In what the University of Texas at Arlington is calling a “transformational impact,” alumnus Kelcy Warren gifted $12 million to the educational institution where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
His gift, which represents the largest single philanthropic donation in university history, was designated for growing the school’s presence in resource and energy engineering, a field that’s close to Warren’s heart as the chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based company that gathers, treats, processes, and transports natural gas, natural gas liquids, refined products, and crude oil.
Kelcy Warren said of his donation, “I am honored to give back to the institution that has played such a pivotal role in advancing my educational and professional journeys. Texas faces a critical need for highly skilled graduates who can manage energy resources, and this innovative REE program will help meet that demand.”
Thanks to Warren’s generosity, UTA’s College of Engineering launched a REE bachelor’s degree program. The first of its kind in the country, the new program will focus on applying principles of engineering to the design, development, and operational evaluation of energy generation, storage, conversion, and distribution systems. “Kelcy Warren consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to students and the potential they bring to our state’s future,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. “His extraordinary generosity to his alma mater, in an area that is vital to Texas’ well-being and competitiveness, is far-sighted and will serve our students extremely well.”
In addition to the new bachelor’s degree program, Warren’s donation will create the Kelcy Warren Endowed Professorship in Resource and Energy Engineering, helping UTA recruit a world-class faculty member to run the new program; furthermore, the gift will also create two Kelcy Warren Endowed Faculty Fellowships, allowing the school to enhance the REE degree program by recruiting distinguished scholars in the field.
Warren’s gift also allowed for the creation of the state-of-the-art REE laboratory space, so that students have the space and resources to research and overcome the most pressing energy challenges of the present day. At the same time, the undergraduate program will be elevated by the creation of the Kelcy Warren Career Experience Center, helping engineering students dive into experiential learning opportunities and find internships in the field.
In order to increase the program’s accessibility, this donation will fuel a Warren Scholars program, offering scholarship support to undergraduate students pursuing a REE degree. It will also create a Warren Fellows program that provides fellowship opportunities to graduate students in engineering, helping support their career goals. Finally, Warren’s gift will fund undergraduate research opportunities for engineering students, allowing them to stay competitive in the energy industry.
Warren’s record-breaking 2023 donation will change the future of UTA’s engineering program, but it’s by no means the only way in which he’s supported the school. In fact, this gift is merely the culmination of 25 years spent helping his alma mater. Previously, he established the Kelcy Warren Graduate Fellowship for Engineering and the Dr. Syed Qasim Professorship, honoring a former professor and mentor. In recognition of his dedication and generosity to UTA, Warren was appointed to a six-year term on the UT System Board of Regents in March 2019.
Learn more about Kelcy Warren here.
