Patterson Named Interim President

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby named Dr. Charles Patterson as interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University beginning Jan. 1, 2015, following the retirement of Dr. Kendall Blanchard.

“I am grateful to Chancellor Hank Huckaby and the Board of Regents for entrusting me to serve as the Interim President of Georgia Southwestern State University,” said Patterson. “I am a strong advocate for the role that public universities serve in advancing regional and societal well-being among its citizenry. Our public universities should elevate and transform the lives of our students, while also enhancing the spirit and economic vitality of the communities they serve.”

Prior to his new role at GSW, Patterson served as Georgia Southern University’s vice president for research and economic development and dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. He also served as chair of the Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation.

Patterson has served in the role as vice president of research and economic development since 2011. He was appointed dean of graduate studies in 2009 and chair of the research foundation in 2011. Prior to these appointments, he served as associate vice president for research from 2008-2010 and executive director of the Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation from 2008-2011.

Patterson received a bachelor of science in biochemistry from Mississippi State University in Starkville and a doctorate in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“I look forward to working closely with all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members,” added Patterson, “as we look to forge a bright future for Georgia Southwestern State University, the region and the State of Georgia.”