ISU names main veterinary medicine college academic building for African American leader, Federick Douglass Patterson

A building at Iowa State University will soon honor the school's first African-American graduate from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Iowa Board of Regents has approved ISU's request to rename Vet Med's main academic building for Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The building, which will be known as Frederick Douglass Patterson Hall, is the third significant building honoring a Vet Med college graduate or donor.

"This is really neat," Iowa Board of Regents member JC Risewick said at a recent meeting in Iowa City. "I think it adds to the pedigree of the school. There are only 700 people or so who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for example."

The college also has the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center and the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital.

The newly named Frederick Douglass Patterson Hall houses the primary academic centers, classrooms, college administrative offices, academic department offices, research laboratories, library, main entrance, and common spaces.

Why is Patterson's legacy receiving this honor?

Patterson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan in 1987 in recognition of his lifetime of leadership and success in education. He passed away in 1988.

"In my personal opinion, I would rank him up there with (George Washington) Carver and (John Vincent) Atanasoff and all of those who also have buildings named after them on campus," Gieseke said. "They were all alumni and accomplished great things."

When asked why the college decided to name the academic center at all, Gieseke's response was simple.

"Why not?" he said. "It's a wonderful opportunity to honor this individual."

Patterson was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Prairie View Normal School where he met Dr. Edward B. Evans, who graduated from Iowa State and the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1918. Evans mentored Patterson and encouraged him to enroll at Iowa State . Patterson was the first African American graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1923 and went on to earn a master's degree.

His Ph.D. was from Cornell University.

“In the veterinary program, I did not feel odd being a part of the group of students working in the veterinary clinic, although I was the only black person there,” Patterson wrote in his autobiography, Chronicles of Faith. “The absence of animosity encouraged me to see veterinary medicine as a field in which I could practice without being hampered by the racial stereotypes and obstacles that would confront me as a medical doctor, for example. I found the teachers of Iowa State helpful whenever I approached them. Educationally, it was a fine experience.”

A unique connection with a local pioneer

During his years in Ames, Patterson roomed with fellow student James Herman Banning, who compiled an illustrious career as an aeronautics pioneer until his early death in 1933. The City of Ames recently renamed the municipal airport after Banning.

Banning had a significant effect on Patterson and the nation. While president of Tuskegee Institute, a historical Black college, Patterson convinced the military to establish an on-campus airbase for the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots and support staff who served in WWII.

Patterson also founded the Tuskegee Institute's Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Engineering. In retirement, he created the United Negro College Fund which has raised almost $5 billion for scholarships for African American students.

Patterson's Medal of Honor is inscribed: "...by his inspiring example of personal excellence and unselfish dedication, he taught the nation that, in this land of freedom, no mind should go to waste.”

The ISU College of Veterinary Medicine stated in documents presented to the Iowa Board of Regents that it sought and received feedback and support from campus leaders, students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders.

The President’s Advisory Committee on Naming University Property reviewed and recommended the proposal. Dr. Patterson’s family descendants are likewise supportive, the documents stated.

The college's Communications Director, Dave Gieseke, said there are no plans to name any more buildings to honor donors or alums.

Teresa Kay Albertson covers politics, crime, courts and local government in Ames and central Iowa for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register. Reach her on Twitter @TeresaAlberts11 and at talbertson@registermedia.com, 515-419-6098.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: ISU honors first African American graduate of vet med college