Dr. Samuel P. Ellison, Jr., professor emeritus
and holder of the Alexander P. Deussen Professorship in Energy
Resources in the Department of Geological Sciences, passed away
on June 4, 1999, at the age of 84.
Sam arrived at UT in 1948 to begin teaching petroleum geology and general
geology. These were subjects that he could make come alive. His own research
interests were in conodont biostratigraphy, a field in which he was a respected
leader. He became chairman in 1952 and for the next ten years he devoted
his life to the improvement of the department and its resources.
Sam enjoyed teaching, both at the freshman level and in the advanced subjects
of his specialties: micropaleontology and subsurface geology. One student
who had completed his master's degree and then applied for a position with
a company in the early '50s, was told "go back and take Professor Ellison's
course in subsurface geology and we will hire you." Many students thought
that his tests were hazardous because he gave information that had nothing
to do with the question being asked. He expected the student to be able
to pick out the pertinent information needed to answer the question!
In 1953, Sam founded the Geology Foundation, a vision that was realized
by the donations of the many alumni and other friends of the department.
The foundation has made it possible for many faculty and students to travel
to meetings to report on research, some of which was also supported by
the foundation. Endowed professorships and chairs, funded by donations
to the foundation, have been instrumental in acquiring and retaining top
faculty. All-in-all, Sam's Geology Foundation has been a strong influence
in the development of the department into one with a world-class reputation.
(Geology is still the only department at UT Austin that has its own foundation.)
Friends and colleagues of the Geology Foundation Advisory Council established
a fund in Sam's honor upon his retirement in 1979: the Samuel P. Ellison,
Jr. Fund. Retirement for Sam really just meant the end of organized classes
and committee responsibilities. He contined with his research and was willing
to instruct anyone who would stop to listen.
After serving as department chairman, he continued to direct the Geology
Foundation. In 1970, he became the acting dean of the newly organized College
of Natural Sciences until the search committee found a permanent dean.
He also served on many university committees, prominent ones being the
Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility (1968-1970)
and the Energy Research Group (1972-1979), with earlier stints on university
policy-making committees, including the Faculty Council, the Graduate Assembly
(serving two years as chairman), and the Faculty Advisory Committee on
Policy. Within the department he served several times as the faculty sponsor
to the University Student Geological Society and Sigma Gamma Epsilon.
Sam served as secretary-treasurer of the Society of Exploration Mineralogists
and Paleontologists for five years, as president in 1959, and was made
an "Honorary Member" in 1975. In 1971, as a distinguished lecturer of the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), he spoke on "Geology
of the Middle East." The same year, he was honored by Phi Kappa Phi, a
national honor society, and he was awarded honorary membership in the Dad's
Association of the University of Texas. The next year he was elected vice
president of AAPG. In June 1976 he taught a short course on conodonts at
the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sam received several impressive awards
in 1977: the G. H. Pander Gold Medal Award from the Pander Society and
an AAPG Distinguished Service Award.
At Sam's retirement dinner-dance, in spite of his objections, there were
several speeches praising him for his contributions to the maturation of
the geological sciences and university administration since his arrival
in 1948. Steve Clabaugh outlined Sam's efficient tenure as chairman and
pointed out some significant achievements for which Sam was singularly
accountable: for example, raising faculty salaries to an acceptable level
for the first time in history, and realizing the need for, and then becoming
the driving force behind, the concept of alumni support which culminated
in the organization of the Geology Foundation. A. R. Schrank, then dean
of the College of Natural Sciences, stated that Sam's dedication to the
elimination of mediocricy established the direction for the new college.
Peter T. Flawn, then president of the University (and holder of the L.
T. Barrow Professorship in Mineral Resources in the department) praised
Sam for his strong support during Pete's early career at the University
and for his high level of cooperation during Pete's directorship of the
Bureau of Economic Geology. On behalf of the faculty of the geography department,
George Hoffman presented Sam with a handsome certificate enumerating his
role in the development of geography as a viable department at UT. Last,
Sam received a clock from the department as a momento of the occasion.
Sam kept busy after retirement, writing a textbook on the "Geology of Texas" (unfortunately,
never completed) and giving lectures at numerous universities. Possibly
his proudest moment came when he gave the dedicatory address at his alma
mater for the W. D. Keller Geology Auditorium at the University of Missouri.
Walter Keller was Sam's idol as an outstanding teacher/researcher.
Sam was born on July 1, 1914, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Samuel Porter
and Mary Francis Edwards Ellison. He was raised in Raytown, Missouri. He
graduated from high school in 1930 as valedictorian of his class. He earned
his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Missouri at Kansas
City and his master's and PhD degrees from the University of Missouri at
Columbia. While at the University, he met Dottie, who became his lifelong
companion when they were married on June 9, 1940. He taught at the University
of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy from 1939 to 1944. From 1944
to 1948 he was a geologist for Stanolind Oil and Gas Company in Midland
and Wichita Falls, Texas.
Dr. Ellison is survived by his wife, Dottie Ellison of Round Rock, Texas,
and his sons and daughters-in-law, Dave and Ruth Ellison of Englewood,
Colorado, John and Sherri Ellison of College Station, Texas, and Steve
and Kitsy Ellison of Georgetown, Texas. He is also survived by six grandchildren
and one great-grandchild.
<signed>
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The University of Texas at Austin
<signed>
John R. Durbin, Secretary
The General Faculty
This memorial resolution was prepared by a special committee consisting
of Professors William R. Muehlberger (chair), Earle F. McBride, and Keith
P. Young.
Distributed to the Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, the
Executive Vice President and Provost, and the President on December
7, 1999. Copies
are available on request from the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22,
F9500. This resolution is posted under "Memorials" at:
http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/ .
