The University of Texas Naval ROTC Alumni

and

The Midshipmans Foundation

Award the first Distinguished Alumnus Award

to

Mr. James J. Mulva

It was a historic moment for the UT NROTC. Since it’s creation in 1940 by order of President Roosevelt at the suggestion of Fleet Admiral Nimitz, the University of Texas NROTC has graduated and commissioned over 3000 officers into the Navy and Marine Corps. This year, for the first time, the loyal and dedicated Alumni of the UT NROTC decided that it was time to honor fellow Alumni who have distinguished themselves after graduation and commissioning in a way to inspire and invoke pride in those Midshipmen and Officer Candidates laboring to join our ranks. The bar for selection to this honor was set very high indeed. Mr. James J. Mulva met the high standards easily.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008 a representative group of alumni and NROTC staff traveled to Houston and met with Mr. James J. Mulva. Mr. Mulva is the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of ConocoPhillips. Jim has held that position since 2004. Prior to that date, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of ConocoPhillips from 2002 until 2004. He was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips Petroleum from 1999 to 2002. He had served as Phillip’s President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994 until 1999. Prior to that time he served as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Mulva is currently serving as director of General Electric, a member of the Business Council, as well as the Board of Visitors for the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He served as Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute in 2006.

Mr. Mulva was born in 1946 and is from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree and received his master’s degree in business administration in 1969. Immediately after graduating, Mr. Mulva served his country as a U. S. Navy officer until he began his career with Phillips in 1973.

Following introductions and some interesting discussions on a wide range of subjects, humorous and serious, lunch was served in the ConocoPhillips dining room. In attendance representing ConocoPhillips were Mr. James Mulva, Mr. John Lowe, Executive Vice-President, Exploration and Production, and Mr. Jim Gallogly, Executive Vice-President, Refining Marketing and Transportation. Attending as representatives of the University of Texas NROTC unit and alumni were Rear Admiral J. Weldon Koenig, USN (Ret), Captain Max Miller, USNR (Ret), Captain Gabriel Salazar, USN, Major Fred Moon, USMC, (Ret), Captain Jack Ritter, USNR (Ret), Bob Brown, (former USMC), Bob Gardner, (former USMC), Lieutenant Walter Sack, and Midshipman 1/C Charles Tofel, Midshipman Battalion Commander.

Following lunch, Captain Salazar and the NROTC staff presented Mr. Mulva with a framed photo of the NROTC unit members standing in front of the University of Texas Tower. After the NROTC Unit presentation, Weldon Koenig and Fred Moon, presented Mr. Mulva a handsomely designed and framed Distinguished Alumnus Certificate. Bob Brown presented a specially created gold lapel pin with an orange UT in the center and UT NROTC DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS around the perimeter. Jack Ritter presented Mr. Mulva with a burnt orange windbreaker..

Mr. Mulva shared some of his thoughts about his student days. Like all of us, he had to work to make ends meet. One of his jobs was serving as dormitory supervisor. Weldon Koenig recalled some of his Admiral Rickover experiences. Bob Brown recalled delivering the Daily Texan (a common experience to all in attendance) and jerking sodas at the Night Hawk on South Congress. Everyone in attendance revisited times past and enjoyed a splendid historic event as brothers with a common bond.

We now officially have our first truly Distinguished Alumnus.

We all send our congratulations to Mr. James J. Mulva.