MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University will soon be unveiling the Racer Spirit Listening and Learning Tour, hosted by Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson.
Patterson began his service as the 15th President of Murray State University on July 1 and has outlined the Listening and Learning tour as an integral part of his first 100-120 days in office to engage and hear directly from multiple groups, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders, K-12 and community college partners, business and industry stakeholders, and friends across Kentucky and the multi-state region.
“I look forward to meeting many individuals as part of the Racer Spirit Listening and Learning Tour. The themes of community and excellence are hallmarks of Murray State University. Through open dialogue and collaboration, we will strengthen what makes Murray State an excellent higher education institution in the United States, highlighting the wonderful Racer family and community that exists while uncovering new opportunities to grow and serve,” Murray State President Dr. Ron Patterson said. “I look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories — in your towns, on our campuses, and everywhere the Racer Spirit lives.”
Please visit murraystate.edu/tour to learn more, including a list of preliminary tour locations. Additional details will be included on the website as they are confirmed.
About President Patterson:
Dr. Ron K. Patterson joined Murray State University as president on July 1, 2025. He was unanimously selected by the Board of Regents and members of the Presidential Search Committee following a comprehensive nationwide search. With more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education, he is committed to expanding academic initiatives, advancing student success, and cultivating collaborative partnerships on and off campus.
Prior to joining Murray State, Patterson served two years as President at Chadron State College (CSC) where he worked to enhance teaching and scholarship across a broad portfolio of academic programs and community engagement initiatives. Under his leadership, CSC launched new partnerships to boost enrollment, launched new workforce ready academic programs, launched new technology initiatives to support student success and retention, established a laptop anytime program for students who do not have access to technology, forged 2+2 pathways for both transfer and current students to institutions and academic health science centers, and launched the development of a new strategic plan.
Dr. Patterson served for seven years in numerous leadership positions as associate vice president for enrollment management, chief enrollment officer, and chief enrollment officer and special assistant to the president at the University of North Alabama (UNA). Patterson led the institution to 14 consecutive terms of record enrollment. Dr. Patterson also successfully assisted in raising millions of dollars from philanthropic and governmental entities to support the institutional enterprise. He led, developed, and implemented several student success and retention initiatives, served on the university-wide strategic planning committee, and collaborated with campus stakeholders and legislators on major new construction and renovation projects. During his time at UNA and through his efforts, one center and a program were named and a program was endowed after obtaining significant philanthropic contributions.
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 is a visionary, scholar-practitioner and possesses a wealth of experience in higher education leadership, strategic planning, assessment, and accreditation. An interdisciplinary leader by training, his research focuses on continuous improvement in higher education. Patterson’s commitment as a servant leader takes many forms. He has traveled extensively to foster positive relationships between institutions. He has collaborated with governmental agencies in such countries as The People’s Republic of China and Democratic Republic of the Congo to enroll students. At the local and regional level, he often volunteers at community-related functions and speaks frequently to civic groups, professional associations, and community agencies and organizations.
Patterson earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Creighton University, an Education Specialist degree with a concentration in Community College Administration at Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts at Marietta College, a Bachelor of Science at the University of Tennessee – Southern, and an Associate of Arts at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He recently completed professional development offered by the American Academic Leadership Institute and Penn State University’s Academic Leadership Academy for Academic Administration.
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, and a dog named Tundra.