From STEM Aspirations to a Legacy of Gratitude and Generosity

Growing up in Milwaukee and as a high-achieving STEM student, Demetrius Patterson '96 knew he wanted to pursue a career in computer science. Upon applying to colleges, he was accepted to his No. 1 choice, Duke University, and to his second choice, Morehouse College.

"The main factor in my decision to attend Morehouse was the full scholarship I was offered to become a NASA scholar. Having my tuition, room and board, and books covered, plus paid summer internships, was something I couldn't turn down," said Patterson, a senior director of engineering at S&P, who has spent over 30 years in the industry, including 26 years at The Coca-Cola Co.

Attributing his corporate success directly to the institution that transformed him from a boy into a Morehouse Man, Patterson has, in turn, updated his estate plan by creating a living trust and adding more assets to it.

In collaboration with his wife, Merlina, the two decided that the $300,000 would fund one student's full four-year scholarship, including tuition, room and board, and books.

"My Morehouse education directly led to a successful career that has allowed me to put my two sons through college, and I hope this gift can continue to do that for someone else," said the proud father and devoted husband. "The goal of my planned gift is to give another kid like me the life-changing opportunity that Morehouse gave me."

In a time of political unrest and rising college costs, Patterson believes Morehouse Men must step up and hold the mantle for future Morehouse Men.

"With political winds shifting back and forth and threatening the progress that has been made, we need to do all we can to educate Black men to compete and make meaningful contributions to society," said Patterson. "Schools like Morehouse need to have a healthy endowment, and setting up planned gifts, in addition to annual gifts, can help to solidify that endowment as generations of men matriculate through Morehouse."