Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Dean Larry R. Grillot has announced plans to retire, effective June 30, 2015, after guiding the college’s inception through its first eight years.
Grillot came to OU in 2006 after working in leadership positions with Phillips Petroleum for 30 years.
“I had always wondered. I had a good, long career with Phillips. When the two companies (Conoco and Phillips) merged, I wondered if I could do something else, and then the opportunity at OU arose, so I took it,” said Grillot.
The college was established as a result of talks between OU representatives and alumni in the oil and gas and weather industries who determined OU needed to restructure assets in the areas of energy and meteorological education and research.
Grillot has been with Mewbourne College since day one and guided it through considerable growth in the last eight years.
Under Grillot’s leadership, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy’s enrollment increased from 450 to 1,300. Total scholarships have doubled, and the graduates of the college have achieved an almost 100 percent employment rate.
“You always expect growth, but I think in terms of our rate of growth, and the rate at which our kids are being hired, our expectations were definitely exceeded,” said Grillot.
Grillot has overseen multiple building improvements and successful scholarship campaign efforts for the college. Under his leadership, a capital campaign for scholarship and fellowship funds and other gifts to the college, has totaled $100 million in just eight years.
Grillot spearheaded building upgrades totaling $20 million, including improved student computer labs, classrooms, meeting areas and a library remodel. A drilling simulator was acquired that provides students the opportunity to simulate being on a modern drilling rig. A geology field camp was also established near Canon City, Colorado to allow geology and geophysics students to convert classroom concepts into hands-on geological interpretation and mapping.
With an entire academic year left before his retirement is official, the top priority now is making sure the college continues along the right path and continues its growth. There are still a lot of students to educate and to graduate, said Grillot.
“Larry Grillot combined outstanding academic credentials with experience leading America’s energy industry at the highest level to guide the development of the College of Earth and Energy,” said OU President David Boren. “He provided excellent leadership and direction to this new college and we hope that Larry will continue teaching in the College and continue contributing to the Oklahoma Geological Survey.”
President Boren will recommend a search committee to the OU Board of Regents for their consideration at the board’s June meeting. A national search will be conducted for a permanent replacement to lead the Mewbourne College.
