Dr. John T. Patton, a Fort Worth, Texas native, earned his BSc (1953), MS (1958), and PhD (1959) in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He joined Exxon USA as a section head responsible for research on enhanced petroleum operations in 1959. He held progressively responsible positions in Exxon until 1968 when he brought his extensive process design and operations experience to Michigan Tech as professor of Chemical Engineering plant design and economics.
In 1977 he left Michigan Tech to become Professor and Department Head of Chemical Engineering at New Mexico State University; a position he held until 1989 when he gave up his administrative responsibilities as Department Head. Dr. Patton retired as Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico State University in 1994. IN 1967 Dr. Patton founded a design and research corporation, Computer Bio/Engineering Institute Inc. of El Paso, Texas. As President and Chief Engineer, Dr. Patton maintains an active consulting practice on the design and operation of a multitude of chemical plants ranging from biosynthesis processes to oil field production facilities.
Dr. Patton has 26 patents and over 42 publications in areas of enhanced oil and gas recovery, biosynthesis, and advanced co-generation. Dr. Patton played a definitive early role in the quality of design Chemical Engineering experiences at Michigan Tech.
From 1995 Induction to the Department of Chemical Engineering Academy