Patterson speaks to future of CSC

Turman said the role of college president is not simply administrative. It’s a sacred trust and commitment to the ideals of education. There are several challenges, Turman added, and there will continue to be. “Dr. Patterson not only understands these challenges, but also demonstrates an exceptional blend of vision, passion and dedication that’s essential for seeing us through these turbulent times.”

Student Trustee Cooper Reichman said Patterson’s mindfulness and intentional energy are apparent in all his interactions, whether it be sophisticated questions or a simple handshake. “Knowing how decisive Dr. Patterson is, and how he chose to come to CSC, shows his commitment to . . . the past, present and future community of students, faculty and staff that have changed lives.”

Mayor George Klein spoke to Chadron’s history and strong sense of pride in the education system, as well as the growth of the college over time. “The Chadron community and Western Nebraska realize the strong bond with Chadron State College,” he said. Klein further added he and the rest of the City of Chadron are ready to work with Dr. Patterson to welcome new students and celebrate both the city and college.

Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar, president of the Chadron State Foundation Board, said she looks forward to working with Patterson.

“We are excited to continue promoting, creating, maintaining, and expanding opportunities that encourage future and current students to come to the nest and alumni to return to the nest,” she said.

Clayton Riesen, president of the Chadron State Alumni Board, said he appreciates Patterson’s positive attitude and friendly demeanor.

Kate Pope, president of the Professional Staff Association, said the ceremony symbolized the renewal of the campus’ collective commitment to the ideals of academic excellence, community engagement, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Brianna Smith, president of the Campus Activity Board, said the event was a time to reflect on the legacy of CSC, embrace the present, and look earnestly toward the future. She said Patterson has been present and encouraging with activities and clubs across campus.

“Your dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for all that you do,” she said.

Aubree Quast, president of the Student Senate, said when she met Patterson, she knew he was the leader CSC needed.

“As students, we were looking for a president who is active on campus, listens to us, and will lead us to a bright future. The work and energy Dr. Patterson has brought to our campus so far has been incredible. Students can see how willing he is to work with everyone and how he loves to help us find solutions to any issues,” she said.

Patterson came to CSC from the University of North Alabama in Florence. His six-year administrative progression at the University of North Alabama included service as associate vice president for enrollment management, chief enrollment officer, and chief enrollment officer and special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion with responsibility for both enrollment management, academic programs and centers, and diversity and inclusion.

In his keynote address, Dr. James Pruett shed some light on Patterson as a young professional. Pruett said he met Patterson 20 years ago at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Nursing and was his supervisor for about three years in the Office of Student Affairs.

“I was near the tail end of my professional career. Ron was the eager-to-learn, determined-to-succeed, young professional. He was a hard worker and a quick study. He was absolutely pivotal in everything we did to completely turn that office around,” Pruett said.

Pruett said each of Patterson’s associates he spoke to while preparing his remarks told him of Patterson’s basic goodness and determination to succeed.

“He’s decisive and can make tough decisions,” Pruett said. “He handled complex issues appropriately and with respect. Ron is able to communicate at the heart level in a personal and persuasive way.”

Pruett reviewed Patterson’s lifelong work ethic sharing a story about Patterson working in a grocery store as a young teenager to help with family finances.

“Ron did his best, had high goals, and strived to be an example for others. He was a dedicated student, a wonderful athlete, and a terrific basketball player. He was named the Mississippi high school Co-Player of the Year with Lorenzen Wright who went on to play 14 years in the NBA,” Pruett said.

After speaking with three of Patterson’s coaches, Pruett said they all described him as unselfish and a leader on and off the court.

“Ron Patterson is a special human being. He is now and always has been loved and respected by many,” Pruett said.

Pruett praised CSC for its long and successful history and said he feels the stars have aligned with Patterson’s arrival.

“We have the right person in the right place at the right time,” Pruett said.

In his address, Patterson told the audience he was honored by the NSCS’s trust in him to lead the historic institution and thanked Turman for his wisdom and support.

He acknowledged members of CSC’s leadership team, faculty, staff, and students for their dedication, abilities, and confidence in him. Patterson thanked his family, friends, and mentors who helped him through his career and education.

“Like the turtle on the fence post, I did not get here on my own,” he said. “My family gave me strong support and laid the foundation of my core values. The core values of trusting God in everything I do, hard work, individual responsibility, integrity, hope, respect for others, and humility have guided me throughout my life.”

