Patterson to receive Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

September 26, 2007
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications, (417) 865-2815 ext. 7292

Springfield, Mo. — Dr. Eric Patterson ’94 will receive the Evangel University Alumni Association’s 2007 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award on Friday, October 12, during the Homecoming chapel service.

Patterson earned degrees in Music Education and Biblical Studies from Evangel in 1994.

He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from University of California-Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from the University of Wales-Aberystwyth.

Patterson, recently named a 2007-2008 White House Fellow, will become the assistant director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University fall 2008. From 2002-2007, Patterson was an assistant professor of political science at Vanguard University in California.

Patterson was awarded a Foster Fellowship for 2005-2007 with the U.S. State Department where he was a visiting scholar on illicit international trade in small arms and light weapons.

Patterson is a Major in the California Air National Guard (ANG) and serves as the commander/conductor of the ANG Band of the Southwest.

As a Rotarian for a decade, Patterson has served as club president and membership chair. He has been a Calihan Fellow and a Rotary Scholar; he also earned a Royal Ranger Gold Medal of Achievement. Patterson has authored and edited several books and articles on religion and politics, just-war theory and international affairs

His most recent book is a co-edited look at the state of Pentecostalism today, titled “The Future of Pentecostalism in the United States,” which is being published in November 2007 by Lexington Books.

In his time at Evangel, Patterson was involved as student government president and in activities with the music department.

Patterson found Evangel faculty to be supportive of all the activities in which he was involved. “They never criticized or naysaid my personal commitments, but were always supportive of me finding my own way. I am grateful for this,” Patterson said.

“The faculty who influenced me put Christ first, and the same is true for my student peers,” Patterson said. “The battle to keep faith at the center of our university must be fought each and every day, and I ask the next generation of students, faculty and staff to do so.”

Patterson keeps in touch with friends from Evangel and continues to count on those friends for prayer. “This is a lifetime legacy,” Patterson said.

Patterson is married to his college sweetheart, Mary (Crooks ’92), who was an elementary school teacher for 10 years and later taught courses at Vanguard University. Mary remains deeply involved in church activities. They have two children: Spencer, 6, and Jane, 3.

For additional information, contact Chuck Cox at (417) 865-2815, ext. 7333.