A New Foundation for Engineering Opportunity

Autry C. Stephens (1938-2024) defines what it means to be a true Texas Engineer. From pioneering oil and gas production in the Permian Basin that ensured more long-term jobs for thousands of employees to a cameo role on reality TV to shine a light on what it takes to produce our energy, Stephens underscored the importance of taking risks and charting new courses. Now his life, career and legacy of inspiring generations of engineers will be honored through the naming of the new Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building on the Forty Acres.

In his formative years, Stephens learned about perseverance and grit on his parents’ farm in DeLeon, roughly 80 miles southeast of Abilene. His hardworking family grew peanuts and melons. Stephens followed his father’s advice to attend college instead of joining the family business.

“My father led by example, always willing to take risks and try new things, but he never lost sight of where he came from or the people around him. He was proudest of the jobs he created and the lives he touched in our community. I think he would want students to know that their education is just the beginning — a license to keep learning and growing. He believed in staying open to new ideas, not being afraid to fail and always following your passion,” Greth said.

After stints with Humble Oil (now part of ExxonMobil), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and as an oil and gas appraiser, Stephens made his biggest mark through the company he founded: Endeavor Energy Resources.

A firm believer in the potential of the Permian Basin, he amassed drilling rights for 350,000 acres of land and held them for decades with a keen eye toward the ideal time for development. His entrepreneurial nature allowed him to weather the boom-and-bust cycle of the industry and continue to build momentum. Scott Sheffield, longtime contemporary and founder of Pioneer Natural Resources, considers Stephens “the Sam Walton of the oil and gas industry.”

“He became the second-largest operator in the Midland Basin and the most successful individual in the industry over the last 50 years, providing affordable energy and national security to all U.S. citizens,” Sheffield said.

Shortly before his death in 2024, Stephens secured the future for his family and employees by selling Endeavor to another Midland-based company, Diamondback Energy, creating the third-largest oil and gas producer in the region. Now his family is investing in the communities that enabled his success — including The University of Texas at Austin.

“This is a transformational moment for Texas Engineering,” said Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. “The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building ensures we have facilities that match the world-class talent of our faculty and students. The resources and spaces will educate the next generation of engineers, who will follow in Autry’s footsteps. His contributions to the energy sector and commitment to innovation align perfectly with the mission of the Cockrell School.”

The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building is part of the Cockrell School’s ongoing efforts to update its facilities and ensure Texas Engineers have the tools they need to develop solutions to the world’s evolving challenges. The 210,000-square-foot facility — set to open in 2026 — will become the home of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, nationally ranked No. 2 and No. 5 respectively.

The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building directly connects to the Gary L. Thomas Energy Engineering Building and represents the interdisciplinary nature of energy research at UT, where students and faculty advance emerging technologies that continue to improve the world-leading oil and gas industry in Texas.

A signature element of both buildings is the large open labs that bring to life the effort to knock down walls between disciplines. The Autry C. Stephens Building also features flipped classrooms, environmentally inspired study areas, new lecture halls and the redesigned Mulva Courtyard.

“I hope students walk through this building and know that my father’s legacy is about more than just success in business — it’s about resilience, humility and making a difference,” Greth said. “He always believed that the greatest measure of success was in opening doors for others, and this building will do exactly that. To him, its true significance would lie in the students and faculty it empowers: those who walk in uncertain, searching for their path, and leave with the confidence to shape the future.”

“This is a transformational moment for Texas Engineering,” said Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. “The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building ensures we have facilities that match the world-class talent of our faculty and students. The resources and spaces will educate the next generation of engineers, who will follow in Autry’s footsteps. His contributions to the energy sector and commitment to innovation align perfectly with the mission of the Cockrell School.”

The Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building is part of the Cockrell School’s ongoing efforts to update its facilities and ensure Texas Engineers have the tools they need to develop solutions to the world’s evolving challenges. The 210,000-square-foot facility — set to open in 2026 — will become the home of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, nationally ranked No. 2 and No. 5 respectively.