Frank W. “Billy” Harrison III
Frank “Billy” Harrison III was initiated into Gamma Chapter in 1973. He received a Bachelor of Science in geology from LSU in 1976. While at LSU, he served as treasurer of Gamma Chapter in 1976 and was named Kappa Sigma of the Year for Gamma Chapter in 1976. Also is a member of the LSU Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor. He received a Master of Science in geology from LSU in 1979.
From 1979-1980 Harrison worked as an exploration geologist at Amoco Production Company, and from 1980-1988, he was employed in the same capacity at Quintana Petroleum Corporation.
In 1988, he co-founded Houston Energy, L.P., a company that explores for oil and gas in South Louisiana, Gulf Coast Texas, West Texas, and in offshore, shelf and deepwater areas off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Houston Energy, L.P. has an office in Lafayette with corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas.
Harrison’s professional affiliations include membership in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (Houston), Independent Petroleum Association of America Society of Independent Professional Earth Science, and Louisiana Association of Independent Producers and Royalty Owners.
Among his civic activities, Harrison has served on the board of the LSU Geology Department, LSU Field Camp Committee, and LSU Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the West University Baptist Church, and he is also a member of the Petroleum Club of Houston, Braeburn Country Club, and the YMCA Downtown.
Harrison’s father, Frank W. Harrison Jr., went to LSU (Gamma Chapter ’47) and was inducted into Gamma Chapter’s Hall of Honor in 2005.
Harrison and his wife Ann Hegenwald Harrison have two children: Will, who attended LSU and received a Master of Business Administration, and Andy, an LSU undergraduate majoring in geology who also played football for LSU.
Harrison and his wife established an Endowed Chair in the LSU Department of Geology, the Billy and Ann Harrison Endowed Chair Sedimentation. They also fund the Billy and Ann Harrison Endowed Top 100 Scholarships, the Harrison Distinguished Professorship in Geology, and Houston Energy Distinguished Professorship for Graduate Students in Geology.
My LSU Giving Story
What is your favorite memory involving LSU?
My favorite memory is the friends I made.
What makes LSU unique?
LSU has a unique culture of friendliness.
Why did you choose to attend LSU?
I chose to attend LSU because of the great Department of Geology & Geophysics.
Why do you support LSU?
I support LSU to help better educate our students to be productive in society.
If someone asked you why he/she should make a gift to LSU, what would you say?
I would say that it’s an investment in our country’s future.
What is your vision for LSU, and how do you think philanthropy can drive that vision?
My vision is for LSU to become the best university academically and the most affordable.
What motivated you to join the LSU Foundation Board of Directors?
I was motivated to give back to the university both financially and of my time.