Charles Patterson was born in High Point, North Carolina, in 1939 and has always maintained close ties to the Triad. Patterson attended Davidson College, then worked as a personnel psychologist in the Army. Patterson recounts the tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, Patterson worked briefly for Duke Power before joining development and college fundraising at Meredith College. Patterson describes his years fundraising for different colleges, paying special attention to The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and Wake Forest University. He discusses major contributors to UNCG such as Joseph Bryan and Chuck Hayes. Patterson also talks about his involvement with the Rotary Clubs in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. He relates the changing nature of Greensboro, particularly of the growth of philanthropy and the strengthening of the local colleges. Patterson also discusses the future of Greensboro and the Triad, urging greater community cohesion to bolster business.
