Pat Crook
remains true blue
for alma mater By K. Dawn Rutledge
Long after many have turned off their phones and shut down their computers, sitting quietly, yet working feverishly, in a corner office in the academic affairs suite in Tennessee State University’s McWherter Administration Building, is long-time employee and dedicated alumna, Dr. Patricia Crook. Not long after graduating from TSU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1973, Crook found herself right back at her alma mater four years later. A loyal employee of the university for 27 years, Crook only took a break in service from 19911997 to work for the Tennessee Board of Regents. Along her professional journey at TSU, she has worked in several important capacities, including grants officer, bursar, assistant and associate vice president for business and finance, associate vice president for technology and administrative services, interim vice president for student affairs, interim vice president for academic affairs, interim director of human resources and interim director of financial aid. “The best part of my job is working with our students and my colleagues, as we jointly create an academic and physical environment conducive to teaching, learning, research and public service,” Crook said, who currently serves as associate vice president for academic affairs. Her responsibilities include financial management of the division’s $56 million unrestricted budget and budgetary processes; fiscal reporting to internal and external groups; man32
agement of summer school, part-time faculty and overload budgets, personnel hiring, payment processes; review and approval of all division contracts and agreements; development of all university departments’ organizational charts; assist deans, department heads, faculty and staff with fiscal and academic issues. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Crook earned a Master of Public Administration in 1995 and a Doctor of Education-Administration and Supervision in 1997 from TSU. She also holds a MBA from the University of Tennessee. Crook’s dedication to her alma mater extends far beyond her professional duties. She is an annual contributor to TSU’s distinguished donor club, the President’s Society, and has been a consistent football season ticket holder for many years. She supports many athletic games, attends and assists with campus activities and is a life member of the TSU National Alumni Association. “I chose TSU because of the university’s positive reputation in the community for developing, nurturing and graduating students,” Crook said. “I give back because, as alumni, we are responsible for helping the next generation achieve their academic goals and dreams. I strongly believe in the saying ‘to whom much is given, much is required and the more you give, the more God gives back to you for the purpose of helping others.’ I practice being a giver of time, money and other possessions. I believe as alums, giving back is just one way of saying ‘thanks’ to God and
TSU for preparing us for the many successes we have achieved during our life’s journey.” Her strong faith and belief in God has been the foundation for her success and happiness, and she said only second to that is her 82-year old mother, Mrs. Jane Crook. “My mother is my greatest supporter, mentor and motivator,” said Crook, the third of six children, in which four other siblings are also TSU graduates. Crook’s passion for helping people is evident in her other involvements as well. She attends Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church, serves on the GCT Advisory Board, the Health Care Professionals ministry, and as a superintendent and Sunday school teacher for eight- and nine-year-old students. She is also actively involved in community and professional groups such as Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, is a licensed certified public accountant and affiliate real estate broker. As TSU approaches its 100th anniversary, she said there are many great things ahead. She sees using cutting-edge technology, data driven decision making, right-size staffing and greater participation in communication networks as opportunities and benefits
ALUMNIlife | 2011