Murray Energy executive to deliver Poundstone Lecture

Ryan Murry

Ryan Murray, vice president of operations for Murray Energy Corporation, will speak on Thursday, September 17, as part of West Virginia University's Department of Mining Engineering's William N. Poundstone Lecture Series.

Ryan Murray, vice president of operations for Murray Energy Corporation, will speak on Thursday, September 17, as part of West Virginia University's Department of Mining Engineering's William N. Poundstone Lecture Series.

The lecture, entitled "Murray Energy Corporation and the Coal Industry in America," will begin at 5:15 p.m., in Grand Hall A of the Erickson Alumni Center.

Murray, who earned his bachelor's degree in mining engineering from WVU in 2002, joined Murray Energy Corporation in 1994. Run by his father, Robert E. Murray, a 58-year veteran of the coal mining industry, Murray Energy Corporation produces 85 million salable tons of coal each year. He has worked at numerous surface and underground coal mines in a variety of positions, from hourly laborer and foreman, to superintendent and general manager. In his current role, he oversees mining and processing operations for 17 Murray Energy Corporation mining complexes in five states.

In 2009, Murray was awarded the Calvin Kidd Fellowship Award from the WVU student chapter of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration and the John T. Boyd Memorial Young Engineer Award by the SME Pittsburgh Section in recognition of engineering professionalism. He serves on executive committees for SME and is president-elect of the board of directors for the Ohio River Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Department of Mining Engineering established the William N. Poundstone Lecture Series in 2000 to honor Poundstone, a distinguished alumnus of the Department, and to bring mining industry experts to campus to share their expertise with students and faculty. Poundstone passed away earlier this year in July. To honor his legacy, the Department of Mining Engineering will host a memorial service at 4 p.m., at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Both events are open to the public.

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