Two MPGE alumni received the Regents’ Alumni Awards for their dedication and service to OU in a ceremony on Friday, May 11, on the Norman campus.
Robert S. McKenny, Sr. of Southlake, Texas, graduated from OU in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. While at OU, he was both president and vice president of Sigma Chi fraternity. Following graduation, he joined ExxonMobil as a production engineer. Over his 35-year ExxonMobil career, he has worked in a variety of engineering and engineering leadership assignments on both domestic and international assets. In his current role, he leads the development team for the Midland Basin at XTO Energy. He is also a founding member of the Mewbourne College Trailblazer Donor Society.
Shawn Emerson Simmons of Houston, graduated from OU in 1993 with a degree in petroleum engineering and went on to work as an environmental and permitting manager with ExxonMobil. While at OU, she was involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Multicultural Engineering Program, Engineers’ Club, Pi Epsilon Tau and Society of Petroleum Engineers. She was named Miss Black OU and received the Black Engineer of the Year and the Volunteer Spirit Award as a student. She is currently active as chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board on Diversity and Inclusion in the Gallogly College of Engineering and the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.