09/28/2026
☝️The OU Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy had a magnificent time celebrating our 2026 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 last week! This year’s Trailblazer is industry phenom 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐂. 𝐃𝐚𝐲.
🌟 The Oklahoma Trailblazer Award recognizes outstanding individuals in the energy industry who have pioneered novel operational or scientific practices, procedures, and developments.
These accomplishments have a high impact on the lives of Oklahomans and citizens nationwide and worldwide, with a strong emphasis on the individual's commitment to service, integrity, and ethics. This diligence creates change now while laying a clear path for future generations to follow.
Day, raised in Pond Creek, Oklahoma, and a Phillips University 1970s business administration graduate, is a renowned energy industry leader who has had a profound impact on the greater Oklahoma and national communities, serving as Noble Corporation’s elected CEO, President, and Chairman throughout a 30-year career. Outside of this role, the trailblazer co-founded the James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation with his late wife to support numerous educational, historical, and cultural organizations in Oklahoma, including an annual 4-year college scholarship and two Teacher’s Excellence Awards for Pond Creek-Hunter Schools.
Alongside these prolific accomplishments, he’s served on the board of several organizations, including EOG Resources, Noble Energy, ONEOK, Tidewater, Global Industries, Noble Research Institute, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, the Offshore Energy Center, and as an Honorary Board Member of the American Petroleum Institute. Additionally, he’s served on multiple organizations in a member or leadership capacity.
Day has received numerous accolades for his robust legacy, including a 2007 OU Honorary Doctorate degree, the 2010 Mewbourne College Distinguished Service Award, induction into The University of Oklahoma Seed Sower Society, and induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Day currently resides in Sugar Land, Texas, with his wife, Pinkie.
🎉 Thank you for your contributions to our communities, Dr. Day. The Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy is glad to celebrate you as this year’s Oklahoma Trailblazer! 👏
✨ Thank you to all who attended and made this night so special! We extend a special thank you to the following:
Our Giving Societies:
~ The Trailblazer Society
~ The Seed Sower Society
~ The George Lynn Cross Heritage Society
Our event sponsors:
(Oklahoma Legacy Sponsor)
~ James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation
~ Mewbourne Oil Company
~ Veritas Energy, LLC
(Wildcatter Sponsor)
~ Crawley Petroleum Corporation
(Energy Champion Sponsor)
~ Mike and Gloria Stice
(Frontier Trail Sponsor)
~ Michael A. and Betty Jane Cawley
~ Noble Research Institute