Bobby Patton, a Plan II student in the early 1980s, said
the liberal arts have always been a passion for him, and his
experiences in Plan II inspired him to make the gift. Plan
II is a four-year interdisciplinary arts and science honors
major in the College of Liberal Arts.
“I like to call this an investment rather than a gift,”
Patton said. “After I left UT I realized just how important
liberal arts were to my life. They taught me how to learn and
how to keep on learning.”
A member of the UT College of Liberal Arts Advisory Council,
Patton principally operates oil and gas properties in Texas and
Kansas and has additional investments in many other sectors,
including ranching and insurance. A partner of Guggenheim
Baseball Management, he became part owner of the Los Angeles
Dodgers in 2012.
“I deeply appreciate Bobby and Sherri Patton’s incredible
investment in the liberal arts,” said President Gregory L.
Fenves. “Their generosity will help UT educate leaders who can
face society’s greatest challenges, and for whom a liberal arts
education is essential.”
Randy Diehl, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the
gift would significantly boost efforts to build excellence
throughout the college, which offers more than 50 majors in 22
academic departments and in more than 30 centers, institutes and
programs.
“The recruitment of top faculty and top graduate students go
hand in hand, ultimately benefitting every student who enrolls
in liberal arts courses.” Diehl said. “Bolstering experiential
learning will also greatly enhance undergraduate opportunities
in areas such as study abroad, internships, leadership and
research. We are grateful to the Pattons for this truly
transformative gift.”
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Patton received a B.B.A. from
The University of Texas as well as a J.D. from St. Mary’s
University and LL.M. from Southern Methodist University. He
serves on the board of Security Benefit Corporation and also
serves as the tournament chairman of the Crowne Plaza
Invitational PGA Tour event at Colonial Country Club in Fort
Worth. Sherri Lynn Patton also earned a law degree from SMU and
later served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas.