The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s August 7 Power in Partnership Breakfast will feature the new Murray State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson. The breakfast is sponsored by Murray State University.
The Chamber’s 2025 Small Business Cohort members will be recognized.
The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center. Pre-registration is required by Monday, August 4 at 2 p.m. at paducahchamber.org or by calling 270-443-1746. Power Card holders do not have to pre-register. The cost is $25.
Dr. Ron K. Patterson became the 15th President of Murray State University on July 1st, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education. Prior to joining Murray State, he served as President of Chadron State College and held senior leadership roles at the University of North Alabama, where he led record-breaking enrollment efforts and spearheaded major student success and philanthropic initiatives.
His early career encompassed 14 years as an administrator at Marietta College in Ohio, University of Central Arkansas, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Christian Brothers University in Memphis. He spent four years as an assistant men’s basketball coach and head men’s golf coach at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee, and Marietta College. His 25 years of higher education experience has developed Patterson toward a collaborative-servant leader approach which values access and affordability, continuous improvement, and innovation. He holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Creighton University, among several advanced degrees, and remains deeply committed to the mission of access and affordability in higher education.
President Patterson believes that higher education is about relationships, resilience, and realization. His interactions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, legislators and friends of the university fosters collaboration, inspires partnerships, and continues the tradition of Murray State University, the finest place we know. Patterson and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Olivia, and Braylon.
