Posted on March 25, 2026 by Sean M. Wood
Klesse College is emerging as a leading institution for producing engineers in support of the oil and gas industry in Texas. The university is located in the heart of the petroleum industry and its students have demonstrated a strong passion for the energy sector. Howard Energy Partners’ Chairman and CEO Mike Howard noted that UT San Antonio has not always been viewed as a major player in oil and gas.
That’s one of the reasons why Howard Energy Partners (HEP) pledged $125,000 to the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. The company wants it to become a pipeline for engineers passionate about energy and excited to join a growing industry.
HEP committed in December to donate $25,000 a year for five years to Klesse. The goal is to help turn the hometown university into a source of engineers for the petroleum industry to counter the narrative that the industry is shrinking.
“One of the misperceptions is that there’s going to be a rapid elimination of oil and gas over time due to an energy transition,” Howard said. “What physics and thermodynamics would tell us is that’sa myth. We have not invented ways to eliminate oil and natural gas from modern life.”
He said oil and gas are essential for making steel, concrete, plastics, fertilizer and other items needed for modern living. “Funding scholarships, programs, and endowments are part of our strategic approach to continue to attract people to our business.”
Howard made the first $25,000 gift in December. It breaks into three components: the Howard Energy Partners Endowed Fund at $10,000 a year designed with flexibility to support emerging opportunities and shifting priorities. The Howard Energy Partners Annual Scholarship at $5,000 a year will target mechanical and chemical engineering students. There is also a $10,000 annual gift as a corporate ambassador for the Student Success Center.
“This relationship is a reflection of Klesse College’s commitment to working closely with industry to prepare graduates who perform work critical to San Antonio, Texas, and the nation,” Dean Eric Brey said. “Howard Energy Partners is a leader in energy infrastructure. We have seen through our industry partnerships and company experiences with Klesse students that our students are passionate about the energy industry and how this work can support industry and people.”
Howard has provided numerous internships to UT San Antonio students dating to 2015 according to the company, growing from three in its first year to 10 in 2025. Additionally, the company has employed UT San Antonio graduates in multiple roles including accounting, cybersecurity, information technology and engineering.
“We have an established relationship with the university,” Howard said. “We have gained a lot of confidence watching the engineering program grow, and we have been getting quality engineers from out of UTSA. People want to stay and live in South Texas and the students from UTSA are really the students we want to attract into our program.”
— Sean M. Wood
