Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents has named Dr. Baker Pattillo as the finalist for university president.

The action was taken during a telephone conference of the regents, and state law requires that 21 days must pass before a board can take final action to appoint the position of president. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board is Jan. 30 when the appointment of Pattillo as president could be made official.

“The regents have been extremely pleased with Dr. Pattillo’s leadership of the university since they selected him as interim president with a unanimous vote in July,” said Valerie E. Ertz, chair of the board.

Within a short time of his interim appointment, Pattillo rounded out the executive management team with appointments from the ranks of senior leadership within the university. Pattillo appointed Dr. Marlin Young as provost and vice president of academic affairs. He named Dr. Richard Berry as associate provost and associate vice president of academic affairs, and Steve Westbrook as interim vice president for university affairs. Also appointed was Danny Gallant, associate vice president for budget and finance.

Pattillo also has acted to increase faculty and staff salaries, and he has made available funds to replace aging computer equipment.

“We have seen the benefits of Dr. Pattillo’s steady leadership, and we want to build upon that momentum by moving to name him president as the Texas Legislature opens the 80th Session in January,” said Ertz.

“At stake in this session is biennium funding and securing full funding for $30 million in tuition revenue bonds to construct academic buildings on campus, and we believe the university will be best served with Baker Pattillo as president,” she added.

Pattillo has four decades of experience with Stephen F. Austin State University. He began his service in 1966 as assistant director of placement and student financial aid. Pattillo advanced through the ranks as director of placement and student financial aid, dean of student services, vice president for student affairs, and most recently as vice president for university affairs.

A native of Arp, Texas, Pattillo earned an associate of art degree from Tyler Junior College before enrolling at SFA, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in English and history and a master’s degree in education. He earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M in 1971.