Professor of Crop Science,
North Carolina State University

Program Achievements:
Dr. Robert P. Patterson is and has been the teacher of the teachers. His influence on North Carolina Agriculture is phenomenal.  Dr. Patterson has the children of students that he taught decades before now in his class. His influence crosses years and generations, and he is truly loved by those that he has touched. As in the movie classic “It’s a wonderful Life,” one must ponder what North Carolina agricultural Extension would be like if Dr. Robert P. Patterson had never existed.

Dr. Patterson has used his expertise to enhance the educational experience of agronomy students since 1968. In doing so, he has touched thousands of students' lives with both enthusiasm and knowledge about crops and agriculture. Through these efforts, he has taught many of the agricultural agents within the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. A very conservative estimate identifies over 100 agents, specialists and regional agronomists who have been touched by Dr. Patterson’s involvement in their lives as educator and friend. He has also participated in CCA training and extensive agent training over the years. His impact is also felt on a regional and national scale. Agronomists and crop scientists across the country have felt the effect of Dr. Patterson. There are professional agronomists in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia and Texas that have had Dr. Patterson as part of their lives. In short, Dr. Robert P. Patterson has been the advisor and friend of a multitude of students for nearly 40 years of teaching in the Crop Science Department.

Dr. Patterson also has conducted research as a crop physiologist, examining the drought adaptation of grain crops. He examined both the use of crop and management systems and exotic germplasm to increase water use efficiency. In teaching, he helped improve the summer internship program by adding breath and depth. In addition, he has attempted to develop strategies that help agronomy majors think critically and clearly. He has also tried to create a closer interactive relationship between our research and Extension faculty who do not teach and students who would otherwise never interact with non-teaching faculty. All of these activities would and have been positive in preparing our graduates for employment as agricultural professionals.

Professional achievements: