McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering

08/20/2026

It’s official. As of Aug. 16 Jim Chelikowsky is retired 🎉. Professor of physics and chemical engineering, and the W.A. "Tex" Moncrief, Jr. Chair of Computational Materials with the Oden Institute, Jim leaves big shoes to fill. Look back on his 60-year career: [bit.ly/ChE_JCRetires]

08/19/2026

Exciting! Maya Lin is her name. And her work, Floating Landscape, will sit outside of our new shared building, the Autry C. Stephen's Engineering Discovery Building. Learn more >>

The artist who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., has been commissioned by UT’s public art program to create a new piece on the Austin campus. https://www.kut.org/life-arts/2026-08-18/university-texas-austin-landmarks-public-art-maya-lin

08/19/2026

Congrats to John Ekerdt on his 2nd retirement! He steps down as interim associate dean for research after Fernanda Leite was named UT’s VP for research. During his tenure, he led strategic plans for facilities and research and was integral to the completion of our soon-to-be new home: Autry C. Stephens Building (ACS). John will be a special-guest tour guide of the ACS for advocate-level Alumni Weekend partners during the McKetta Tailgate. RSVP by Sept. 7 [bit.ly/RSVP_AW26].

08/17/2026

Seeking an Associate Academic Advisor (Learn more >> bit.ly/ChE_AAA) to support undergraduate student success through advising, peer academic support programs, scholarships and awards administration, student events, and program coordination. Work with students, faculty, and staff to enhance the undergraduate experience and support student retention, engagement, and degree completion. Apply >> bit.ly/ChE_AAA.

08/10/2026

Check out this engineering spotlight with recent Texas ChE Ph.D. graduate Jon-Marc McGregor, with cameos by Professors Joan Brennecke and Joaquin Resasco. Thanks Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin!

08/10/2026

Please join us in congratulating Texas ChE's Summer 2026 Chemical Engineering Ph.D. graduates! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors! KIT. Hook ‘em!

08/10/2026

Countdown to Texas ChE's 2026 Alumni Weekend, a 3-day celebration with alumni + students, faculty + staff, and incoming (+ past) Academy of Distinguished Chemical Engineers. RSVP: bit.ly/RSVP_AW26.

Thursday night is the kick-off Networking Happy Hour at Austin's iconic Scholz Garten! **They just celebrated 160 years...making their establishment an elder of The University!

We hope to get to mingle with you on Thursday and throughout the weekend. Let us know you're coming...RSVP: bit.ly/RSVP_AW26.

08/03/2026

ChE Alumni -- as we're getting ready to move into the new CPE (Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building)... we want to know what you'll miss about the current building...

Comment below or send in your stories, photos and memories to [email protected] to be featured in their upcoming content about our home for nearly 40 years. UT PGE

Hey Alumni! Do you have great stories or photos from your time in the CPE building?

As PGE and the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering prepare to relocate to the new Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building, we want to reminisce with you–the students who walked the halls, tailgated on the lawn and crammed in the Caudle Center.

Comment below or send in your stories, photos and memories to [email protected] to be featured in our upcoming content about our home for nearly 40 years.

07/30/2026

UNDERGRAD OPP: Fall applications for the $3000 Merck Undergraduate Research Fellowships are now open to current Texas ChE students working in a biotech lab this fall. Texas ChE partners with Merck to create awards that support undergrad biotech research each semester. *Deadline to apply: AUG 19. Details + APPLY through Canvas.

07/30/2026

Thanks to all who came out for our final 2026 Houston Summer Social event. We visited with alumni (one from class of 1970!) and incoming students from both Texas ChE and MechE (class of 2030)... and everyone in between! Thank you Phillips 66 for sponsoring and Prof. Brian Korgel for the hang. Hook 'em, y'all. Enjoy the rest of your summer(s) and see you soon! 🤘🧡