Shackouls to deliver 2003 Hunter Henry Lecture at MSU

Contact: Phil Hearn

The head of one of the world's largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies will deliver the April 14 Hunter Henry Lecture in Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State.

University alumnus Bobby S. Shackouls, board chairman, president and chief executive officer of Burlington Resources Inc., will discuss "Energy, Technology and Business" during the 3:30 p.m. public program in the George Eastman Auditorium of the Swalm Chemical Engineering Building.

A part of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering is sponsor for the annual lecture.

Burlington Resources ranks among North America's leading oil and gas producers, focusing on natural gas, long-life reserves, strong cash flow generation, and high expertise in producing from complex geologic reservoirs. The Houston, Texas-based company, which employs more than 2,000 people, currently is building a substantial base of international production that includes development operations in Northwest Europe, Latin America, Algeria, and China.

After graduating in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Shackouls began his career with Exxon's Offshore Production District. He was an executive of Houston Oil and Minerals and Plains Resources before becoming executive vice president of Torch Energy Advisors in 1988.

He joined Burlington Resources/Meridian Oil in 1993, becoming president and chief executive officer of Burlington Resources Inc. in 1995 and chairman of the board in 1997.

In addition to his leadership at the energy company, he serves as vice chairman of the National Petroleum Council and a member of the Domestic Petroleum Council.

Hunter Henry Jr., the lectureship's namesake, is a Canton native and 1950 MSU chemical engineering graduate. Now retired and living in Texas, he has combined a career as a top-level executive of a major multi-national company, Dow Chemical USA, with a lifetime of philanthropy and public service.

At MSU, he has served five terms on the university foundation's board and 15 years on advisory boards of the College of Engineering. He was the university's alumnus of the year in 1988 and was the lead donor for a new $8 million building named in his honor that houses MSU's foundation and alumni association.

In 2001, his alma mater further recognized Henry for significant lifetime achievements with an honorary doctor of science degree.

For additional information on the Henry Lecture, telephone (662) 325-2270.