��ݮ��Ƶ

The ��ݮ��Ƶ Landman Association hosted the monthly meeting of the Michael Late Benedum Chapter (MLBC) of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) on September 14th in the Andrews Hall Great Room.

Hosting the meeting served as the most recent example of the growth of the Land and Energy Management program at Marietta and the professional development opportunities available to the students involved in it since it became accredited by the AAPL in 2016.

Tina Thomas, Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Land & Energy Management, advocated for the meeting to take place on Marietta’s campus, aware of the benefits engagement with industry professionals provides students.  

More than 50 professional landmen were in attendance representing nearly 20 companies, including EQT Corporation and Percheron Energy, throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

“It’s nice to have the regional community of land professionals come to ��ݮ��Ƶ to see for themselves the quality program we are developing in Land & Energy Management,” Thomas said. “This event gave them an opportunity to meet some of the talented students in the Land & Energy Management program and to showcase the Marietta campus and what we have to offer.”

A networking and cocktail hour kicked off the evening’s events, offering six students the chance to discuss their summer internship experiences.

Gracie Haas ’18 (Marietta, Ohio) was excited to not only discuss the work she did with WCM Resources, LLC in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but also to meet regional landman professionals and learn about their varied jobs and experiences within the industry.

Even the professionals in attendance recognized the overall benefit such events offer.

“Face-to-face interactions are much better than any email or even a telephone call,” said Richard Dailey, of Alliance Petroleum Corporation. “Events like this are great for students as well as us older guys. It reminds us how we got into the business.”

Morgan Griffith, a member of the MLBC for over six years and current education chair, was excited to see students and members of the chapter connect.

“I’ve met so many good people and made so many great connections through the chapter,” she said. “It’s (AAPL) a great organization, so I’m happy we’re here engaging with many possible future members.”

Griffith provided a short presentation on the history of oil and gas in Ohio after which dinner was served and Stephen Bupp, of EQT, spoke about “Route Planning: A Landman's Role.”

Several Marietta faculty and staff members, including Associate Provost Mark Miller, Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering Ben Ebenhack and Director of Career Services Hilles Hughes had lively discussions with many of the landmen in attendance about the industry and the competitive skill sets Marietta’s Land and Energy Management students have the opportunity to develop.

“Having events such as the AAPL dinner provides a great opportunity for ��ݮ��Ƶ students, faculty and staff to showcase the merits of our "pioneering" educational environment,” Hughes said. “The Career Center looks forward to building mutually rewarding recruiting relationships with the employers present.”