Mork Alumni Reunion
2015 Mork Alumni Reunion
2015 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: November 6, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Tutor Campus Center Ballroom – University of Southern California
The recipients of 2015 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Harold Greene
Major General
United States Army
Posthumorous Recipient of the 2015 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
General Greene was named posthumously for the Mork Family Department Alumni Award for 2015. He obtained three degrees from USC, a masters in materials engineering, a masters degree in mechanical engineering, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science, working with Prof. Florian Mansfeld. He later joined the U.S. Army, obtaining the rank of Major General, before being killed in Afghanistan on August 5, 2014. He earned numerous awards including Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. We thank him for his service and example to our Department, School, University and to our Nation.
Dr. Christina Smolke
Associate Professor of Bioengineering
Stanford University
Recipient of the 2015 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
Professor Smolke is the 2015 Mork Family Department Alumni Award winner. She did her undergraduate work at USC, obtaining a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduating as the salutatorian of the class of 1997. She did her Ph.D. work with Jay Keasling at U.C. Berkeley and postdoctoral work in molecular biology there before joining the faculty at Caltech. Subsequently, she moved to Stanford, where she is currently Associate Professor of Bioengineering and a recent recipient of the NIH Directors Pioneer Award.
2015 Mork Alumni Reunion Photos
2014 Mork Alumni Reunion
2014 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: 2014
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipients of 2014 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
David Kilpatrick
President
Kilpatrick Energy Group
Recipient of the 2014 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
Dave is President of Kilpatrick Energy Group, which invests in oil and gas ventures and provides strategic consulting services to the energy industry. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of two publicly traded companies -- Cheniere Energy Inc. and Breitburn Energy Partners, L.P. He is Chairman of the Board of Applied Natural Gas Fuels, Inc. and is a director on several other private company boards – Woodbine Acquisition Corp., PetroRock LLC, and Sigma Energy Ventures. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for Tennenbaum Capital Partners on their energy-related investments. Dave served as Chairman of the Board of PYR Energy Corporation and as a Director of Whittier Energy Corporation, both publicly traded oil and gas companies that were merged into larger companies in 2007.
Dave was formerly President and Chief Operating Officer of Monterey Resources Inc., the largest independent oil company in California until its merger with Texaco in 1998. He was instrumental in the successful initial public offering and spin-off of Monterey Resources in 1996 from its parent company, Santa Fe Energy Resources. He held various management positions with Santa Fe Energy Resources from 1983 to 1996.
Dave earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Bachelors Degree in Geology and Physics from Whittier College.
His career has included assignments with majors and independents in California, Texas, Alaska, and abroad.
Dave has served his profession as President of the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) and is currently on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He is also a Director of the Independent Oil Producers Agency (IOPA) and has served on the Board of Directors of the Western States Petroleum Association and the Conservation Committee of California Oil and Gas Producers. Dave has also served on the Advisory Board at the University of Southern California for the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department of the Viterbi School of Engineering. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
In the community, Dave has served as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. He is a past President of the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp and serves on the Board of Directors. He has also been a member of the Boards of Directors of the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the United Way.
Dave has received achievement awards from CIPA, IOPA, Desk and Derrick, and from elected officials in California and Washington D.C. He is a recognized speaker on energy issues.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Chief Executive Officer, Energy
Mubadala Development Company
Recipient of the 2015 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
The UAE’s 2021 Vision is a blueprint for economic diversification, guiding investment and policy decisions away from the Emirates’ traditional reliance on hydrocarbons and toward a more innovation and knowledge-based economy that will drive new industries, careers and sources of sustainable revenue.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has been at the forefront of this diversification effort. He is an advocate of the UAE’s strategic vision and is dedicated to delivering the nation’s key development goals. By combining responsibilities across government and business, Dr. Al Jaber is strengthening the country’s position within the global commercial and political landscape.
As a minister of state, Dr Al Jaber represents and supports the UAE government and its interests on domestic and international matters. He has recently been focused on improving the region’s stability by supporting Egypt’s transition through social, economic and political support.
Dr. Al Jaber is viewed as the region’s authority on energy and climate change, ensuring the UAE’s positions and interests are represented in international multilateral dialogues.
Furthermore, Dr. Al Jaber oversees a portfolio of national businesses and initiatives that are fundamental to the UAE’s economic and social development goals. These businesses are aimed at strengthening the UAE’s modern economy and ensuring it is a formidable player in today’s competitive global markets.
As Energy CEO at Mubadala, Dr. Al Jaber oversees the company’s oil and gas interests as well as its renewable energy portfolio. Mubadala is a $60 billion company created in 2002 to focus on strategic, private-sector partnerships to drive diversification for Abu Dhabi. As CEO of Mubadala’s energy portfolio, Dr. Al Jaber is helping ensure the UAE’s long term leadership as a responsible and reliable supplier in an evolving energy market. He is the former CEO and now Chairman of Masdar, one of the world’s most innovative renewable energy companies, while also overseeing Mubadala Petroleum and it’s twelve subsidiaries.
Dr. Al Jaber was recognized as a “Champion of the Earth,” the United Nations’ flagship award that recognizes outstanding visionaries and leaders in the fields of policy, science and entrepreneurship. Dr. Al Jaber was also appointed an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Dr. Al Jaber holds a PhD in Business and Economics from the UK and an MBA and a BSc in Chemical Engineering with petroleum emphasis from the US.
2013 Mork Alumni Reunion
2013 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: 2013
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipients of 2013 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
Dr. Alice Petry Gast
President
Lehigh University
Recipient of the 2013 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
I would like to congratulate Dr. Alice Petry Gast as the recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumni Award and Dr. Yannis Yortsos for receiving the new Distinguished Faculty Award. Both individuals have clearly excelled in academic institutions, and have demonstrated impressive leadership and achievements in their pursuits. I particularly commend them both for their commitment to expanding interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. We all know just how critically important these fields are to fuel the global economy and to stimulate the creative capability that solves the world's challenges. I would encourage us all to follow their commitment by leveraging our expertise and talents, and encouraging and supporting today's youth toward a science or engineering based career. I would also like to acknowledge the organizers of the awards dinner who dedicate their time and energy to bring this distinguished group together once a year to recognize contributions from our alumni, and now faculty.
So in closing, I again congratulate Dr. Gast and Dean Yortsos for their admirable career achievements and being this year's recipients of the distinguished awards from the Mork Family Department. They both should be proud of their accomplishments and know that they have left a longstanding legacy as role models for many aspiring and impressionable young people. I wish you all a safe and successful event.
Sincerely,
Jeff Woodbury
VP, ExxonMobil
Dr. Yannis Yortsos
Dean
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Recipient of the 2013 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
It is my pleasure to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the exceptional leader and distinguished Dean of the USC Viterbi Engineering School, Yannis Yortsos. Yannis is currently serving the Trojan Family in his second term as Dean. Prior to becoming Dean, Yannis had a distinguished academic career, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from National Technical University in Athens as well as a PhD from the California Institute of Technology. Yannis joined the USC faculty in 1979 and has been a member of the Trojan Family ever since. On a personal note, I am disappointed that I was not a student at USC when Yannis was still teaching in the Petroleum Engineering program, but I have been able to work with and for Yannis during his tenure as Dean. USC is blessed to have such a wonderful educator and scholar leading its distinguished engineering school. Never reticent to tackle a challenge, Yannis is championing the largest Engineering Campaign Goal in the history of USC, and let no one doubt that Yannis will meet and exceed this one half billion dollar goal. Think how transformed USC engineering will be when Yannis achieves one more record in a lifelong series of transformational accomplishments. Therefore, I am pleased to recognize Yannis as the first recipient of the Mork Family Department Distinguished Faculty Award. Please raise your glasses and honor my dear friend, Yannis Yortsos.
Sincerely,
John Mork
2013 Mork Alumni Reunion Photos
2012 Mork Alumni Reunion
2012 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: May 3, 2012
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipient of 2012 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
Lynden Archer
The recipient of 2012 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
2011 Mork Alumni Reunion
2011 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: March 10, 2011
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipient of 2011 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 5 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
Merwyn C. Gill
Founder and Chairman of the Board of M.C. Gill Corp.
The recipient of 2012 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
2011 Reunion Photos
2010 Mork Alumni Reunion
2010 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: March 11, 2010
Time: 6 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipient of 2010 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 6 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
J.J. (Jeff) Woodbury
Executive Vice President of ExxonMobil Development Company.
The recipient of 2012 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
2010 Reunion Photos
2009 Mork Alumni Reunion
2009 Reunion and Distinguished Award Dinner of USC CHEM/MASC/PTE Alumni
Date: March 12, 2009
Time: 6 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
The recipient of 2010 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award:
Time: 6 PM
Place: University Club - University of Southern California
John Mork
The recipient of 2012 Distinguished MFD Alumnus Award
2009 Reunion Photos
Published on May 5th, 2017
Last updated on January 31st, 2021