Hall of Fame
Jim Burkhart, one of the “Junction Boys” as a Texas A&M football player for then head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in the mid-1950s, has worked in oil and gas exploration and production since 1957. After he and his wife Jere Lynn moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1998, he reintroduced himself to the ranching business and it remains a passion today. Burkhart became familiar with Faulkner when his grandson earned an athletic scholarship years ago, and has been a friend and supporter of the University ever since. He is a past director of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and has served on the boards of Lubbock Country Club, the Texas Tech Museum Association, the Ranching Heritage Association and the Texas Tech Foundation Board.
