A group from Halliburton, one of the world’s largest oil field companies, recently came to West Virginia University to present a short course on directional drilling and concreting to students in the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.

Len Fry, a 1995 petroleum and natural gas engineering graduate, and district technology manager for Halliburton led the course. Fellow WVU alumnus, Marlon McKoy, a 2006 graduate of the University’s electrical engineering program, joined him.

“We always like to visit with students and keep them abreast of what technology we have and what we’re doing in the industry,” Fry said.

Sam Ameri, department chairman, said students gain valuable knowledge by interacting with industry leaders.

“Interaction between our students and leaders in the oil and natural gas industry is extremely valuable and the department’s faculty remains committed to continue hosting such events,” Ameri said. “Short courses like this one presented by Halliburton provide a blended learning experience to our students beyond formal degree requirements. Networking with successful alumni like Len (Fry) and Marlon (McKoy) helps to reinforce their dedication and commitment to hard work.”

The course consisted of three lectures on directional drilling, cementing best practices and well stimulation.

“With the new technology in directional drilling and cementing practices, we like to show the students what is being utilized and how it can be applied so they can use it in their schoolwork,” Fry said. “Then, they have an idea of how to use it in the industry.”

Cody Hall, a junior petroleum and natural gas engineering student from Wheeling, appreciated the real-life perspectives the offered by the two offered and said it augmented his class material.

“It makes what we’ve learned in class more relatable,” he said. “It’s interesting to see the company’s perspectives and how they operate.”

Amanda Parrish, a senior from Fairmont, said she is grateful that companies like Halliburton come to WVU because she is beginning to look for career opportunities.

“I think we are very fortunate to be with these companies and see how they do it in the industry,” she said. “Not just with Halliburton, but with the other companies as well.”

McKoy said he is thankful for the opportunity to come back to his alma mater.

“After leaving here, I never thought I’d be in a position where I would be able to give something to back the University,” he said. “Ever since I graduated, I’ve been back annually for recruiting or for things like this. It’s big to come back and to provide Mountaineers with some type of knowledge and opportunity to make their lives their own.”

After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, McKoy entered the petroleum industry and headed to East Texas to work with Halliburton. His experiences have led him to push WVU students to expand their boundaries.

“After completing the electrical engineering program, I knew I could tackle anything. Going to Halliburton after graduation was just another challenge,” he said. “I do push it a lot; to take that opportunity when you get out of college to travel. Never only know one thing or area and risk becoming type-cast as a one-trick pony. Every time I come here, I tell students to look for work outside their comfort zone.”

Parrish said seeing WVU alumni being successful in the industry encourages her for her own future.

“It’s wonderful to see our alumni come back to our school,” she said. “They went out there and did what they wanted and still come back to promote and encourage us.”

Fry, who has been with Halliburton for 20 years, sayid he likes to recruit at WVU because the company has had very good luck hiring students.

“We want to make sure we can keep tapping this incredible pool of talent,” he said.

McKoy said his education from WVU prepared him to tackle the challenges of the industry – despite not having a petroleum engineering degree.

“I learned to be open-minded and I use that every day,” he said. “I encourage students to take advantage of people who are willing to share knowledge and experiences with them. That’s one of the things WVU engineering has taught me.”

-WVU-

wbk/11/19/14

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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