He acknowledged work by his predecessors and the faculty and staff they hired.

In closing, Patterson announced the launch of the President’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative. The fund is a strategic response to the critical needs of the region, providing agile resources for program development, addressing workforce demands, forging strategic public-private partnerships, and enhancing curriculum development.

Following is a transcript of Patterson’s speech:

Good afternoon and thank you. Distinguished members of the Chadron State College family, Chancellor, Trustees, colleagues, community members, business partners, and my friends and family. I stand before you honored by your trust in me to lead this historic institution and inspired by your faith in me. I am overwhelmed by your presence here today---my sincere gratitude not only for your warm welcome since my arrival at Chadron State College, but most especially, for your continuing support, dedication, and commitment in advancing Chadron State College’s institutional excellence, distinction, and regional influence. It is such a privilege and honor to serve all of you as Chadron State College’s 12th president. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All of you are sharing one of your most precious gifts that you could possibly give: That is the gift of your presence, time, and support.

Thank you to Chancellor Paul Turman for his kind introduction. Thank you for your leadership in advancing the Nebraska State College System in becoming the premier system we are today. In my ten months in this role, Chancellor Turman has been a source of wisdom and support, and I am fortunate to be able to work alongside him. I would like to thank the Nebraska State College Board of Trustees, past and present, for entrusting me with the honor of serving this institution.

Thank you to all of you joining us today, whether watching online or here in Memorial Hall. I would like to recognize our distinguished guests who honor us by their presence: former Senator John Stinner, former CSC president Dr. Randy Rhine, alumni, students, faculty, deans, staff, administration, honored guests, family, and friends.

I want to recognize and thank the members of the Inauguration Committee, especially the chair, Julie Hasz. I also gratefully acknowledge the presence of distinguished delegates from various colleges and universities, including our sister institutions Peru State College and Wayne State College, as well as Doane University. I also want to thank College Relations, the conferencing staff, and to the maintenance, facilities, and custodial employees for all their hard work behind the scenes to make this day special. I also want to acknowledge the members of CSC’s leadership team, including our vice presidents, directors, deans, and department chairs. I have been so inspired by your dedication and ability, and I am forever grateful for your confidence in me.

Before getting into where we are headed as an institution and what it will take to get there, first, I’d like to extend my gratitude to the many people who have paved my way to this podium and moment in time. Like the turtle on the fence post, I did not get here on my own.

I would particularly like to thank Dr. Jim Pruett, my mentor, former supervisor, and most importantly, my friend. Thank you for your gracious and endearing remarks. Dr. Pruett has been a constant source of support for me and my family. I am grateful for his counsel, encouragement, and leadership which greatly influenced my journey to this podium today. Thank you, Jim!

Since this is a momentous occasion for me and Chadron State College, I have invited my family members and friends from Mississippi, Wisconsin, Alabama, Tennessee, and Ohio to share with us in this celebration, and I would like to introduce them to my CSC family. As you know, I am not a native Nebraskan. Growing up in a small town in northeast Mississippi, I come from humble beginnings. My community was my village, my refuge, and my solace. My family gave me strong support and laid the foundation of my core values. The core values of trusting God in everything I do, hard work, individual responsibility, integrity, hope, respect for others, and humility has guided me throughout my life. I aspire to bring these values with me as we work together at Chadron State College. I grew up in an extended family environment that included my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, three siblings, and cousins who are like siblings to me. This family now includes in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Many in this extended family are with me today. Thank you for being here. I love you all.

To my immediate family, I do want to recognize my loving, compassionate, and supportive wife: Jenny Patterson. Jenny has stood by my side, through thick and thin, since 1998; twenty-six years ago, I first laid eyes on a beautiful “brown eyed girl” and I told my coaching buddies I was going to marry her. In June we will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. Since our magical journey began in 1998, you have allowed me to DREAM BIG! We have had a wonderful life together, working, living, loving, and learning across five states. And for that I am forever grateful; our children, Olivia, and Braylon Patterson- my greatest blessings in this life; my sisters, Patsy and Donita; my brothers, Shawn and Bobby; and my nephews and nieces. I love you all.

When I learned I was going to be the President at Chadron State College, in typical Ron fashion, I started writing this speech. It just flowed. I knew whom I wanted to thank and what I wanted to say. Then, I came to this portion. This. This has taken me months to write. Everything you have already heard was easy. Everything after this will be easy. For this part -- I hit a roadblock. I want to honor my parents for everything they have done for me. It is especially hard to put into words – without becoming overly emotional – my deep appreciation for the love, guidance, support and grace my parents have had for me on this journey. To my late father, Robert Patterson, in some ways this is my eulogy to you. My father was hardworking, strong, competitive, and compassionate. He also taught me how to barbecue, a true-life skill. He and my mother instilled in me my competitive spirit.

My dad passed away two years ago. He passed before I received my doctorate. I couldn’t call him and share that I had been chosen as the 12th President of Chadron State College. Every day I think of things I want to tell my dad. I haven’t been able to do that for almost 3 years now. Dad – I love you and I know you’re here with me now.

I have my mother, Doris Patterson, here today and I am so incredibly grateful that she has been with me throughout this journey. She is my rock. Look, she managed to travel from Corinth, Mississippi to Chadron, Nebraska to share in this joyous occasion. That is no small task – because she does not like to travel, let alone fly. I’m going to keep this brief, because I need to get through the rest of this speech without ugly crying, but Mom, thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for giving me life, for believing in me, for giving me love, for always being there for me, for supporting me in everything I do. You have been a constant source of encouragement every step of my journey to date, with love, grace, and peace to know that our God never fails. Thank you for being here.

Today is not about me no matter how many times you seem to have heard my name. Today, we honor and celebrate Chadron State College. We are gathered here to affirm its mission, vision, and values, commemorate its past, and mirror those past efforts, and look with great hope and excitement toward its future.

To the other shoulders upon which I stand include many friends and colleagues. I want to acknowledge the outstanding work done by my predecessors. These include Dr. Randy Rhine for his remarkable stewardship of this College. Dr. Janie Park, who passed away last summer just weeks after I started at Chadron State College, and the other presidents before me. Because of their excellent leadership and the faculty and staff they hired, Chadron State College is poised and emerging as the region’s intellectual, cultural, and economic heartbeat, enhancing, and influencing surrounding communities in the high plains’ region and beyond. Thank you.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will focus on “Building our Future Together.” For now, let us pause and reflect on our history and how this great institution continues to have a positive impact in our community, region, and beyond. As we reflect on the collective commitment to teaching, innovation, excellence, and scholarship, we all have benefited from others’ hard work, dedication, passion, and belief as we were at our founding 114-years ago that our future is brighter now more than ever. This legacy reflects a strong sense of community, institutional resiliency, and citizens rooted with a clear sense of serving people, purpose, and place in the High Plains region and beyond. CSC helps students fulfill their dreams and hopes. We are dedicated to supporting and meeting students where they are and fulfilling their visions of who they wish to become.

Robert Elliott, the man who served as CSC’s president longer than anyone, summarized this momentous occasion best. In 1916, after being named President Elect of Chadron State Normal, he wrote: “In accepting the presidency… I realize full well the responsibilities that are mine. I know something of the boundless possibilities of such an institution, located as it is in the wonderland of northwestern Nebraska. With a citizenship thoroughly awake to the needs as well as to the benefits of such an institution, with the cooperation of a faculty second to none in the state, with an appreciative student body, and with loyal alumni, these responsibilities will be greatly lessened. May we labor together in the spirit of real service, to the end that the achievements of the future may keep pace with the progress of the past.”

Those words still ring true today, a century after being written. I want to repeat Elliott’s final sentence: “May we labor together in the spirit of real service, to the end that the achievements of the future may keep pace with the progress of the past.”

Each of you reflect those who came before, and you all continue to advance the hopes of those who came before us. Chadron State College was here before us, and it will be here after us. That is so encouraging, and I pledge to serve, and do all I can to ensure Chadron State College continues to excel.

As I pass the tenth-month mark as president, I want to reflect with you on my sense of excitement. During the fall, I launched a presidential listening tour with CSC’s Director of College Relations and representatives from the Alumni and Foundation Office. We traveled all over our service region, eastern Colorado, eastern Wyoming, and southwest South Dakota, meeting with K-12 partners, business, community, and industry leaders, and alumni. I discovered a sense of excitement and renewed interest and commitment. In addition to the pleasure of addressing the constituent groups, I did a lot of listening. After 22 dates spanning from August to November, I heard stories and memories of Chadron State College of old, as well as the hopes and dreams of Chadron State College of future.

