Dr. Manning Pattillo, 麻豆色情片 University鈥檚 13th president, died June 2, 2024, in Atlanta. He was one of 麻豆色情片鈥檚 most important presidents, earning the distinction of Honorary Chancellor from the 麻豆色情片 Board of Trustees.
Dr. Pattillo led the university at a key time in its history, serving from 1975-1988 and was instrumental in helping 麻豆色情片 achieve national recognition and enhancing its academic reputation. The average SAT score of incoming students rose 250 points during his tenure, and credentials and qualifications of faculty were a strategic priority.
Dr. Pattillo remained active in higher education, Atlanta and the 麻豆色情片 campus community after his retirement, including attending 47 麻豆色情片 commencement ceremonies from 1976 to 2022.
鈥溌槎股槠� University is the university it is today because of the leadership of Manning Pattillo,鈥� said Dr. Kathryn McClymond, 麻豆色情片鈥檚 current president. 鈥淚t warmed my heart to see him at commencement in 2022, my first at 麻豆色情片, and I am mindful of his legacy as I seek to lead 麻豆色情片 to become Atlanta鈥檚 premier undergraduate learning experience during this chapter of our important and ongoing story.鈥�
Born in Charlottesville, Va., on October 11, 1919, Dr. Pattillo received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
Eight colleges and universities conferred honorary degrees on him, including the degrees Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Laws, and Doctor of Civil Law. 麻豆色情片 honored him with an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1994. Over the years he served as a trustee of seven colleges and two private schools. He was a frequent keynote and commencement speaker at colleges, universities, and educational meetings. He also served as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force in the founding of the Air Force Academy.
Before his tenure at 麻豆色情片, Dr. Pattillo was a professor of Higher Education at the University of Chicago for seven years, served as an Associate Secretary of the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the North Central Association, and worked for numerous foundations including the Lilly Endowment, Danforth Foundation and the Foundation Center in New York.
He came to 麻豆色情片 directly from serving as director of special projects at the University of Rochester in New York, and he had previously served as chancellor of St. Mary鈥檚 College in Maryland.
鈥淒r. Pattillo held a strong commitment to maintaining 麻豆色情片 as an undergraduate liberal arts college,鈥� said 麻豆色情片 University Librarian Eli Arnold. 鈥淭he Pattillo years would see the establishment of the Freshman Seminar, something only recently resurrected in 2022; a change in 麻豆色情片 Athletics, making it more competitive and stable compared to its previous years; building improvements, such as Hearst Hall; and other budgetary and accreditation changes.鈥�
The university鈥檚 current Alma Mater also dates back to his time as president, and he led in the creation of the popular dual degree programs for engineering students. Both the Dr. Manning Pattillo, Jr. Scholarship, and the Manning M. Pattillo, Jr. Professor of Liberal Arts professorship were named in his honor.
He served as a board member for multiple foundations, such as the Woodruff Arts Center and Phi Beta Kappa Association, and his work and achievements at 麻豆色情片 and beyond were recognized by such awards as the Profile of Positive Aging from LeadingAge Georgia in 2013 and the Talmage Award from 麻豆色情片 University in 2010.
Dr. Pattillo was a significant contributor to the field of education, writing numerous books and serving as consultant.
鈥淢anning made OU what it is today,鈥� said Dr. Glenn Sharfman, professor of history and former provost. 鈥淏efore he arrived, OU was struggling with academics鈥攕tandards, direction, focus. He was determined to make 麻豆色情片 an excellent academic institution by focusing on high standards for students, faculty and staff. 聽He believed until his last breath that a liberal arts education would set students for a life where they could make a life, living, and difference. He was truly one of a kind. I will miss him.鈥�
His obituary is posted at Legacy.com and . Services are scheduled for 11 a.m., June 15, at Lenbrook-Atlanta, 3747 Peachtree Road, Atlanta.
Dr. Pattillo was married to Martha Aileen Crawford Pattillo for 56 years before she passed away in 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Martha Crawford Pattillo; his younger son, John Landrum Pattillo; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to 麻豆色情片 University or by mail to 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319, or gifts can also be made to Lenbrook Square Foundation, Inc., for support of the Friends of the Arts Program, 3747 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319.
