ortwein, B.S. ’80; and KBH’s own Jack Balagia, B.A. ’73 and J.D. ’76.

Manny Rosales, B.S. ’08, began his studies at UT aiming to play in the Longhorn Band and become a band director. He shifted to petroleum engineering, and after two internships at ExxonMobil, joined the company full-time. His career progressed through various roles, and today he is the data solutions manager for the Unconventional business line, leading a team of 26.

“For the past decade, I have recruited petroleum engineers at UT for ExxonMobil, hiring hundreds of students,” said Manny. “I also serve as the university engagement manager, overseeing all recruiting efforts at the University and helping students launch their careers in the energy industry. My trajectory in life was forever altered when I received my first internship with ExxonMobil, and creating relationships with students and providing them with the same opportunities is what excites me most about the role.”

The ExxonMobil Foundation, an arm of the company that supported employee matching gifts for nearly four decades, now funds STEM scholarships and student success initiatives.

Powering the Future of Energy

Since 1975, ExxonMobil has supported UT with scholarships and student success initiatives, and by advancing faculty excellence, capital projects and groundbreaking research in energy systems, carbon capture and artificial intelligence. ExxonMobil scientists and engineers collaborate closely with UT faculty on breakthrough technologies, while company leaders regularly return to campus to contribute to classroom discussions, symposia and public policy forums. Through this sustained partnership, ExxonMobil continues to strengthen the academic mission of UT and expand opportunities for future generations of students.

As a research partner, ExxonMobil has invested in faculty research across the energy sector. Its support helped launch the Energy Institute in 2016, elevating UT’s reputation in energy research. This partnership drives innovation in all areas of energy research. Bringing together the expertise of more than 400 researchers from across campus, the Institute connects industry, government, nonprofits and other stakeholders to tackle today’s most pressing energy challenges. A cornerstone of its mission is producing trusted data-driven insights that guide policymakers and shape public conversations on critical energy issues worldwide. Beyond research, the Institute is dedicated to educating future energy leaders and strengthening UT’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship through seed funding and collaborative programs. With their support, UT continues to push the boundaries of energy discovery and solutions with world-class expertise.

Additionally, UT’s KBH Energy Center serves to drive big ideas, bold discoveries and brighter futures. The Center prepares the next generation of energy leaders by connecting students with industry experts from ExxonMobil and other corporations at campus events, where they share knowledge, exchange ideas and address critical challenges. Students gain valuable skills and leadership experience through Energy Industry Nights, Energy Studies Minor Program and group field trips to key energy hubs such as Dallas, Houston and Midland. Council members can also network at the Center’s Annual Energy Symposium, where they can engage directly with students interested in pursuing careers in the energy sector.

In 2004, ExxonMobil donated more than 4 million documents and 1.5 million photos to the Dolph Briscoe Center, creating a permanent archive of the company’s history. UT is deeply grateful for ExxonMobil’s enduring partnership and commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.

“UT Austin appreciates the active, enduring partnership of ExxonMobil,” said UT President Jim Davis. “ExxonMobil and its employees have generously invested time, talent and resources to help UT Austin change the world.”