Former Oglethorpe University President Manning Pattillo Dies at 104

Former Oglethorpe University President Dr. Manning Pattillo died Sunday, June 2 at the age of 104. He was a highly regarded national figure in higher education.

Pattillo was one of Oglethorpe’s most important presidents, earning the distinction of university chancellor and chairman emeritus of Oglethorpe’s board of trustees, a news release states.

Pattillo led the university from 1975 to 1988. He was instrumental in helping Oglethorpe gain national recognition and improve its academic reputation. The average SAT score of incoming students increased by 250 points during his tenure, and faculty degrees and qualifications were a strategic priority.

Pattillo remained active in higher education and the Oglethorpe campus community after his retirement, according to the press release, including participating in 47 Oglethorpe commencement ceremonies from 1976 to 2022.

“Oglethorpe University is the university it is today because of the leadership of Manning Pattillo,” said Dr. Kathryn McClymond, current Oglethorpe president. “It warmed my heart to see him at my 2022 commencement, my first at Oglethorpe, and I am aware of his legacy as I seek to lead Oglethorpe to become the premier undergraduate learning experience in Atlanta during this important and continuing chapter of our history.”

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on October 11, 1919, Pattillo received his bachelor of arts degree from Southern University in Sewanee, Tennessee, and his master’s and doctorate degrees. from the University of Chicago.

Prior to his tenure at Oglethorpe, Pattillo was a professor at the University of Chicago for seven years, served as associate secretary of the North Central Association’s Commission on Colleges and Universities, and worked for numerous foundations, including the Lilly Endowment, the Danforth Foundation and the Foundation Center in New York.

He came to Oglethorpe from the University of Rochester in New York and had previously served as chancellor of St. Mary’s College in Maryland.

“Dr. Pattillo was strongly committed to maintaining Oglethorpe as an undergraduate liberal arts college,” said Oglethorpe University Librarian Eli. Arnold. “The Pattillo years would see the creation of the Freshman Seminar, something that was only recently resurrected in 2022; a change at Oglethorpe Athletics, making it more competitive and more stable compared to its previous years; improvements to buildings, such as Hearst Hall; and other budgetary and accreditation changes.

Pattillo was married to Martha Aileen Crawford Pattillo for 56 years before her death in 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Martha Crawford Pattillo; his youngest son, John Landrum Pattillo; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Oglethorpe University through an online contribution or by mail to 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319, or to Lenbrook Square Foundation, Inc., for the Friends program of the Arts, 3747 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319.

Services will be June 15 at Lenbrook-Atlanta, 3747 Peachtree Road, Atlanta.