SFA Regents name interim president
A longtime leader of Stephen F. Austin State University has been named interim president.
Dr. Baker Pattillo, vice president for university affairs, was appointed by a unanimous vote of the SFA Board of Regents to serve as president for one year, with a renewal option for an additional year.
“My role has been to serve students and to attend to student needs; that role will now be expanded to all areas of the university,” Pattillo said. “However, students are the primary reason we are here, so I’ll be focusing on our continued efforts to improve recruitment and retention. I’m looking forward to this and will give my best to the university every day.”
Pattillo joined the SFA administration in 1966 as assistant director of placement and student financial aid. He advanced through the ranks as director of placement and student financial aid, dean of student services, and vice president for student affairs to his current position.
A native of Arp, Pattillo earned an associate of art degree from Tyler Junior College before enrolling at SFA, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in English and history and a master’s degree in education. He earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M in 1971.