Distance Learner
Marion Patterson left her mark on the 幸运快三 as one of the first students to earn a master’s degree in physical education through distance learning, a feat she completed in the 1970s, before the university had an established distance-learning program.
“I was on the Moscow campus for just one semester, and then wrote my thesis from Kansas,” Marion said. “This was back when everyone had to handwrite, type and mail documents to their advisor, who made comments and returned the process. People today are amazed that I was able to successfully complete the thesis work this way. U of I proved to be flexible. Dr. Cal Latham, who was my corresponding professor from the physical education department, was outstanding in this.”
She worked with College of Natural Resources (CNR) faculty member James R. Fazio and what is now known as the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (CEHHS) to pilot an outdoor education program.
Marion ’77 and her husband, Richard “Rich” Patterson ’71, live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Since graduating from U of I, Rich used his fishery degrees from CNR in various seasonal positions in Alaska, providing data about the impact of the Alaska pipeline on fisheries, and Marion has led environmental programs over the years. She applied her basic movement sciences background (health, physical education, recreation and fitness training) in various positions, including public education.
The Pattersons have two children, Daniel Patterson and Nancy Patterson '06, '09. Nancy earned her bachelor's degree in Spanish, Latin American studies and international studies from the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and her master's degree in resource recreation and tourism from CNR. Rich and Marion continue to make annual gifts to the university and have also included U of I in their estate plan to benefit the CEHHS Excellence Fund and CNR's Excellence Fund.
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