George Mitchell/Heep Chair established in physics

Continuing his support of the study of cosmology and experimental physics at Texas A&M University, George P. Mitchell ’40 has donated $500,000 to the Department of Physics which, with matching funds from the Heep Foundation, establishes the Mitchell/Heep Chair in Experimental High Energy Physics.

Mitchell, former chairman and chief executive officer of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., is a distinguished graduate of Texas A&M’s Department of Petroleum Engineering and a longtime benefactor of Texas A&M. Generous in giving both funding and time to his alma mater, he is credited with many gifts that include the Mitchell/Heep Chair in Theoretical High Energy Physics, the George P. & Cynthia W. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and the Stephen Hawking Chair in Fundamental Physics

“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Mitchell for his continued patronage of the physics department at Texas A&M,” said Ed Fry, department head. “His vision of studying the far reaches of space enables us to bring in the top scientists in the field.”

“Mitchell, a 1940 distinguished graduate of Texas A&M’s Department of Petroleum Engineering, made his career in energy and real estate development. He founded Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. Throughout his successful business career, Mitchell cultivated interests in philanthropy, civics and global issues, ranging from the environment to the implications of science and technology.

George P. and Cynthia W. Mitchell, one of the contributors to the Mitchell/Heep Chair in Theoretical High Energy Physics

“Mr. Mitchell continues to support the department in many different ways, and we are certain that this new venture will be a success that will generate additional emphasis on advancing the study of physics at Texas A&M,” said H. Joseph Newton, dean of the College of Science.

The Chair is part of the Heep Matching Funds program at Texas A&M and will be credited to the “One Spirit, One Vision” campaign at the university. The establishment and endowment of the Heep Foundation was the culmination of more than a half century of legendary devotion to Texas A&M University by Herman F. and Minnie Belle Heep. Herman F. Heep ’20 served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College System from 1957, and at the time of his death in 1960, he held the position of Vice President of the Board. In addition, Heep was a founder of the Texas A&M Development Foundation, serving as its chairman from its creation in 1953 until his death.