Fast-forward to Spring 2024, I turned my attention and listening tour to our campus constituents. I visited with and listened to deans, department chairs, executive council members, faculty senate, professional staff, and students. I heard many of the same things I did from the region, but when I listened, I could tell the passion and pride people have for this place. It’s a special college with committed professionals and exceptional students. I know our pain points, as well as our opportunities, and I look forward to leaning in with you to build our future together.

One hundred and fourteen years ago, Chadron State College was founded as a normal teacher’s college. Its founding was part of an unprecedented effort to expand access to higher education in the high plains, western Nebraska, and the state.

In 1909, a member of the House of Representatives by the name of Charles H. Chase proposed a bill that would educate the sons and daughters of the majestic high plains region and beyond. On January 3, 1910, the State Board of Education visited Chadron, as well the five other communities vying to be the new home of the state’s newest normal school. The communities did not have to wait long. By January 8, the board made its decision: Chadron would have a state normal school. It took 16 ballots to decide, but on June 1911, class officially started at Chadron Normal School with 111 students. While the college’s enrollment has certainly increased, CSC’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation, excellence, and scholarship has never waned. The decision made more than a lifetime ago by the Board of Education continues to impact our community and campus in a positive way every day. Bringing the college to Chadron was truly a community effort. As you leave Memorial Hall today, I challenge you to rededicate our collective commitment to innovation, excellence, and scholarship. Those who came before us certainly possessed those traits and their work benefits us. Today, I also challenge you to mirror those past efforts to make our mutual future brighter.

In 10 months, I have learned about CSC’s history, culture, unique community, and traditions. Truly, Chadron State College’s greatest strength is our people. We consistently and successfully do more with less.

We are strong, resilient, patient, loving, hard-working, and value community. We are positioned well to promote, partner, and maximize our relationships with the Pine Ridge Reservation, Chadron State Park, Fort Robinson and the Post Playhouse, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park.

We are poised to successfully contribute to further enhancing the quality of life, expand and further develop relationships and partnerships with K-12 partners, 4-year institutions, two-year community colleges, business and industry, community leaders, chambers of commerce, and public agencies.

As president, it will be a priority for me to continue to nurture, lead, and guide Chadron State College into its next chapter of success. Collaborating with the entire college community, I will strive to continue, build upon, and fulfill CSC’s mission, vision, and values. Chadron State College stands at the threshold of an exciting new era of its second century of providing a first-class, first-choice student experience focused on students, teaching, scholarship, and service. With a strong compliment of graduate programs aimed at meeting the strategic workforce needs of rural Nebraska, the High Plains region, and nationally.

Every time I drive into Chadron, I truly believe I am in the treasure chest of the northwest…yes, I credit that phrase to the Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Nebraska Tourism! As we preserve the best of our past, we must soar boldly into the future. Chadron State College is at its best when we are courageous, and flexible. Together we will move forward with great confidence.

To our accomplished and distinguished faculty, you are the engine and energy that propels the college. The recognition our faculty have brought to the institution speaks to the quality and excellence of their teaching, grants and research, scholarly and creative activities, and community engagement. What I find distinctive about our faculty is their accessibility to our students, and their commitment to engaging both undergraduate and graduate students. It is clear to me that you are the educators, scholars, mentors, and inspiration for our students, helping them reach their full potential. Your passion and curiosity are innovative, forward thinking, and have an unwavering commitment to our students, the community, and the college’s future.

To our dedicated staff, you are the face of Chadron State College to our students, prospective students, and their families. As I have observed our outstanding staff working alongside our students, I am reminded that you are the ambassadors. You also remove barriers and assist students where they are on their educational journey. Your tireless commitment, dedication, and passion for CSC and advancement of our student’s success does not go unnoticed.

To our alumni, you are our connection to a vast network of supporters. Our alumni achievements and contributions to society are widespread and have been recognized through regional, national, and international awards, including a Nobel Prize. To the more than 19,000 strong alumni, donors, and friends of Chadron State College, you are the heart of our beloved institution. Your investments of time, talent, treasures, and passion for Chadron State will help us achieve being a regionally engaged learning institution in the 21st century.

