An alumnus of Texas Tech University has given his alma mater $15-million to endow its Department of Petroleum Engineering, reports the university.

The donation from Bob L. Herd, a 1957 graduate who majored in petroleum engineering and later founded Herd Producing Company, in Tyler, Tex., will result in the department being named for him.

The donation will help the department recruit and retain faculty members, says Pam Eibeck, dean of the College of Engineering, in a report published by The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Mr. Herd, who has put no restrictions on his gift, credited the university for his success.

“My family and I are pleased that we are able to help Texas Tech provide the educational foundation for future petroleum engineers, like Texas Tech provided me many years ago,” he said. “It was this education that made this donation possible.”