FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANSFIELD, Mass. - Religious Studies Department Chair Ray Patterson from Saint Michael's recently received the inaugural Northeast-10 Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Faculty Mentor Award during the NE10's year-end banquet at Gillette Stadium.
Patterson, also an associate professor of religious studies, is a long-time supporter of the college's athletic programs and serves as the faculty affiliate for the women's basketball, field hockey and women's lacrosse programs. He helps provide academic support and guidance to each of those teams' student-athletes.
"I can't imagine a more worthy professor to be the inaugural recipient of this award than Ray Patterson," said Director of Athletics Chris Kenny. "His selfless dedication to the academic success and holistic development of our student-athletes is truly extraordinary."
Patterson was presented at the conference's annual awards banquet by former student-athlete Caroline Staples, a captain on the softball team this past season.
"Professor Patterson assists many of our student-athletes in the class selection process to ensure that all of the athletes he works with are on their appropriate path to graduation," said women's basketball head coach Shannon Kynoch. "He goes above and beyond to check in with coaches about their athletes and continues relationships with athletes beyond graduation. For younger students who are undeclared, he often takes the time out to meet with and offer suggestions and options. Coaches look to him for support in helping their athletes navigate their academic path, and he is quite often on speed dial when questions arise." Kynoch noted that Patterson regularly attends sporting events and is invited to team functions.
"Not only is he a dedicated professor to each and every student, he chooses to support not one, but three of our athletic programs to ensure that these student-athletes have the best academic experience possible," said Kynoch, also the Department of Athletics' SAAC Adviser. "Professor Patterson epitomizes what it means to enhance the student-athlete experience at Saint Michael's College."
Information for this release provided by the athletic communications staff at Saint Michael's
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
