Honoring the Legacy of Andrew L. Patterson

Written by Bee Sykes

Born on July 14, 1933, Andrew L. Patterson's journey exemplifies resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of education. As a Black man born in the Jim Crow South, decades before the civil rights movement, the opportunity to pursue higher education—let alone earn a master’s degree—was exceptionally rare. His achievements stand as a powerful testament to determination in the face of systemic barriers.

After graduating from high school, financial hardship prevented him from immediately pursuing college. Following a two-year gap, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was encouraged to continue his education upon completing his service.

Returning home to Louisiana, Andrew sought to collect the temporary veteran benefits he had earned. When told to take a job chopping cotton in exchange for his assistance check, he instead traveled to Mississippi, received his $26 for 26 weeks benefit, and later enrolled at Southern University. His decision to attend Southern was influenced by its proximity and strong community connections.

During his college summers, he worked in his uncle’s grocery warehouse, which supplied goods to local stores. After completing his undergraduate studies, Andrew went on to earn a master’s degree from Syracuse University. This was an extraordinary accomplishment for a Black man of his time, particularly given the social and racial barriers of the era.

Andrew later became an English teacher, school counselor, and vice principal. He served students in Rankin County, Mississippi, and later in Syracuse, New York.

Mr. Patterson’s legacy lives on through the generations he inspired. His children and grandchildren have gone on to graduate from both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Ivy League institutions, including Howard University, Morgan State University, and Cornell University.

The Andrew L. Patterson Scholarship Award was established to honor this extraordinary life and to support students pursuing their dreams at HBCUs, just as he once did.