For nearly a century, UT PGE has educated leaders who have shaped the oil and gas industry. In 2010, we created the Distinguished Alumni Ceremony to recognize the best among them — company executives, technological innovators and astute entrepreneurs with unmatched industry expertise and a continued commitment to our UT PGE community.

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2025 Distinguished Alumni Recipients

Mark Agnew
BSPE 1989

Dr. Hossein Kazemi
BSPE 1961, PhD PE 1963

Dr. Tony Podio
BSPE 1963, MSPE 1965, PhD PE 1968

Mike Riley
BSPE 1974

Francis Sommer
MSPE 1986

Tara Sharma
BSPE 2015
(Rising Star Award)

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2025 Distinguished Alumni Weekend

Distinguished Alumni Ceremony and Dinner
Friday, Sept. 19
Otis Hotel
Reception 6 p.m. | Dinner 7 p.m.

Alumni Tailgate
Saturday, Sept. 20
3 hours before kickoff vs. Sam Houston State
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Building (CPE) Lawn

Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum Supporter: $10,000
+ Verbal recognition at event
+ Recognition in printed event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Twelve event tickets

Gold Supporter: $5,000
+ Verbal recognition at event
+ Recognition in printed event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Six event tickets

Silver Supporter: $3,000
+ Verbal recognition at event
+ Recognition in printed event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Four event tickets

Bronze Supporter: $1,000
+ Verbal recognition at event
+ Recognition in printed event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Two event tickets

Tailgate Presenter: $18,000
+ Title sponsor of event (sole sponsor)
+ Verbal recognition at event
+ Recognition in event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Eight DA event tickets

Tailgate Supporter: $5,000
+ Recognition in event program/posters
+ Recognition on UT PGE website
+ Two DA event tickets

Contact Senior Alumni and Constituent Relations Program Coordinator Heba Abdel-Rahim to learn more about sponsoring the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards and Alumni Tailgate.

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See photos from the 2024 Distinguished Alumni event:
Distinguished Alumni Ceremony and Dinner
UT PGE Tailgate: UT vs. Florida