West Texas A&M to honor 1965 graduate with honorary doctorate during start ceremony

CANYON, Texas (BNN) - - Officials with West Texas A&M University announced that a 1965 graduate of the university will be honored at the university's commencement events on Saturday.

According to a news release, Bruce Thompson, a 1965 graduate who the university called a "farmer-turned-engineering pioneer," will be presented with an honorary Ph.D. in engineering from WT's College of Engineering at the commencement event at 6 p.m. Saturday in the First United Bank.

Thompson made his bachelor's in commercial arts from WT in 1965, the release said, coming prior to the university established an engineering program. After farming and ranching in Hartley for more than 40 years, Thompson invented Sand X, a process that separates oil from sand throughout the fracking procedure.

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"' Dr. Thompson' is going to take some getting utilized to," Thompson said in the release. "I'll most likely still be Bruce. I hardly know what to think of this. It is an honor, and I am honored, really."

Thompson's developments likewise include the Super Loop, which decreases most emissions of dangerous gases on well sites, and Sand L, which uniformly and safely gives of Sand X-filtered sand. According to the release, Thompson was named a WT Distinguished Alumnus in 2021.

" The commitment Thompson provides to the fracking and service market is motivating," WT President Walter Wendler said in the release. "He shows a real West Texas spirit. His work and patented inventions have actually really contributed to a more eco-friendly world."

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According to the release, the university gives honorary degrees to recognize quality in the fields of public affairs, the sciences, humanities and the arts, scholarship and philanthropy, company and education and social services.

" Dr. Thompson has actually repeatedly demonstrated engineering problem solving combined with a gratitude for humanity," Emily Hunt, the dean of WT's College of Engineering, stated in the release. "Through his resourcefulness, he has attained prominence through his efforts in commerce, technology, farming and industry, which form a record of accomplishment impressive to the citizens of West Texas, Texas and the nation."

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