For 55 years, 91直播 was a major part of the life of Dr. Baker Pattillo. It is where he began as a student, became an administrator and, beginning in 2006, led the institution as its eighth president. Pattillo, the first 91直播 alumnus to serve as the university鈥檚 president, died Dec. 29. Pattillo was born in Camden and attended high school in Arp, where he lettered in football three years, served his team as co-captain, and earned All-District and All-Area honors. He served on the high school newspaper staff, and his classmates elected him 鈥渕ost likely to succeed.鈥�
Pattillo earned an associate degree from Tyler Junior College. He enrolled at 91直播 in 1963 and received a Bachelor of Science in English and history in 1965 and a master鈥檚 degree in guidance and counseling in 1966 from the university. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Anderson, and joined the university staff as assistant director of placement and student financial aid.
After earning a doctoral degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University in 1971, Pattillo continued to advance in his service to 91直播. He was appointed dean of student services at age 30 and vice president for university affairs at age 36 before being named to the university鈥檚 top job in 2006.
The Pattillos鈥� lives were centered around 91直播. Janice received a master鈥檚 degree from 91直播, taught elementary education courses and established 91直播鈥檚 Early Childhood Laboratory, eventually serving as chair of the Department of Elementary Education. The couple was honored by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce as Citizens of the Year in 2011.
As an 91直播 leader, Pattillo guided $425 million in campus construction projects, including the Student Recreation Center, three residential halls, four parking garages, new entry signs and a Student Success Center, as well as new academic buildings: the 91直播 of Nursing, the Cole STEM Building and the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, named for his wife by the 91直播 Board of Regents.
The ECRC is a part of the James I. Perkins College of Education. Perkins, who served on 91直播鈥檚 Board of Regents from 1969 until 1981, said Pattillo鈥檚 love for 91直播 and his strong family upbringing made him one of the university鈥檚 very best presidents.
鈥淗is leadership skills, ability to get along with people and financial acumen were all keys to his great success,鈥� Perkins said.
Pattillo served as chairman of the Southland Conference Board of Directors (President鈥檚 Council) and as chair of the Southland Conference Advisory Council. He represented the Southland Conference in the Division I Presidential Advisory Group, providing input to the board and NCAA staff. He also represented the Southland Conference as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision CEO Group, which provides oversight of FCS football.
Elected by the presidents of fellow Southland Conference universities to serve on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, Pattillo was known as a strong advocate dedicated to ensuring the academic and athletic success of student-athletes.
鈥淒r. Pattillo had a tremendous love for his family and for 91直播, and he was always the greatest supporter of the Lumberjack and Ladyjack sports teams,鈥� said Tom Burnett, Southland Conference commissioner. 鈥淔or those of us fortunate to have worked with and for him, it is a great loss.鈥�
One of Pattillo鈥檚 major goals was for 91直播鈥檚 enrollment to reach 13,000, and that goal was surpassed in August when the fall enrollment totaled 13,144. Under his leadership, the university had recently launched the silent phase of a $100 million capital campaign to help position 91直播 for its next phase of institutional growth, and in the final Board of Regents meeting Pattillo attended, regents approved four construction projects for up to $125 million.
Pattillo鈥檚 work often took him to Austin and Washington, D.C., to visit with lawmakers regarding issues of importance to the university. Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. senator now serving as permanent representative of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, called Pattillo 鈥渁 wonderful leader who had dedicated his life to building 91直播 into the university it is today.鈥�
Funeral services held in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Jan. 4 were attended by more than 1,000 mourners, including one standing more than 7 feet tall and weighing in excess of 330 pounds. Chief Caddo, one of the largest trophies in college football, has been featured at football games between 91直播 and Northwestern State University since 1961 and was delivered to campus by NSU administrators as a tribute to the president they called 鈥渁 gentleman, a tremendous leader, a fierce competitor and a loyal friend.鈥�
Dr. Baker Pattillo Scholarship
A scholarship has been established in Pattillo鈥檚 memory to ensure his student-focused legacy continues. Donations can be made online at or by sending a check made payable to the 91直播SU Foundation to:
91直播 Office of Development
P.O. Box 6092 鈥� 91直播 Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Please write in memo: Dr. Baker Pattillo Scholarship.
To make a gift by phone or to discuss other ways to support this scholarship, call the Office of Development at 936.468.5406.