2025 Distinguished Alumni Mentor of the Year: Bart Carpenter
Tell me a bit about your work and how your role has changed over the years.
I was hired by Conoco in Ponca City, Oklahoma right after graduating, and I spent almost 30 years in various roles across the country. I started in engineering, and when I retired, I was the strategy manager, responsible for improving our competitive position and understanding what legislation was on the horizon and how it would impact Conoco's refining network.
After retiring from Conoco, I moved back to Colorado. I worked for a couple of engineering firms, and now I'm almost fully retired. I still consult on a limited basis as I still enjoy technical and business challenges.
What inspired you to take on a mentorship role?
I’m on the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering advisory board. What I enjoy most about it is the opportunity to interview graduating seniors and graduate students. The Alumni Student Mentor Program is another way I enjoy engaging with students.
Without exception, every mentee I’ve had has been very self-motivated. They're interested in everything. They appreciate the time I spend with them. I’m actually a bit surprised that more students don’t take advantage of the program because alums can give a helpful perspective. We don’t help with schoolwork—none of us remember that stuff—but we do talk about career paths and offer advice on how to find that first job.
Of note, I've continued mentoring a student who graduated three years ago—he wanted to keep going. I am more than happy to help someone learn the lessons I have learned. And we actually hired one of my mentees. She didn't spend a long time with us, because she got a nice opportunity with Chevron, which is what she really wanted.
How has the ChBE department changed since you graduated?
One big improvement is the department has teaching professors like Wendy Young and Charlie Nuttelman who are dedicated to instructing, something we didn't have back in my day. Many professors then were strong researchers, but not necessarily good teachers. We consistently hear rave feedback about the teaching professors' quality of instruction during our advisory board exit interviews.
How has the chemical engineering workforce changed since you graduated?
When I graduated about 80 percent of students were going into oil, gas or chemical industries—and most of us had jobs lined up before graduation. These days, it seems like the majority of students don't secure jobs until several months after graduation.
That said, the range of opportunities are much broader now. No one was working in batteries when I graduated, and now it’s a major field. Back in my day, it was just chemical engineering. Today students have access to more biological engineering classes. For those interested in medical school, biological engineering is now a great pathway.
What types of companies should graduating students consider when starting their careers?
I have a strong opinion on this—not everybody would agree. I've always told the students I mentor that working for an operating company is more rewarding than an engineering company. I've worked for both. At an operating company, you always have more work than you can possible get done and lots of variety. You work on projects, get involved in turnarounds, troubleshoot operating issues in the plant and the list goes on and on. In contrast, engineering companies are always hunting for more work to keep everyone billable. It’s a much different environment.
What do you hope to pass on to the next generation of chemical and biological engineers?
I hope that once they've graduated, they’ll feel motivated to give back through mentoring or by getting involved with the department’s advisory board. It’s so easy to do, especially with Zoom.
I also tell students that there aren’t enogh chemical engineering opportunities in Colorado, so if you want to hit the ground running, you need to be flexible about location—at least at the start of your career. Get experience, build your skills and make yourself marketable. Then, if you want to come back to Colorado, you can.
I tell students, 'You work hard. You pay a lot of money for a ChemE degree. Make it work for you.'
What would you say to fellow alumni to encourage them to become mentors?
I would say, it's very rewarding and it's not a big time commitment. I spend an hour with Sam once a month. It gives you a chance to listen to young students.
Bart Carpenter (ChemEng’81) believes strongly in the importance of giving back. Since 2013, Carpenter has contributed as a member of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering External Advisory Board and continues to mentor students through the Alumni Student Mentor Program.
This year, Carpenter was named the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Mentor of the Year for his work with Sam Wiesenauer, a first-year chemical engineering student with interests in energy production, renewable energy and nuclear energy. Carpenter previously received the award in 2016.
“I’m honored to receive this award and grateful to have such an enthusiastic student to mentor," Carpenter said.
With nearly 30 years of experience at Conoco/ConocoPhillips, Carpenter began mentoring Wiesenauer in October 2024. Since then, the two have met nearly every month, typically over Zoom, and occasionally in person at the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building (JSCBB).
“In less than a year, I have become more confident, knowledgeable and analytical under Bart’s mentorship,” Wiesenauer said. “He’s always easy to talk to—it’s as natural as chatting with a friend. We’ve connected over shared interests like music, hiking, chemistry and stories from college life.”
Teaching Professor Wendy Young said Carpenter recently gave a technical talk to her process safety class and afterwards spoke with a student for “quite a while” about the petroleum refining industry.
“Bart’s gone above and beyond for all his mentees for years,” she said.
Wiesenauer said Carpenter’s decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, including work in biofuels “helps me get an inside perspective on what it’s like being an engineer.”
“We’ve discussed the pros and cons of working for large versus small companies, as well as potential internships,” Wiesenauer said. "His stories from working in the refining industry at Conoco have deepened my understanding of the business side of engineering and its connection to today’s supply and demand landscape.”
The two recently met on campus to discuss the future of the renewable energy industry.
“It was refreshing to discuss my passions with a professional who has worked decades in similar industries,” Wiesenauer said. “Bart shared an important piece of advice that involved satisfying your passions, skills and the market demand simultaneously. I’m excited to eventually work in the energy sector, and Bart’s insider perspective has furthered my anticipation. I plan to continue meeting with him throughout college and hope to strengthen our connection moving forward.”
Bart Carpenter's 1977 CU Boulder ID
Chemical and biological engineering alumni interested in becoming mentors can fill out this short form. Current ChBE students seeking a mentor can use this form. Mentor/mentee matches are arranged at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.