Fueling Academic Excellence

Innovation is steeped in our DNA at McCombs and The University of Texas at Austin. I sometimes wonder whether we would have become nationally known for excellence had it not been for the early 20th century risk-takers who drilled an oil well on University-owned land in West Texas. 

When the Santa Rita No. 1 well gushed oil in the Permian Basin 102 years ago, leading to the highest producing oil field in the United States, those revenues began feeding the hungry Permanent University Fund. That continuous flow of income gave UT one of the nation’s largest university endowments and a way to reach for the academic stars. 

McCombs and UT’s other colleges could now build enviable facilities and attract prestigious faculty members and top-notch students who are central to our success. Oil revenues, along with our generous donors, created an unbeatable combination for McCombs. 

This issue of McCombs magazine celebrates generations of risk-takers and innovators who, a century ago, made energy a cornerstone of our history and who, today, are building a resilient energy future. 

On our cover, we feature global energy executive and philanthropist Chris Bake, BBA ’88, who found his time at McCombs to be personally and professionally transformative. Now, he is giving back to the next generation of energy leaders by funding McCombs’ Global Sustainability Leadership Institute. Students in the program receive a multidisciplinary education to prepare them to be flexible, broad thinkers — like Bake — ready to take on the challenges of adding sustainable energy sources to fossil fuels to meet growing energy demands. 

Along with Bake, we spotlight alumni who are leading in the most innovative energy fields in five areas: liquefied natural gas, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), enhanced geothermal systems, battery storage, and green data centers. A couple of these alumni spent time as students involved with the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center. John C. Butler, the center’s academic director, says its partnership with three other UT colleges, the UT School of Law, the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Jackson School of Geosciences, brings a global perspective to the program. 

Finally, as you’ll read on page 39, we are thrilled to announce the monumental $20 million gift from McCombs alumna Mindy Hildebrand, which has led to the naming of the Hildebrand MBA Program and the launch of the Hildebrand Excellence Fund, offering exciting matching gift opportunities. This transformative investment in our MBA programs and future students is truly remarkable. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Hildebrands. The dollar-for-dollar matching fund will enhance student fellowships and leadership programs across all five MBA formats. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact by supporting MBA scholarships, join the Hildebrand Match and help empower future leaders—please reach out to us today.

With my warmest Hook ’em,

Lillian F. Mills, Dean 
Lois and Richard Folger Dean’s Leadership Chair
Beverly H. and William P. O’Hara Endowed Chair in Business
Centennial Chair in Business Education Leadership

To support the Hildebrand MBA Program, visit https://qrco.de/hildebrand