Tom Hamilton wanted to write a book, but oil almost got in the way.

This farm boy from Ohio has created business strategies for the biggest global oil companies in the world and negotiated deals with Sadaam Hussein’s uncle. He and his wife have raised children in the United States and United Kingdom. Yet he still finds time to enjoy car races and pheasant hunting.

Tom’s life began with hard work and he hasn’t slowed down since. He grew up outdoors on a farm, and played football and baseball. His active personality carried over to his school days, where he was class president in his junior and senior years.

Tom knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up. He knew he wanted to be outdoors, and studying geology was the best way to make that happen.

Tom fondly remembers Miss Helen Woods, a school teacher in his hometown. He says they used to sit on her porch swing solving all the world’s problems. Her nephew was Bud Holland, a legend in UND’s geology department. Talking about Bud was how Miss Helens convinced Tom to go to UND.

First things first, though. Tom earned his undergraduate degree at Capital University in Ohio and married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn.

After finishing his master’s and doctorate in geology at UND, Tom accepted an offer from Exxon and traveled around the globe as a geophysicist working with seismic data. It was this exposure to foreign operations that led to an international career in the global oil industry. When Tom and Carolyn’s oldest son was ten years old, and their youngest five, the family made its first move to London. Tom managed their North Sea operations, France, Germany, Holland, and parts of Africa.

Tom was sought after by many big oil companies during his career. He moved from Exxon to Phillips Petroleum and eventually joined Standard Oil where he was serving as the senior vice president of exploration when the company was purchased by British Petroleum. He became their general manager for East Asia, Australia, and Latin America and was then named chief executive officer of BP Exploration’s Frontier and International Operating Company.

His travel schedule often carried him more than 350,000 air miles a year, working with 40 different offices, in 18 time zones.

In 1991 Tom left the industry and finally wrote that book. But after four months, he was enticed by colleagues to start a new company. However, he ended up as executive vice president of Pennzoil Company and President of Pennzoil Exploration and Production Company until 1997.

EEX Corporation was the next giant to recruit Tom. He served as their chairman, president and chief executive officer until 2002.

Tom now divides his time between Medora Investments, several boards of directors and works diligently to educate on behalf of mental illness. It is a cause close to both Tom’s and Carolyn’s hearts. Their son, Brett, was diagnosed with a debilitating mental illness as a college freshman.

Through the oil industry, the Hamiltons were exposed to racing. Tom has spent time in the race pits and loves watching cart and open wheel racing.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, Tom also found the time to serve on the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation board of directors. He led as Foundation president from 2002 to 2003.

Tom feels his family has been fortunate to experience all they have. He also knows his boys have a unique appreciation for all we are blessed with as Americans.

Tom Hamilton, it’s been an adventurous path to The Sioux Award tonight. UND and the entire alumni family is proud of all you’ve accomplished. We’re most pleased to be able to honor you with our highest award this evening. Mr. Tom Hamilton, please come forward to accept your Sioux Award.