Former CIAA President Dr. Bishop Patterson passes

Former CIAA President Dr. Bishop Patterson passes

January 29, 2009

Elizabeth City State University was saddened to announce the death and funeral arrangements of Dr. Bishop Marvin Patterson, a retired professor emeritus. Dr. Patterson's funeral was held on January 27 at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church where he had attended and served in leadership roles for many years. See The Daily Advance for a full view of the obituary (January 25 edition).

In 2007, ECSU renamed a building in his honor. The building had formerly been named McDonald Dixon Hall in honor of a former university trustee. It is now known as McDonald Dixon and Bishop M. Patterson Hall. In addition to renaming the building, the university unveiled a portrait of Patterson and his wife, Kathryn Isabelle Gordon Patterson. Dr. Patterson became Department Chairman and Professor of Industrial Arts at Elizabeth City State College in 1965 and served as chairman until 1992.

During his tenure at ECSU, Dr. Patterson developed the proposal and plans to build the current building that houses industrial technology classes. He also chaired the task force for the feasibility of the university's weekend college program.

From 1986 to 1998, Dr. Patterson served as the first director of the ECSU Weekend College. Dr. Patterson also served as President and Vice President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Chairman of the CIAA Scholarship Committee, and chairman of the ECSU Athletics Committee for 22 years.

The ECSU Foundation manages the Bishop and Kathryn Patterson Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of the couple. Regarding the recent death of Dr. Bishop M. Patterson, ECSU Chancellor Willie J. Gilchrist released the following statement:

"Elizabeth City has suffered a great loss. Dr. Patterson gave his time and his expertise to many boards and committees in Elizabeth City and the region. Not only did Dr. Patterson make his mark on the city, but he also had a profound impact on Elizabeth City State University as an educator, mentor, friend and philanthropist."

"When I became the Chancellor in 2007, Dr. Patterson was the first person to make a significant contribution, which led to an endowment that carries his name. His six-figure commitment was matched with a $250,000 gift from the C.D. Spangler Foundation and a $500,000 gift from the State of North Carolina's Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund, which resulted in a gift of more than $1 million. This gift will fund the Kathryn G. and Bishop M. Patterson Endowed Professorship in Industrial Engineering Education. I am proud that his legacy will live on for future generations of students."

"When I was a student, I had the utmost respect for Dr. Patterson. Since I returned to ECSU that respect blossomed into a valued friendship, and I will miss our talks during our Saturday morning breakfasts. I am proud to have known this great man who meant so much to so many."