| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Baker Pattillo of Nacogdoches on |
|
|
December 29, 2018, at the age of 75, brought great sorrow to his |
|
|
family and friends, as well as to the campus community of Stephen |
|
|
F. Austin State University, which he served with great distinction |
|
|
for more than five decades; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Born in Camden on June 22, 1943, Baker Pattillo was |
|
|
the son of the Reverend Leroy Pattillo and Mauree Pattillo; he moved |
|
|
with his family to Arp in 1956 and lettered as a member of the Tigers |
|
|
football team at Arp High School, where his classmates voted him |
|
|
"most likely to succeed"; he subsequently put himself through |
|
|
college, and after studying first at Tyler Junior College, he |
|
|
earned his bachelor's degree in 1965 and his master's degree in |
|
|
guidance and counseling in 1966 from SFA; he later completed a |
|
|
Ph.D. in educational administration at Texas A&M University; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Dr. Pattillo was hired as assistant director of |
|
|
placement and financial aid at SFA in 1966; he was promoted to dean |
|
|
of student services in 1972 and to vice president for student |
|
|
affairs in 1979; after being appointed interim president in July |
|
|
2006, he assumed the office of president in January 2007; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Over the course of his 11-year tenure as president, |
|
|
Dr. Pattillo coordinated campus projects that totaled more than |
|
|
$425 million, including a student recreation center, a nursing |
|
|
building, and three residential buildings; moreover, he took |
|
|
well-deserved pride in securing $150 million in funding for four |
|
|
additional facilities during his last day of work; under his |
|
|
leadership, the university exceeded 13,000 in enrollment, |
|
|
surpassing its previous record, and Dr. Pattillo enjoyed a strong |
|
|
rapport with students, as well as with faculty, staff, regents, and |
|
|
state and national leaders; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Dr. Pattillo shared 52 years of marriage with his |
|
|
wife, Janice Pattillo, whom he wed on December 17, 1966, and they |
|
|
were blessed with a daughter, Paige, a grandson, Jackson, and a |
|
|
son-in-law, Todd; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Through his vision and leadership, Dr. Baker |
|
|
Pattillo contributed immeasurably to advancing the mission of |
|
|
Stephen F. Austin State University, and he leaves behind a legacy |
|
|
that will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be |
|
|
it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Baker Pattillo |
|
|
and extend deepest condolences to his relatives and many friends; |
|
|
and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
|
|
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Baker |
|
|
Pattillo. |