Peters Receives Esteemed Professor Emeritus Title
-
November 19, 2014
The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved Dr. Ekwere J. Peters as a professor emeritus. In the 85-year history of UT PGE only five other professors have received the prestigious title: Folkert Brons, Sylvain Pirson, Harry H. Power, Ben H. Caudle and Robert (Bob) Schechter.
Peters retired in 2011 after 30 years of conducting innovative research and excellent teaching at UT PGE, leaving his mark on generations of engineers.
As the Frank W. Jessen Endowed Professorship and the George H. Fancher, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Petroleum Engineering, Peters taught a variety of classes, including: drilling and well completions, production technology and design and pressure transient analysis. He wrote three industry-wide respected books on Advanced Petrophysics. In addition, Peters published a three-volume set of textbooks based on his research, teaching notes and 140 class exercises he developed for his Advanced Petrophysics graduate course.
Peters established a positive teaching reputation consistently receiving high student ratings for his courses. He won numerous teaching awards and often many times over, including the prestigious Texas Excellence Teaching Award (1984); the Petroleum Engineering Teaching Excellence Award (1987,1992 and 2010); the Petroleum Engineering Faculty Leadership Award (1985, 1988 and 1996); and the Cockrell School Engineering Foundation Faculty Excellence Award (1981, 1989 and 1998).
Recognized as an expert in flow through porous media and petrophysics, Peters published more than 70 papers and research reports. He helped pioneer the application of computed tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging technologies to evaluate fluids in permeable media for improved oil recovery and environmental remediation.
From 1997-2001, Peters chaired the department providing administrative and academic leadership to ensure that UT PGE is a leading department. As chair, he recruited Dr. Carlos Torres-Verdin to help establish the Formation Evaluation Research Consortium, a top research consortium of its kind, and the UT PGE Excellence Fund to encourage alumni around the world to become more involved with UT PGE.
“I think Ekwere’s directness, fairness and integrity rise above his considerable talents and those qualities will persist in the department’s collective memory,” said Dr. Larry Lake who taught alongside him.
In retirement, Peters joined The Woodlands-based Afren Resources, USA, a leading independent E&P, with assets in 12 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
If you want to let Dr. Peters know the impact he’s made on your life, please consider making a gift to the Ekwere J. Peters Endowed Scholarship. Your gift will ensure that Dr. Peters’ legacy at The University of Texas at Austin will continue for generations. Please make your gift through our easy online giving system.
