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Enriching the Lives of Children

Thomas Patterson oversees programs for middle and high school students

Thomas Patterson poses with the bull statue in downtown Durham. He grew up in the Bull City during the late 60s and 70s. Photo courtesy of Thomas Patterson.
Thomas Patterson poses with the bull statue in downtown Durham. He grew up in the Bull City during the late 60s and 70s. Photo courtesy of Thomas Patterson.

Name: Thomas PattersonPosition: Program director at Duke Continuing Education/Duke Youth ProgramsYears at Duke: 11

What I do at Duke: We sponsor academic enrichment camps for middle and high school students from all over the U.S. and several countries outside the U.S. We host three two-week sessions on campus each summer and bring in little over 625 campers over six weeks. My busiest time is during camp season when I have direct supervision of all our staff. During the off-season, I spend a lot of my time reviewing and evaluating the programs while adding new camps and ideas, hiring staff and making budget decisions. 

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If I had $5 million, I would: First of all, I’d take my wife on the best vacation she ever had in her life and let her decide what we’d do. I’d also find places where my money can make a difference, for example, in my home church, Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, because my roots are there. My great grandfather was one of the early founders 145 years ago and I’d love to preserve that legacy through a gift. I’d also use some of the funds to start a non-profit to serve underrepresented or underprivileged teenage males.

My first ever job: It was at the Trent Dining Hall here on campus. I worked as a bus boy there during my high school years. My mom was a supervisor in dining services and I also knew the manager. With my affiliation with him and encouragement from my mom, that’s how I got hired in 1968.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Growing up in Durham and Greenville, North Carolina. I gained strength from a lot of the things I experienced, going to high school in Durham in the late 60s and into the 70s.

When I was at East Carolina University during rush week my freshman year in 1971, fraternity guys came through the halls to invite people to their parties. I stood there waiting and when they knocked at my door and noticed I was African-American, they just said ‘I got the wrong room.’ As a result of that experience and others, I partnered with some other black males and the Greenville graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha to start the first black fraternity on campus and that move gave rise to other African-American fraternities and sororities at ECU. I gained strength from being rejected.

What I love about Duke: I’m amazed by the architecture of the buildings here at Duke  especially Duke Chapel. I love just standing on the steps and gazing at the chapel and feeling proud because it was designed by Julian Abele, an African-American. 

When I’m not at work, I like to: Weather permitting, go biking. The American Tobacco Trail is by my house and I love getting on my bike to see how far I can go. On a good week, I’ll get out there two to four times a week. My wife and I enjoy going to the movies, catching a play or a concert, visiting family in Georgia and DC.

An interesting/memorable day at work for me: I will always remember the summer of 2009 when some of my camps were canceled because of an outbreak of H1N1. It was a very disappointing and difficult time. I’m so appreciative of the team at Duke Continuing Studies who worked tirelessly and efficiently to respond to every request and the sacrifices that they made to support Duke Youth Programs. Because of that experience, I was nominated as team leader for the 2009 Teamwork Award, which I will always grateful.