Alum Opens Gates To A World-Class ChE Education
- POSTED |
- February 21st, 2012
Entrepreneur Bill Stanley, B.S. ChE ‘61, founded Ventech Engineers just six years after graduating from UT Austin. Today Ventech is the global leader in design and construction of modular refineries and refinery plant relocations. He says he “relies on his education instead of trial and error in business” and owes much of his success to former professor, and friend, John J. McKetta. In gratitude, Bill recently decided to give back.
“It was very important for me to make a gift in McKetta’s honor,” said Bill. “As a student, one of my fondest memories was driving through the burnt orange Longhorn gate at McKetta’s lake house for the annual picnic. He was the most influential teacher I had at UT and literally opened the gates of success for me.”
A week before McKetta’s 95th birthday, Bill surprised him by hand delivering a $2 million commitment letter for an endowed leadership chair. “He was speechless,” said Bill. “Not many people have left McKetta speechless-it was quite gratifying. It’s nice to do something for him because he has done so much for us, his former students.”
The Bill L. Stanley Leadership Chair in Chemical Engineering is part of the Challenge for McKetta Campaign, a $25 million all-alumni philanthropic venture to support department growth and excellence. When reached, the campaign will rename the department The John J. McKetta Jr. Department of Chemical Engineering.
“My experience at UT was integral to forming Ventech,” said Bill. Ventech delivered the world’s first-ever modular refinery in Siberia in 1992 and has offices in Texas, Louisiana, Moscow and the Philippines. Bill’s sons, all UT Alumni, now manage day-to-day operations. However, in between trips to his cattle ranch near Schulenburg, TX, a hunting ranch in Laredo, TX or spending time with eight grandchildren, Bill still finds time to serve as a director for Ventech.
Bill knew from a young age that chemical engineering would play a big part in his life. “My Dad worked for Shell and he told me I was going to be a chemical engineer,” he said. “Then when I took an aptitude test my senior year, the recommended career was chemical engineering.”
He decided to pursue his studies in Austin. “UT was and is a fantastic place to go to school,” said Bill. “Back then the popular restaurants were Hill’s Steakhouse on S. Congress, Youngblood’s on Lamar, and the Nighthawk.” Bill’s first pep rally in 1957 literally got him hooked on the Longhorns and he can still be found at almost every football game-home or away. Further evidence of his Longhorn commitment is the burnt orange gate which graces the front drive of Bill’s ranch. He bought the iron gate from the McKettas years ago when they sold the lake house and every time he drives through it, Bill is reminded of the path that led him to where he is today.
“UT itself, the athletic program and other amenities are worthy causes, but I want students graduating now to recognize that they are a part of the best department, in the best college, in the best university, in the best state. I hope my gift will open the gates to a world class chemical engineering education for generations of students.” said Bill.
The Challenge for McKetta, which will run until 2014, is marching towards the $11 million mark. If every UT ChE alumni participated at the $500 level, the target would be hit with ease.
“Bill’s generosity and the establishment of The Stanley Chair came at a time of great economic challenge and has truly transformed the department’s ability to recruit outstanding faculty and students,” said Roger T. Bonnecaze, current department chair, with a grateful smile.
This collective investment — by thousands who know and love John J. McKetta — is the ultimate gift for him. “McKetta is one of our industry giants, and now his name will be woven into the fabric of this University,” boasts Stanley with a twinkle in his eye.
To support the Challenge for McKetta, which includes gifts made to the department through outright giving, bequests and other estate planning vehicles, multi-year pledges, and corporate matching, please contact Kelsey Evans at 512-471-6151 or kelsey.evans@mail.utexas.eduor visit our Invest in Chemical Engineering webpage.