Diane Patrick (1970) has established an endowed professorship in Political Science through a deferred gift to honor her late husband, Bob Patrick (1969, 1970, History), and former political science professor, Orma Linford. Dr. Linford was a central member of the department for decades and is credited with building the pre-law program at KSU. A staunch defender of civil liberties, Dr. Linford was known for her humanitarianism. Bob Patrick went on from KSU to have a distinguished career in environmental law at the Environmental Protection Agency where he served as Senior Attorney and Regional Judicial Officer.
Diane had a career in state government and nonprofit service where she worked to empower low-income families and to strengthen disenfranchised urban and rural neighborhoods. Bob and Diane have always valued education and they are especially appreciative of their K-State years. The Linford-Patrick Professorship demonstrates their commitment to K-State Political Science by providing an endowment to recruit or retain a high caliber faculty member in the department. The faculty member holding the professorship will continue Orma Linford’s legacy by focusing on civil rights, human rights and diversity.
The department is extremely appreciative of the Patrick’s commitment to our department and their generous contribution to the education of future K-Staters.