As 2024 draws to a close, Paul Patterson is stepping away from his roles as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. He led both to record numbers in the areas of teaching, research and outreach since he assumed the positions in March 2016.
“Serving as dean and director at Auburn these past few years has been an honor and a privilege,” Patterson said. “Auburn is my alma mater, and it is my childhood home, so the opportunity to serve in this role has been meaningful to me on a personal level.
“My dad always told me to leave a place better than I found it. I have made every effort to do that for the College of Agriculture, the Experiment Station, and Auburn University, and I am deeply appreciative of the many people who have helped and supported me along the way.”
Patterson’s father, R.M. Patterson, was a longtime faculty member of the College of Agriculture and head of Research Data Analysis for the Experiment Station.
“Dr. Patterson is highly respected throughout Auburn University, and it is safe to say he has been a consequential dean and director,” Auburn President Chris Roberts said. “Under his leadership, the College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station have posted record numbers of faculty and staff employees, research funding and student enrollment. Dr. Patterson is leaving both of these organizations stronger, healthier and better positioned than ever before in their history, and he is leaving them with excellent teams in place.”
Through his time as dean, the College of Agriculture broke ground on and completed the Charles C. Miller Poultry Research and Education Center, which is recognized as the poultry industry’s most comprehensive research and teaching farm. With the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the college also broke ground on the Ag-STEM Complex, which will be the largest and most advanced academic and research facility in Auburn history.
With Patterson as dean, the College of Agriculture posted its highest-ever enrollments of both undergraduate and graduate students — 1,087 and 404, respectively.
As Experiment Station director, Patterson was instrumental in the purchase of the Experiment Station’s first new research farm since 1972. He also positioned the Experiment Station to begin selling unused property to generate revenue for the purchase of new property and reconditioning of old property to better produce research relevant to current challenges in Alabama agriculture.
Under Patterson’s leadership, faculty of the College of Agriculture attained a record $64 million in research grants and contracts in 2023. For context, a then-record $15 million was attained in 2015, the year before Patterson was named dean and director.
“Dr. Patterson cares about his faculty, staff and students in very authentic and meaningful ways,” said Vini Nathan, Auburn provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “The College of Agriculture and Experiment Station are as strong as they are today because of great people. But people do not perform at that level day in and day out without a leader who not only gives them strategic direction, but who genuinely values them and cares for both their personal well-being and career success.”
Before serving as dean and director, Patterson served as associate dean for instruction in the Auburn College of Agriculture from 2009 to 2016. He previously was on faculty at Arizona State University, where he served as dean of the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness from 2007 to 2009.
Patterson earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural business and economics from Auburn before earning his master’s and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
Auburn has launched a national search for its next dean and director for the College of Agriculture and Experiment Station. Arthur Appel, associate dean for research and assistant director of the Experiment Station, will serve as interim dean and director, effective Jan. 1.
DEAN PAUL PATTERSON’S TIMELINE & HIGHLIGHTS
DEAN PAUL PATTERSON THOUGH THE YEARS
