Patterson Stays!

by Tammi Reed Ledbetter                                                                                                                     Vol. IV, No. 9, December 1991

Paige Patterson, earlier reported fired by Criswell College trustees, was reinstated by the same board on 5 November. Trustees had voted 14-1 to fire Patterson in executive session 28 October. Specifically, trustees offered Patterson a "promotion" to vice-chancellor for one year at his current salary. After that year he would have departed.

In protest, over 90 percent of the 335 students threatened to leave immediately and of the 30 regents all 26 who could be reached resigned 1 November. The trustees are the college's governing board while regents are an advisory board of prominent Southern Baptists who primarily assist in fund raising.

Joel Gregory, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, organized a meeting at the Hyatt-Regency D-FW where he met with trustees, half a dozen regents, and chancellor, W. A. Criswell. Criswell founded the school in 1970. After becoming president of the school in 1975, Patterson led it to degree granting status with bachelor and master level studies.

Appeals for Patterson's reinstatement were made in person by regents chairman Jack Graham, Adrian Rogers, Charles Stanley, Jerry Vines, Tom Eliff, and Ronnie Floyd.

School supporters have objected to the absence of alumni and ministers on the trustees. Deacons at First Baptist, Dallas approve the trustees, and the board has evolved over its 21 year history to be composed entirely of businessmen. Pastors who served in recent years were not reelected for second terms.

Critics of the school trustees charged the timing of the surprise move was intentioned to throw conservatives into disarray one week before the Baptist General Convention of Texas meets in Waco to decide the fate of Baylor University. One-fourth of the trustees have family ties to Baylor, including the chairman and vice-chairman. [BP and phone calls.]