TCU announces new dean of the College of Education
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Fort Worth, TX
4/21/2009
Dr. Nowell Donovan, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Texas Christian University, announced that Dr. Mary Martin Patton, former interim dean of the College of Education, is the new dean. Previously the associate dean, Dr. Patton assumed the role of interim dean at the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year, following the retirement of former dean Dr. Sam Deitz.
“After much thought and consultative input from the university community, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Mary Patton has accepted the position of Dean of the College,” said Dr. Donovan. “I am certain that Dr Patton has the ability, enthusiasm and insight to lead the College into a brave and bright future.”
“This is an exciting time to be dean in the College of Education,” said Dr. Patton. “Our faculty, students and facilities are outstanding, and our programs prepare teachers, counselors and administrators for the high need areas. Our graduates are in great demand. I am honored to have this opportunity and appreciate all the support I’ve received.”
Dr. Patton’s 38-year career includes public school teaching in special education and early childhood education, as well as many leadership roles including serving as the principal of a K-12 school on the North Slope of Alaska. Her research and teaching focus on play and learning, as well as multicultural and urban education. She has held numerous professional and service positions including Tarrant County College Advisory Committee for Child Development and board member and past president for the Texas Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators. Most recently, she was accepted to the Harvard Institute for Management and Leadership in Education. Dr. Patton is a respected teacher and scholar in her field.
At TCU, Dr. Patton was a recipient of the Dean’s Teaching Award, Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Friends of Education, College of Education, and three-time finalist for the Wassenich Award for Mentoring. She has also served on dozens of committees and task forces for the College of Education and at the University.
Prior to joining TCU in 1994 as an associate professor, Dr. Patton was an education professor at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Patton, who grew up in Austin, worked for 17 years in the public school system as a teacher in special and regular education and also taught at the University of Texas at Austin and was a project director at Central Texas College. Dr. Patton earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in special education from the University of Texas at Austin, her certificate in educational administration from Portland State University and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Media contact:
Shawn Kornegay
Associate Director of Communications
817-257-5061
s.kornegay@tcu.edu
