Samuel P. Ellison, Jr.

Samuel P. Ellison, Jr. (1914–1999) was a distinguished Professor of Geology at The University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Jackson School of Geosciences' Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. He joined UT in 1948 and held the Alexander P. Deussen Professorship in Energy Resources from 1972 until his retirement. Ellison was a visionary academic leader, serving as Department Chair (1952–1962) and Acting Dean of the College of Natural Sciences (1970). He pioneered research in conodont biostratigraphy and mentored 67 MA and 6 PhD students.

Ellison’s career spanned academia and industry, including roles at Stanolind Oil and Gas (1944–1948). He founded the Geology Foundation in 1953, which grew into a $50M+ endowment supporting scholarships, faculty chairs, and research. His awards include the G. H. Pander Gold Medal (1977), AAPG Distinguished Service Award (1977), and honorary society memberships. Post-retirement, he lectured globally and authored an incomplete textbook on Texas geology.

Ellison’s legacy includes institutional advancements, such as elevating geology faculty salaries and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. He served on university committees like the Faculty Council and Energy Research Group, and held leadership roles in professional societies like AAPG. His contributions were recognized through the Samuel P. Ellison, Jr. Fund established in his honor.