Frederick D. Patterson

Frederick Douglass Patterson (October 10, 1901 - April 26, 1988), born in Washington D.C. and orphaned at the age of two. Patterson would later become president of what is now Tuskegee University (1935-1953) and founder of the United Negro College Fund (1944, UNCF). In 1987, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Patterson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

In 1933, Patterson received his PH.D from Cornell University.

He was a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and developed the veterinary program at Tuskegee into an outstanding program.

Patterson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.