Regents approve Patterson to lead Nevada State College

The Board of Regents unanimously approved Bart Patterson as the interim president of Nevada State College on Friday. He will begin Nov. 1.

Patterson, the higher education system's vice chancellor of administrative and legal affairs, will replace Lesley Di Mare. She accepted a job as the president of a university in Colorado.

Patterson received a standing ovation at the board meeting after the vote.

He had called the opportunity to lead the state's newest college an honor.

Spencer Stewart, the college's associate vice president of college relations, has been at the college since the beginning 10 years ago.

"I don't think there's a soul in the system who doesn't like Bart," Stewart said. "He will be a great fit for Nevada State College."

He said Patterson met with campus leaders Thursday night and expressed his support for the college.

Patterson joined the system in 2001 after a career as a private attorney. He served as the system's chief counsel before taking his current position in 2009.

Robin Herlands, the faculty senate chair, said there was great support on campus for the current administration. She said Patterson's appointment only cements that.

She said he has worked closely with Nevada State's faculty and administration and has taught courses there. Because he has been with the system for so long, she said, he knows how things work.

Patterson is taking the helm at the college at a critical time. While searches are under way at Nevada State and Great Basin colleges and the University of Nevada, Reno, the entire higher education system is dealing with budget cuts.

Nevada State's state support was cut more than most this year, 30 percent.

Despite that, enrollment there is expected to climb from 3,000 this semester, while enrollment at the College of Southern Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, will probably decline slightly.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.