Robert K. Patrick:
Outstanding Undergraduate in Liberal Arts
2006-2007

Dean Ann Marie Ellis made the following presentation during the annual Liberal Arts Awards ceremony, April 19, 2007

The Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Liberal Arts, Robert K. Patrick, is a Geography major with a minor in International Studies. He has made the Dean's List each semester with a perfect 4.00 GPA. His academic awards from the Department of Geography include the Sally Ann Karnau Scholarship, an Elizabeth Sterry Award, and a Rand McNally Award.

Robert's work experience is varied and extremely impressive. In 2002, he spent June and July at NASA's Johnson Space Center, interning for the Jupiter Facility in Mission Control. From November 2006 until February 2007, he held an internship in Rome at the U.N. World Food Programme. For two years he has worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Partnership Program, serving as Administrative Assistant and Technical Advisor, as well as Web Designer. This semester he managed a team of college graduates, doing fieldwork in eight of Texas' most populated counties, as part of a high profile research project for the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition, he has "certification skills and abilities" in 14 computer programs and systems, and a private pilot's license in progress.

In nominating him for Outstanding Undergraduate, Dr. Bob Larsen [Professor of Geography] wrote, "Robert has a high aptitude for grasping complex problems, and a very inquisitive nature . . . his dedication goes unparalleled" and, Dr. Larsen wrote, "he is a genuine renaissance man, a true professional, possessing the utmost sincerity."

We are delighted that after graduation in August, Robert plans to pursue a Master's degree in International Studies here at Texas State.