Missouri University of Science and Technology announced that alumnus Michael J. “Mike” McEvilly, global oil and gas exploration executive and vice president of fabrication at Morrison Energy, was elected as the new president of the Board of Trustees. McEvilly begins his two-year term effective April 2026 and succeeds alumnus Steven Wunning, who is stepping down from the presidency and continuing as a board member.

Since joining the Missouri S&T Board of Trustees in 2019, McEvilly has been a steady influence in the university’s advancement. He led the Academy of Engineering Management as president from 2022-24, following his 2011 induction into that academy and the Academy of Civil Engineering. He also led the Miner Alumni Association as president from 2020-22 and served the organization in other key roles starting in 2010. In 2024, McEvilly’s longstanding service was honored with his induction as an Honorary Knight of St. Patrick—one of Missouri S&T’s most distinguished recognitions for its most steadfast allies.

“Mike is highly respected across the board and deeply invested in Missouri S&T’s future,” says Chancellor Mo Dehghani. “His collaborative leadership and unwavering commitment strengthen our trustees and inspire all who have the privilege of working alongside him.”

“I’m honored to serve as president of the Board of Trustees,” says McEvilly. “I look forward to supporting Chancellor Dehghani and Missouri S&T with a future-ready vision, partnering with
my fellow trustees, campus leadership, the Rolla community, and the Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation Board, as we continue to guide S&T’s strategic progress.”

McEvilly’s leadership also spans the TKE International Fraternity, where he chairs the Grand Council’s Board of Directors, serves on the TKE Foundation Board, and advises the Beta‑Eta chapter of the Missouri S&T campus, where he led the capital campaign that built the chapter’s new house in 2017. In 2019, TKE honored McEvilly with its Alumnus of the Year and Fraternity for Life awards.   

McEvilly earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and engineering management from Missouri S&T in 1980 and 1981. Over his 45‑year oil‑industry career, he has built extensive expertise in offshore upstream development of floating production units. He joined Morrison Energy in 2022 after senior roles with Husky Energy (now Cenovus Energy), Hess Corporation (now Chevron), Spitzer Industries and Helix Energy Solutions. From 1985-2007, he advanced through Anadarko Petroleum to worldwide facilities and construction manager, where he led the development of the Independence Floating Hub—the industry’s deepest and most productive ultra‑deepwater processing platform of its time.

McEvilly and his wife, Mary Ellen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering management
from Missouri S&T in 1981, reside in Spring, Texas, where he has served Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in many volunteer leadership roles. The McEvilly’s two adult children and four grandchildren live nearby in the Houston area.

Paul A. Lang, former chief executive officer of Arch Resources Inc. and Core Natural Resources (created in the merger of Arch and Consol Energy), a global coal producer, has been named vice president of the board. Lang earned a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from S&T in 1983 and is a 2006 graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. Lang was inducted into S&T’s Mining and Metallurgical Academy in 2010 and received an Award of Professional Distinction in mining engineering in 2006. Among his many contributions to the field, Lang served as chairman of the board of the National Mining Association and formerly chaired the University of the Wyoming School of Energy Resources Council.

Outgoing president Steven Wunning joined the Board of Trustees in 2008 and served as vice president from 2022-24 and president from 2024-26. In his 41-year career at Caterpillar, he held a variety of leadership roles and was elected corporate vice president in 1998 and group president and executive office member in 2004, a position he held until his retirement in 2015. Wunning earned a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1973 and an Executive Master  of Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1987. Missouri S&T honored him with an Award of Professional Distinction in 2004.   

“I want to thank Steve for his outstanding leadership and years of dedicated service,” says Chancellor Mo Dehghani. “We’re grateful he’ll continue serving on the Board of Trustees. His insight and consistent guidance will remain invaluable as we move forward.”

McEvilly will convene his first meeting as board president this September in Rolla. The Board of Trustees brings together alumni and friends whose accomplishments and insight help chart Missouri S&T’s future. Its mission spans advising the chancellor, championing the university’s goals to key stakeholders, and securing vital support.

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.