Evans to Receive Chancellor's Medallion

Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter will present John G Evans III with the Chancellor’s Medallion at the university’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2016.

The Chancellor’s Medallion is given at the sole discretion of the Chancellor to recognize an alumnus who has excelled in both their educational and professional careers. The award recipients will have earned at least one degree from Montana Tech and will have made significant academic related contributions including professional publications, holding faculty positions, advising graduate students, and participating in academic research.

“I am honored to present Montana Tech alumnus and long-time faculty member John Evans with the Chancellor’s Medallion,” noted Montana Tech Chancellor Don Blackketter. “John has been the foundation of our Petroleum Engineering Department for 25 years. He has made positive impacts on our students, alumni, the department, and our community. Many in our community know John and Gaye for their servant actions and warm compassion. This award is well-deserved.”

Awarding of the Chancellor’s medallion began in 2013 with Dr. Joseph E. Cavanaugh and Dr. Lee W. Saperstein receiving the honor. In 2014, Dr. Douglas Fuerstenau was given the honor and in 2015 Dr. Frank Aplan and Floyd C. Bossard were presented with the award.

ABOUT THE AWARDEES: John G Evans III B.S. Petroleum Engineering, 1965

John “Jocko” Evans was born and raised in Butte, Montana where he received his bachelor of science degree from the Montana School of Mines in Petroleum Engineering 1965. He later went on to receive his master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. John began his career with AMOCO Production Company where he served on the North Sea Gas Pipeline feasibility study group and completed a detailed reservoir engineering report for the Montrose Oil Field in the North Sea. In 1978, John left AMOCO to become Vice President of Operations at Kelpinger Operating Company in Casper, Wyoming, where he managed the Northern Rocky Mountain consulting area.

He and his wife Gaye are partners in Oilfield Consultants, Inc. As an owner and professional engineer, John provides petroleum consulting in projects covering all the Rocky Mountain States, Indonesia, Columbia, Libya and Cook Inlet, Alaska.

In 1991, John came back to his alma mater, Montana Tech, as an assistant professor in the Petroleum Engineering Department. He accepted the position of Department Head in 2003 and has built the department into one of the most reputable in the national. John was instrumental in the fundraising efforts to construct the new Natural Resources Building to house the growing enrollment in Petroleum Engineering.

John “retired” from teaching in 2008. His commitment to Montana Tech and the Petroleum Department never wavered as he continued to teach classes part-time and conduct research in support of the department’s mission. Through his tenure at Montana Tech, he has influenced and mentored hundreds of students. John knew the importance of connecting education with practical experience and created the summer petroleum field course for incoming sophomore students. His passion for connecting his students to industry professionals continued when he developed the Annual SPE Technical Symposium with Montana Tech’s Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter.

A generous contributor to Montana Tech, John has given back to his university both financially and personally. He has served on the boards for the Montana Tech Foundation, the Digger Athletics Association, the Montana Petroleum Association, and served on the Board of Directors for the Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

John and Gaye live in Butte and have two children John G Evans IV, Tracy Evans-Dyrdahl and two grandchildren; Jack and Sacha Dyrdahl.