AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has announced that its new Engineering Discovery Building (EDB) will be named in honor of Autry C. Stephens, a distinguished oil and gas pioneer and alumnus of UT whose impactful contributions have significantly influenced the energy sector in Texas.
The 210,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in 2026 and will become the future home of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering.
These departments boast highly ranked graduate programs, with petroleum engineering ranked first and chemical engineering eighth in the country, as well as undergraduate programs ranked second and fifth, respectively.
The new building symbolizes the interdisciplinary approach to energy research at The University of Texas at Austin, where students and faculty are dedicated to advancing innovative technologies that support Texas’s leading oil and gas industry.
Lyndal Stephens Greth, the daughter of Autry C. Stephens and director of the Stephens Greth Foundation, expressed the significance of her father’s education at UT, stating, “My dad always recognized his education at The University of Texas as one of the major building blocks in his life — a game changer on his path from the melon patch to oil patch.”
She further conveyed that honoring him through investment in future generations of students who will advance the energy industry is the most fitting tribute.
Autry C. Stephens rose from humble beginnings, being the first in his family to attend college, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering in 1961 and a master’s just a year later.
After gaining experience at Humble Oil (now merged with Exxon Mobil Corp.), serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and working as an oil and gas appraiser, he made a significant impact as the founder of Endeavor Energy Resources.
His visionary insight into the potential of the Permian Basin led him to acquire drilling rights for 350,000 acres, which he maintained for decades, strategically waiting for the right moment for development.
Stephens’ entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to navigate the industry’s volatile cycles, and he successfully sold Endeavor to Diamondback Energy shortly before his passing in 2022, resulting in the creation of the third-largest oil and gas producer in the region.
As part of his legacy, his family is now committed to investing in the communities that contributed to his success.
In response to the announcement of the building’s naming, UT President Jim Davis remarked, “One of the greatest gifts our University can receive is the gift of opportunity.
It is fitting that our Engineering Discovery Building will bear Autry C. Stephens’ name as both a pioneer and a creator of opportunity for countless UT students to study in a world-class facility and follow his daring path to change the world in their own way.”
He also expressed gratitude to Mr. Stephens and his daughter for their generous contribution.
The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building forms part of the Cockrell School’s ongoing initiative to upgrade its facilities, ensuring that Texas Engineers have access to the essential tools needed to address the evolving challenges of the world.
This new facility will be connected to the recently opened Gary L. Thomas Energy Engineering Building, which debuted in 2022.
Both buildings are characterized by their spacious open labs designed to foster collaboration across various disciplines.
Additionally, the new building will feature innovative study areas inspired by environmental considerations, flipped classrooms, and modern lecture halls, along with the redesigned Mulva Courtyard that will showcase artwork by renowned sculptor Maya Lin, representing the night sky from the date of the University’s founding.
Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering, referred to this development as a transformational moment for Texas Engineering, asserting, “The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building ensures we have facilities that match the world-class talent of our faculty and students.
The resources and spaces will educate the next generation of engineers who will follow in Autry’s footsteps.”
In summary, the new Engineering Discovery Building stands as a lasting tribute to Autry C. Stephens’ legacy while providing a state-of-the-art environment for future innovators and leaders in the energy sector.
image source from：news
