Stephen W. Rector, president, CEO and co-founder of RIM Operating Inc. located in Englewood, Colo., and his wife, Susan, have pledged $1 million to the University of Missouri-Rolla.

The Rectors’ gift will fund scholarships for petroleum engineering and geological engineering students, with first priority given to students interested in petroleum engineering.

“The Rector family’s gift will help ensure that students interested in studying petroleum engineering and geological engineering will have access to a UMR education,” says UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III. “We are grateful to the Rectors for their generosity and for sharing our vision of the importance of educating today’s students to face tomorrow’s challenges.”

Through their gift, the Rectors hope to help students with similar backgrounds.

“Financial aid was very important to my education and was the determining factor in my selection of petroleum engineering as a career,” Stephen Rector says. “I have never regretted that decision and have thoroughly enjoyed my years in the oil and gas business. We hope to impact future petroleum engineering students in a similar manner.”

A UMR graduate, Rector received bachelor of science and master of science degrees in petroleum engineering in 1972 and 1973, respectively. In 2001, UMR honored him with a professional degree in petroleum engineering. He currently serves on the board of directors of the MSM-UMR Alumni Association and is a member of the UMR Order of the Golden Shillelagh.

Rector is the co-founder, owner, president or chairman of nine separate companies in the oil and gas business. The companies’ activities have included coal bed methane development in Wyoming, exploration using 3-D seismic technology in the Texas Gulf Coast, conventional oil and gas producing operations in seven Midwestern and Western states, and carbon dioxide production in New Mexico.

Rector began working for Shell Oil in various engineering and management capacities, later working in management positions for Petro-Lewis Corp. This industry experience gave him the invaluable background needed for the successful founding and operation of the nine companies.