Thomas T. "Jeff" Jefferies, III

Thomas T. “Jeff” Jeffries, III earned his bachelor’s degree in geophysics from Virginia Tech in 1965. He was one of the first two graduates to receive this degree. During his career, he held a number of senior technical and leadership positions at ExxonMobil, directing petroleum exploration activities around the world. Jeffries traveled extensively throughout his career and lived overseas on multiple occasions, leading projects in Singapore, Indonesia, and China. His final assignment was senior geoscience advisor for Exxon’s affiliates in Australia and the Far East. He retired in 1998 from ExxonMobil after 34 years of distinguished service.

A second generation Hokie and avid supporter of Virginia Tech, Jeffries was active on the College of Science Dean’s Roundtable. He also served on the Department of Geosciences Advisory Board for five years. A member of the university’s Ut Prosim Society and Legacy Society, Jeffries established the Thomas T. Jeffries Geological Sciences Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of his father, a 1936 Virginia Tech graduate, and in support of undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate academic merit and leadership within the Department of Geosciences or Virginia Tech.

Active in his community, Jeffries served many years as president of the Cove Creek Conservation and Wildlife Foundation in Chevy Chase, Md. Jeffries’ interest in 19th century history, led him to research and write the book, Kenton Harper of Virginia: Editor, Citizen, Soldier, which was published by the Augusta County (Staunton, Va.) Historical Society in December 2013.

Jeffries passed away on January 8, 2016.