Dr. James Patton

James Patton graduated from Stroud High School in 1958, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in industrial education from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Patton’s first job in education was a junior high principal and industrial arts instructor in Cresent, Oklahoma, before moving on to a similar role in Chickasha.

Patton moved to the Tulsa area in 1966 to teach drafting and coach at Edison High School, while earning a master’s degree in Public School Administration from Northeastern State University in 1970. He became high school Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Owasso Public Schools in 1974, where his passion for facility development began to grow, as he assisted with Phase I of the Owasso High School project.

In 1976, Patton became Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Business Management for Union Public Schools, the fastest growing public school district in the state of Oklahoma at that time. He was integral in the planning and development of elementary schools, middle schools, high school expansions, a Performing Arts Center, and numerous sports facility expansions.

In 1987, Patton joined Tulsa Tech as Lemley Campus Director and worked to earn a Doctorate of Education in Occupational and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University in 1989. He was later named Associate Superintendent, helping lead the Peoria Campus facility additions of an auditorium, cafeteria and administration offices, which were completed in 1993.

Patton has been a valuable consultant to Tulsa Tech since, helping in the planning and development of the Riverside Campus, Health Sciences Center on the Lemley Memorial Campus, the expansion of the Broken Arrow Campus in 2010, as well as the opening of both the Owasso Campus and Sand Springs Campus in 2013, and continues in the development of future facility needs for the District.