University of Illinois professor, Dr. William Patterson, was honored April 5 at a reception that recognized local school alumni.
The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation paid tribute Friday to Patterson as a distinguished alumnus. The 58-year-old died unexpectedly earlier in the week.
Debarah McFarland is one of Patterson’s first cousins and said his real name is Maurice and their family called him “Reesy”
She added that he broke barriers for them in education while integrating black culture. One example is his organization, Ghetto Genius, which mixes Hip-Hop music with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEAM).
But his impact started much earlier.
“Reesy” was a leader for a lot of older people even in the neighborhood,” McFarland said.
She continued by saying, “People were following him. He was not a follower. He was a leader. And the fact that he was doing things positively even at that age, a lot of people, underneath him or even older him, we followed because we trusted him. And we had a good time because he’s a good person. His heart was right. “
Patterson graduated from Urbana High School in 1984.
He earned many degrees including a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
The programs he initiated brought STEM lessons to children in under resourced neighborhoods around Central Illinois.
Among the other distinguished alumni who were honored was Shandra Summerville of the Champaign County Mental Health Board, artist Angela Rivers, and healthcare attorney. Stacy Walton Long.