Jeffrey H. Harwell, Conoco/DuPont Professor of Chemical Engineering, George Lynn Cross Research Professor and the college’s former executive associate dean for academics, was inducted as only the college’s fourth honorary member of the Distinguished Graduates Society. He holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University, M.S. in chemical engineering from Texas A&M, Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Texas. Harwell joined the College of Engineering faculty in 1982. He has published four books and more than 130 refereed articles, holds 17 patents and is an associate editor for numerous peer-reviewed journals.
BS Petroleum Engineering 1949
Preston L. Moore served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, then enrolled at OU, where he earned a B.S. in petroleum engineering in 1949. After nine years with Humble Oil and Refining Co., he returned to OU, where he was professor of petroleum engineering for 14 years. His dedication to teaching is illustrated by two events: first, after signing a contract in 1960 to be worldwide drilling coordinator for Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, he cancelled the contract to stay at the university. The following year, he was offered a job as manager of drilling for the National Iranian Oil Co. Again, he declined the offer to remain at OU. Preston has started multiple companies, holds three patents concerning drilling operations, has written four drilling operations and practices manuals as well as 130 articles on drilling, well control and the economics of drilling operations.
