Tech vice chancellor: Interim tag dropped by Patton

Susan Patton will stay in the office she’s occupied for the past year: she was officially named Montana Tech’s vice
chancellor of academic affairs and research Wednesday.

By Barbara LaBoe, of The Montana Standard

Patton, one of three finalists, held the job for the past year on an interim basis.
Tech Chancellor Frank Gilmore said it became clear in the past year that Patton has the skills Tech requires.

“ I feel her very calm but collect ed and calculated method of approaching and solving problems is what this
institution needs to more forward,” Gilmore said. “ I’m totally convinced she’s the right person at the right time.”
Patton, 41, said she never intended a career in administration and was surprised last year when Gilmore
approached her for the interim position. Once asked, how ever, she said she felt compelled to help Tech in
whatever way neces sary. Prior to that move, she was a mining engineering professor who came to the campus in
1994.

Since taking the interim role, however, Patton said she’s enjoyed the chance to better impact change, something
that is possible but more limited as a professor. She said the biggest issue facing the school is student recruitment
and making sure more students know what Tech has to offer.

“ I’m really excited about the coming year,” she said. “ It’s a great place to be.”
As chief academic officer, Patton will oversee all academic departments, the library, educa tional outreach,
technical outreach, graduate studies, research, com puter/network services and the registrar. She will represent the school to several groups such as
the Board of Regents and Montana Foundation and will be in charge in Gilmore’s absence.

Gilmore held a similar post in West Virginia and said it’s quite possibly the most difficult position on the university campus.
“ It’s a very difficult job because you have to do a lot of different things and you still have to deal with a chancellor,” he said. “ You have many
different constituen cies, and not just the faculty because this is the second-in-line position.”
But the broad-based support for Patton convinced Gilmore she is the right fit for Tech.

“ She had extremely strong sup port from the search committee, from the campus, on the state level and from the community members who
contacted me,” Gilmore said. “ And I’m not expecting her to pro duce miracles, but I am expecting her to do great things.”

Prior to Tech, Patton did postdoctoral studies at the University of Alabama and received her bach elor’s degree in mining engineering from the New
Mexico Institute of Mining. She also worked as a con sultant for Novak Engineering, where she specialized in mine ven tilation, mine evaluation
and com puter applications.
Patton lives in Butte with her husband Phil and their children, Sadie and Joel.

She replaces Dan Bradley who left in January 2001 to head Fairmont State College in West Virginia.
Patton’s salary will be $98,000, which is determined by taking Bradley’s salary and adding in the raise and adjustment the rest of the campus has
received since his departure, Gilmore said.

— Reporter Barbara LaBoe may be reached via email at barbara.laboe(at)(at)mtstandard.com.

http://www.mtstandard.com/newslocal/3news.html