MURRAY – In a special called meeting, the Murray State University (MSU) Board of Regents selected Dr. Ron Patterson to be the university’s 15th president after current President Dr. Robert “Bob” Jackson retires at the end of June.
The nationwide search began after Jackson, who has served as MSU president since August 2018, announced his retirement in September. Regents formed an internal search committee and enlisted Academic Search, a search firm based in Washington, D.C., to assist the committee through the process.
On Jan. 31, the presidential search committee held a special called meeting and, after meeting in executive session for more than three hours, unanimously approved a list of 11 semi-finalists, who were only identified by number to protect their anonymity. The committee again held special called meetings on Feb. 10 and 11 to interview the semi-finalists, spending roughly 16 hours in closed session over the course of the two days before voting on four finalists – Christian Hardigree, Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Chad Tindol and Patterson. Finalists were interviewed between Feb. 17 and March 3.
Within minutes of calling today’s meeting to order, the board went into an executive session related to personnel, which lasted approximately an hour and 15 minutes. When the board reconvened in open session, Board Chair Leon Owens made the announcement.
“Murray State University places its highest priority on student learning and teaching excellence and actively engages students, faculty, staff and the community in collaborative scholarship, student activity and research,” Owens said. “Murray State University is a partner with school districts, businesses, communities, alumni and others throughout our service region and beyond. The board is committed to continued engagement and investment in our communities, students, faculty and staff. Our mission is to continue this progress with leadership that exemplifies the university’s commitment to excellence and service.
“… Pursuant to the board’s selection of the university’s 15th president, it is recommended that the board grant authority to the board chairperson to negotiate a contract of employment inclusive of the salary and contract length approved by the board and on form substantially similar to past contracts of employment. The board extends its gratitude to members of the campus community for their interest and involvement in the search process, with special appreciation to the presidential search committee and search firm, Academic Search.
“The recommendation is that the board of regents, upon the recommendation of the chair of the board of regents, approve the appointment of Dr. Ron Patterson as the 15th president of Murray State University at a fiscal year salary not to exceed $400,000 for a term of four years. The board further delegates to the chair of the board of regents the authority to negotiate a contract of employment per the conditions outlined by the board.”
By roll call vote, the board unanimously approved the motion to let Owens negotiate the contract of employment with Patterson.
Patterson is currently the president of Chadron State College (CSC) in Chadron, Nebraska, a position he has held for almost two years. According to his bio on the CSC website, he graduated from Creighton University in 2022 with a Doctor of Education in higher education administration and leadership. He also holds an Education Specialist degree from Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts from Marietta College, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee – Southern and Associate of Arts from Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Patterson has 25 years of experience in higher education, including four years as a former assistant men’s basketball coach and head men’s golf coach at other universities. He spent six years at the University of North Alabama, half of that time as the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to his time at the University of North Alabama, Patterson spent 14 years as an administrator at Marietta College in Ohio, University of Central Arkansas, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
“Patterson is a visionary, scholar-practitioner and possesses a wealth of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, enrollment management, program and course development, student, faculty and staff development, strategic planning, assessment, and accreditation,” the bio states. “An interdisciplinary leader by training, his research focuses on continuous improvement in higher education. Patterson’s commitment as a servant leader takes many forms. He has traveled extensively to foster positive relationships between institutions. He has collaborated with governmental agencies in such countries as The People’s Republic of China and Democratic Republic of the Congo to enroll students. At the local and regional level, he often volunteers at community-related functions and speaks frequently to civic groups, professional associations, and community agencies and organizations.”
All four finalists participated in town hall meetings that were open to the public as part of their on-site interviews. The town hall meeting with Patterson took place on Feb. 27 and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/NGkqdJbNPxg?si=HFhVqOu7-jmDB6qr&t=300
