Of all of the people in the oil and gas industry in the U.S., Morris Foster ’65 is one of the best known. He’s left his mark on the field through a variety of leadership positions, including president of ExxonMobil Production Company in Houston.

Foster also holds a meaningful leadership position at A&M: he is chairman of the board of regents.

Morris Foster '65
Foster ’65

In recognition of his impact on both the energy industry and A&M, Foster is being honored with a named scholarship fund at Mays, provided by Tidewater Inc. The scholarship will support students in the Full-Time MBA Program. Tidewater has committed to a gift of $150,000, which will be matched to create an endowment of $300,000.

Tidewater Inc. owns 396 vessels, making it the world’s largest fleet of vessels serving the global offshore energy industry. Company Chairman, President and CEO Dean Taylor says Tidewater’s involvement at Mays makes sense because of the culture fit between the two organizations. Taylor says he appreciates the Aggie dedication to hard work and integrity, and recognizes the quality of the employees produced by Mays.

“Without integrity, it doesn’t matter how hard someone works, they are not going to be successful,” said Taylor. “A&M produces people of integrity.”

Taylor says Tidewater’s worldwide presence also makes Mays a good fit for the company, as the Full-Time MBA Program has an emphasis on international business.

“We are very pleased that Tidewater chose to invest in Mays, and to double the impact of the action by using it as an opportunity to honor a great Aggie, Morris Foster,” said Mays Dean Jerry Strawser. “Without corporate partners like Tidewater, we could not provide the world-class education we are known for at Mays. We are very thankful for this gift.”

Foster currently serves as the chairman of Stagecoach/Millcreek Resort. A native of Belton, Texas, he received his BS in mechanical engineering from A&M. Upon graduation, he joined Exxon and served in a number of production engineering and management assignments in California, Louisiana, and Texas.

Foster was inducted into A&M’s Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 1993. In 1995, he returned to Houston and was appointed a senior vice president and a member of the management committee of Exxon Company, USA, with responsibility for the company’s upstream business. He was appointed president of Exxon Upstream Development Company in 1998; and, following the merger of Exxon and Mobil, was named to the position of president, ExxonMobil Development Company.

He was named to the position of president, ExxonMobil Production Company and vice president, Exxon Mobil Corporation in 2004.

Foster is on the Board of Scott & White Medical Institute, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, Greater Houston Partnership and First State Bank of Temple, Texas. He is also a member of the American Petroleum Institute, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Texas Oil and Gas Association.