The College mission describes the college’s and my first priority: Our students—their hopes, dreams, academic development, and success. To our students, you are our future. Every thought, action, and decision revolve around you and your success. Your unique stories are the feathers of an Eagles’ wing that allow us to soar higher than we can imagine. Preparing our students to become future leaders who can readily apply their education to be socially responsible citizens and contributors to society is our charge. We must prepare our students for a more diverse, globally connected, and complex world.

If we are to be innovative and entrepreneurial in regional public higher education sector, we must provide our students with the educational experience that is responsive to needs outside of our control. If we are to be a leader in academic innovation, our teaching must be infused with current and future pedagogies, enhanced technology in the classrooms, and our student support services must be adaptive and responsive to their evolving needs, expectations, and desires to ensure persistence, retention, and student success.

To our leadership team, you have embraced this vision and understand the long hours, travel, always on call, and difficult decisions aren’t for the wary. I challenge each of you to dream big, lead with commitment, dedication, passion, and a willingness to explore endless possibilities that have direct impact on our campus community and student success. You make a difference! Continue to propel Chadron State College to new heights.

As we look forward, we plan to identify and diversify revenue streams, align our resources, and support Eagle Nation for Chadron State College to soar to new heights. We will do so with a strategic and intentional E-A-G-L-E focus in five key areas:

*E, we will Enhance our academics, talents, and cultural innovations.

*A, we will Acknowledge enterprises, including focus on continuous improvement, teaching, applied scholarship, service, and entrepreneurship and partnerships.

*G, we will Galvanize Global workforce development that integrates technology to advance student success, degree completion, and build a culture of data-driven assessment and accountability.

*L, we will Launch excellent service to the high plains region, surrounding communities, state of Nebraska, the nation and the world.

*Finally, E, we will Engage all constituency groups to create a strong sense of community.

EAGLES – we will Enhance, Acknowledge, Galvanize, Launch, and Engage.

As a comprehensive, regional public college, CSC plays a key role in uplifting the quality of life for our students, faculty, staff and citizens in our region and state. CSC has a history of engaging in honest dialogue, working together to achieve goals, and embracing perceived differences, while celebrating belongingness and inclusion. At all stages of our students’ educational journey and development, gaining a deeper understanding of and a profound appreciation and respect for all people and perspectives are essential to creating a campus community that is welcoming to all.

And so, this is where we begin, Chadron State College. Let’s join in the pursuit of this bold vision. Chadron State College is an exceptional institution, made up of the best students, faculty, staff, and alumni. There’s no place I’d rather be. Together we can transform Chadron State College, the high plains region, and the state of Nebraska.

I embrace the opportunity to lead this team and community of learners, focused on student success and meeting the workforce needs of the state of Nebraska. As president, I will demonstrate a deep commitment to students-first and foremost, and Chadron’s mission, vision, and values. I will actively listen and learn from the many campus resources of expertise in our students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, Nebraska State College System, and its Board of Trustees. Today, I announce the launch of the President’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative. The President’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund is a dynamic initiative designed to propel Chadron State College into a new era of excellence. This fund is a strategic response to the critical needs of our region, providing agile resources for program development, addressing workforce demands, forging strategic public-private partnerships, and enhancing curriculum development.

As I close my address, I am reminded of a powerful story:

The mother, who was a chef, took her son to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Once the three pots began to boil, she placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot.

She then let them sit and boil.

After 20 minutes she turned off the burners. She took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl.

She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

She then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to him she asked. “Son, what do you see?”

“Potatoes, eggs, and coffee,” he replied.

“Look closer,” she said, “and touch the potatoes. ”

He did and noted that they were soft.

She then asked him to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, he observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked him to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to his face.

“What does this mean?” he asked.

She then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same challenge– the boiling water.

However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard.

However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

As we face challenges and opportunities to build our future together, my commitment to you --- whether you are a student, faculty, staff, alum, donor or friend of the college or a future eagle who will call Chadron State College home --- is to do my best to lead CSC to advance its impact on every life we touch, allowing us to realize our full potential and soar to even greater heights. I am confident in our ability to elevate excellence and build a renewed CSC we collectively envision. I am CSC, YOU are CSC, together we are ONE CHADRON.

Thank you and SOAR EAGLES!