The Cockrell School's Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering honored six alumni at its fourth annual Distinguished Alumni reception on Nov. 1.
The department's Distinguished Alumni program recognizes six individuals every year for their outstanding contributions to UT PGE and the oil and gas industry, as recognized through their technical or business accomplishments, as well as their leadership in promoting the oil and gas industry.
Karen D. Hagedorn, BSPE ‘86
A second-generation UT PGE graduate, Dr. Karen D. Hagedorn earned a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from UT PGE in 1986. She earned the degree in three years with highest honors, and her subsequent educational and career paths have remained equally impressive.
While at the university, Karen was involved in many extracurricular activities, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and Delta Gamma sorority. In recognition of her academic achievements, she was elected to Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society, Pi Epsilon Tau, the petroleum engineering honor society, and Mortar Board, a national honor society that recognizes college seniors who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, leadership, and service. As a senior, Karen was one of five finalists for University Sweetheart, and at graduation she was recognized by the Cactus Yearbook as an Outstanding Student and by the College of Engineering with the Outstanding Scholar/Leader Award. After graduation from UT Austin, Karen earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in petroleum engineering from Stanford University.
Jeffery D. Hildebrand, BS Geology ‘81, MSPE ‘85
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hilcorp Energy Company
From an early age, Jeff Hildebrand had a vision and a passion to run and own his own oil and gas company. As a young boy growing up in Houston, Jeff learned firsthand what it takes to succeed from his parents. His father was a veterinarian who built a multi-practice enterprise with the help of his adventurous mother who tragically lost her life while piloting her own airplane when Jeff was 15 years old. This was an unfortunate and unsettling event for Jeff, but eventually gave him the perseverance to flourish. The strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit instilled in him by his parents combined with the knowledge and skills gained from an education at The University of Texas at Austin laid the foundation for his accomplishments.
Robert M. Leibrock, BSPE ‘43
Independent Oil & Gas Operator
Robert M. (Bob) Leibrock was born and raised in DeWitt, Ark., and graduated from high school in 1937. He joined a traveling dance orchestra, playing trumpet, until enrolling, at the insistence of his father, in The University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from UT Austin with a B.S. in petroleum engineering in 1943.
Leibrock worked for Stanolind Oil and Gas Co., and then served during World War II as Master Sergeant, 104th Engr. Combat Battalion, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in the Pacific Theatre. Upon returning, he resumed work at the Stanolind Research Facility in Tulsa, Okla. While working for Stanolind, Bob met Prudie Pinkerton, whom he married in 1946.
Charles Simmons, BSPE ’48
Director, Western Company of North America
After serving four years as a naval aviation cadet, Charles Simmons went on to receive a petroleum engineering degree from UT Austin in 1948.
Following his graduation, Charles went on the work with the Western Company of North America, where he worked for 38 years, serving in various positions including chief engineer, division manager, marketing manager, and senior vice president of corporate sales. He served as director of the corporation from 1966 to 1985. Charles served as a director of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and was an active director of Photoprotective Technologies.
Thomas F. “Fred” Stephens, BSPE ‘49
Founder, Stephens Engineering, and Stephens and Johnson Operating Company
Fred Stephens has been a part of the “oil patch” since his college days at UT PGE in the late 1940’s working summers as a roughneck in Wink and roustabout in Ozona. In 1949, after graduating from UT Austin with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering, Fred’s career began when he accepted an engineering job in Wichita Falls, Texas with Cable Engineering, a company owned by Joe Cable, the father of one of Fred’s classmates. Fred left the roughneck job to go to work for Cable Engineering and never looked back. His wife, Jane, made the move with him to Wichita Falls.
Harry A. Trueblood, Jr., BSPE ‘48
Entrepreneur and Founder, Consolidated Oil & Gas
Harry A. Trueblood, Jr. was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, August 28, 1925, to Harry and Marguerite Barnhart Trueblood, and raised in Childress. A born entrepreneur, he had his first job at 11, participated in his first “founding” at age 12 when he helped launch Boy Scout Troop 63 and rose to the rank of Eagle Scout by June 1940 while helping found an Explorer Scout troop. Harry graduated from high school in 1942 and entered Texas A&M University in August before his 17th birthday. He transferred to UT Austin after one semester when it became evident that serving in the ROTC wouldn’t assure he could graduate with his BSPE degree before mandatory wartime army service. Harry attended UT Austin from January 1943 until he graduated in August 1948 except for period (1944-46) of naval service in the Pacific aboard a minesweeper. While on campus, he belonged to Kappa Alpha (VP) and was elected a Texas Cowboy (Camp Cook).
