Exxon Mobil Unveils $5 Million Gift To University of Oklahoma

The Journal Record

Exxon Mobil Corp. announced Monday a $5 million gift to the University of Oklahoma to help build an engineering practice facility that will anchor a new engineering complex on the northeast corner of OU's main Norman campus.

Groundbreaking for the two-story, 40,000-square-foot building is set for spring 2006 with a targeted completion date of late summer or early fall of 2007.

Designed to help prepare engineering students for careers in the industry, the practice facility will include space for students to design and build interdisciplinary projects and complete senior capstone projects. It also will feature activities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade designed to encourage the study of engineering and science.

"The facility itself is the first of its kind," said Truman Bell, education program officer for Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp. "One thing we like about it, not only does it help train engineers, but it brings through K-through-12 students to encourage them to consider engineering and related fields."

Lee Raymond, Exxon Mobil's chairman and chief executive officer, announced the gift during a ceremony on campus Monday with OU President David L. Boren.

Boren said the OU Board of Regents is expected to approve naming the building the Exxon Mobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility in honor of the company's former chairman and CEO who died in February at the age of 76.

Rawl, a 1952 OU petroleum engineering graduate, served as chairman and CEO of Exxon Corp. from 1987 until his retirement in 1993. He served for several years on the OU College of Engineering's Board of Visitors and established a scholarship at the university.

"Today's ceremonies are a fitting tribute to Larry Rawl, a man whose life exemplified the highest and most ennobling aspects of intellectual achievement, leadership, integrity and service to others," Raymond said. "I know that he would be honored and humbled by having this premier engineering facility named after him on his alma mater's campus."