Abilene Christian University to present Fort Worth business leader with award For immediate release February 24, 1999 Abilene Christian University will present Fort Worth business leader Harrold Owen with ACU's College of Business Administration's Distinguished Business Leader of the Year award Thursday, Feb. 25, at a 6:30 p.m. reception and dinner at Ridglea Country Club. The annual award is given to a business leader who epitomizes the values that form the core mission of ACU's College of Business Administration, to educate students for Christian service and leadership in businesses and organizations throughout the world. "Harrold Owen models the kind of commitment to his family and Christian principles that is worthy of imitation," said Dr. Jack Griggs, dean of ACU's College of Business Administration. "He has been a long-time supporter of good causes of every kind, using his talents to help people who are not in position to help themselves." For 45 years Owen has revolutionized the oil industry with tools he designed for perforating oil wells -- charges launched into gas wells to fracture the underground formation and allow oil to flow. Only eight companies worldwide manufacture "shaped" charges, and Owen has owned three of them. The most recent, Owen Oil Tools Inc. is today's leader in perforating charges. Owen sold the company recently for $55 million. "The world has been pretty much coming to Fort Worth, Texas, for perforating charges for 45 years because of my dad," said Dean Owen, president of Owen Oil Tools. "He invented some of the very first perforating charges. Since then he's invented more than anybody else in the world." Owen attributes his success to a commitment to exceeding expectations and never being afraid to fail. He also recalls advice his father offered him years ago. "My dad used to tell me, 'Now don't get to thinking you did this -- because God did this," he said. ACU, founded in 1906, is a private, comprehensive university with an enrollment of more than 4,600 students. The university works to maintain an environment that encourages high quality academics, personal development, physical well-being and growth in Christian character. The university offers 117 bachelor's degree programs and 39 master's programs through the College of Biblical and Family Studies, the College of Business Administration, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School and the School of Nursing. The university also offers a doctoral program in ministry. ACU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. -30- If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@nicanor.acu.edu or call 915-674-2692. Last update: March 22, 1999 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@nicanor.acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/people/news/990224-howen.html