The Thomas family, in honor of their family’s patriarch, who passed away in May 2020, have established The Dr. L. Kent Thomas AIM Fund to support the advancement, innovation and mentoring of graduate students. The $170,000 gift to the University of Oklahoma Foundation establishes two endowments—one in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, where Kent’s wife, Kayleen, earned her bachelor’s degree, and another in the Gallogly College of Engineering.
“We are thankful that Dr. Thomas’ family is honoring his legacy with a gift that benefits educators and their future students,” said Interim Dean Stacy Reeder. “Supporting future teachers who are committed to the communities they serve will have a lasting impact.”
Dr. Thomas was born and raised in Miami, Oklahoma, where he attended Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from OU in 1962, followed by a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan.
In 1966, Thomas began his career with Phillips 66 as a reservoir engineering analyst in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. During his 40-year career, he and his family lived 15 months on assignment for Phillips in Caracas, Venezuela. Upon his return to the States, he was promoted to manager of engineering sciences and tasked to develop reservoir simulation software, which was instrumental in projects that included Ekofisk in the North Sea and consultation with field engineers.
Thomas had a productive and prestigious career, authoring or co-authoring more than 50 technical papers, serving in many leadership roles within the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and lecturing worldwide in 1995 and 1996.
Thomas’ recognitions include:
- 1993 - Society of Petroleum Engineers Reservoir Engineering Award, in recognition of his major contributions to reservoir simulation technology
- 2002 - Robert Earll McConnell Award from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, in recognition of beneficial service to mankind by engineers through significant contributions that tend to advance the nation’s standard of living or replenish its natural resources
- 2006 - ConocoPhillips Technology Innovation Award in Houston for a lifetime of achievement for excellence in reservoir engineering, as demonstrated by his countless awards, recognition and professional contributions, including numerous reservoir engineering simulators and their application in the field
- 2012 - Society of Petroleum Engineers and American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers Honorary Member Award
- 2016 - National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional honors accorded to an engineer who has distinguished themselves in business and academic management, in technical positions, as university faculty, and as leaders in government and private engineering organizations
“The AIM Fund is not only a way to continue my dad's legacy, but it is also hope for the next generation and a means to prove that if you have the passion and the patience to educate yourself in your area of interest, you can achieve anything you wish. My dad mentored students and colleagues throughout his career from different cultures and backgrounds, with many of them becoming lifelong friends. He would be so proud to know that this contribution will allow others to do the same,” said his daughter, Jana Thomas-Roach.
