Pat S. Bolin ’73
A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Pat S. Bolin ’73 arrived on the Hilltop to study psychology with a minor in business. He joined Phi Gamma Delta, participated in intramural sports and spent his summers working in the oil fields – an experience that helped spark the entrepreneurial ambitions that would shape his career.
After graduation, Bolin began his career as a landman before co-founding Eagle Oil & Gas Co. with his father, D. Phil Bolin, and Warren Ayres, continuing three generations of the Bolin family’s involvement in the oil and gas industry. Today, Eagle and its private investment holding company, EagleCorp Inc., have operations across 10 states.
Bolin’s entrepreneurial reach extends beyond Eagle. Throughout his career, he has pursued ventures in minerals and royalties, energy investment and family-owned enterprises, reflecting a broad interest in building and supporting businesses across the energy sector.
His business interests have also crossed industries, including banking, insurance, healthcare and luxury goods. Through investments and leadership roles in a variety of ventures, Bolin has built a career defined by entrepreneurship and a willingness to pursue opportunities well beyond oil and gas.
Bolin has maintained a deep commitment to SMU. He has served on the Cox School of Business Executive Board since 2007 and established the Pat and Jane Bolin B.B.A Scholars Endowment Fund in 2008. He served on the steering committee for SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign and supports the Jane and Pat Bolin Endowed Director of the Maguire Energy Institute. He is also an investment committee member of the Mustang Spindletop Investment Fund and a longtime supporter of the Mustang Club and Meadows Museum.
His service extends throughout Dallas. A member of the Salesmanship Club since 1986, Bolin has held several leadership roles, including tournament chairman for the 2006 EDS Byron Nelson Championship. His civic involvement has included the Highland Park Education Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Dallas Advisory Board, Dallas Museum of Natural History and Goodwill Industries of Dallas. He is also a founding member and past president of the Dallas Producers Club and co-founder and past president of the Dallas Hard Hatters.
Bolin received the Cox School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 and the Texas Top Producer CEO Award from the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
Together, Bolin and his wife, Jane, are longtime members and supporters of Highland Park United Methodist Church and support the Wesley-Rankin Community Center and Vision Africa. His connection to SMU is also a family tradition: His brother, Dan Bolin ’72, and mother, Aurora Sterling Bolin, both studied at SMU. Pat and Jane Bolin have two children, Philip Houston Bolin and Ross Sterling Bolin, and four grandchildren: Knox, Walker, Lottie and Bo.